Freshwater Aquarium Buyers Guide: Filters

Your filter is quite possibly the most important item you will ever buy for your aquarium. The filter you choose will greatly impact your water quality, and health of your fish.

The most important guideline to keep in mind is that if you have a 20 gallon tank, you need at least a 20 gallon filter. If you have goldfish, you may even want to go higher.

Power Filters

These are by far the most common aquarium filters, especially for freshwater aquariums. These are the filters that you hook onto the back of your aquarium. The stem should be fully submerged in the water, which will gather floating particles in the water, that then get filtered through the filter pad.

The filter pad, which should be replaced at least every month, is usually filled with carbon or other media to neutralize ammonia, nitrates, and other toxins that contaminate the water.

Power filters are perfect for the beginner home aquarium owner because they are simple and low maitenance.

Recommended Power Filters

Penguin BIO-Wheel 100 Power Filter - up to 20 gallon

The feature that seperates this filter from most other filters is the use of the Bio-Wheel. This is basically just one more added filtration system that prevents waste and toxins from getting put back into the aquarium.

The product I've linked to is for aquariums up to 20 gallons, but this line of filters goes well into the 150 gallon range (though these are far more complex systems).

This filter is only $21.79 at That Fish Place similar filters without the Bio-Wheel are just about the same price. You can also get pads and replacement wheels for this filter for under $5.

AquaClear 30 Aquarium Power Filter - 20 to 30 gallon

This is my second favorite filter available. I actually used this on my first ever Cichlid tank, and I never had much problem with it. Though I really like the bio-wheel which is why this is my second choice.

It is also a little more expensive than the Penguin product, but less moving parts, means less chance of something breaking on you. However, this product has a warrenty covering and manufacturer defects.

You can get the Aquaclear 30 for under $30.

Discount Power Filters on Ebay

Under-gravel Filters

Under-gravel filters work by placing a series of plates underneath the gravel which pulls the waste and other floating particles below it. This type of filter only provides biological filtration benefits. However, many aquarium owners use these in addition to power filters to keep the water free of debris.

The main problem I see with these type of filters is the cleaning process. To remove the debris you have to take the filter out from under the gravel, and when you do the waste will end up back in the water. So when you do change the filter you will have to do a 50-75% water change.

Recommended Under-Gravel Filters

Since I don't ever use under-gravel filters, I unfortunately don't have any recommendations for you. However if you absolutely must have one, get a Top-fin under-gravel filter from PetSmart, they have a lifetime guarantee.

Cheap Under-Gravel Filters on Ebay

Canister Filters

Canister filters are usually used in larger tanks 30+ but I usually see them in larger 50+ gallon tanks. Though don't let me discourage you from using them for whatever tank you may have. Canister filters are hands down, the best at their job. Your water will be more clear than ever.

They usually cost a little more, but again, if you are serious about your aquarium hobby, I highly recommend them. And if you have a large saltwater tank (I know, not the right blog for this discussion) it is almost a must.

People typically hide these ugly filters underneath their tank in the stand, or behind it. The smaller canister fiilters aren't too loud, but if you have a high power canister filter, they can get a bit noisy, but not as bad as one would expect.

Recommended Canister Filters

Marineland C-220 Aquarium Canister Filter - up to 55 gallon

Nothing all that fancy about the Marineland Canister filter from tetra. Then why do I recommend it, you ask? Well it gets the job done and is easy to use. Like most Tetra products, this canister filter is made so that people with all different levels of experience can get it up and running in no time.

This is the only canister filter I've ever used, and I will continue to buy this filter for my larger tanks, because it just works.

This is one of the smaller models but other Marineland canister filters go up to 150 gallons if I believe. The 50 gallon model (pictured left) will only run you $154.99 and comes with a 3 year warrenty.

Cheap Canister Filters on Ebay

These are the 3 most common used filters, especially for beginners. I will continue to add to this post as time progresses.