Best Aquarium Filters: Reviews Of The Top Ones – 2023

The ideal aquarium is a closed ecosystem where all the inhabitants such as plants and animals live harmoniously with each other. Aquarium filter plays an important role in keeping up aquarium well being and it is hard for beginners to keep up the bio-balance at the required level without it. The main goal of the aquarium filters is to reduce to a minimum the level of decomposition concentration of organic substances in water.  

Filter selection is a difficult task for a beginner’s aquarist, because various types and brands are sold in the market. For taking right decision to buy the suitable filters, it is important to see how the filtration of aquarium water functions. In this case, this article will help you to know the best aquarium filters for your fish tank.

Review of Best Aquarium Filters

To save you a lot of money and times I have done deep research and reviewed top five best aquarium filters which you can try to buy for your various sizes fish tanks. You can also gather more information about each aquarium filter.

Comparison Table for Best Aquarium Filters

It’s time for us to go deep while discussing each and every filters that rocks in our list of Top 5 Best Aquarium Filters. Let’s get started…

Fluval FX6 External Filter Review

Fluval FX6 is a high- functioning external filter with a lot of remarkable features, designed to make upkeep of the aquarium easier and more convenient than ever. It has a great inside volume combined with smaller measurements, while it goes through itself 3,500 liters of water each hour, and enables you to furnish yourself with an enormous measure of filter materials, making the water cleaner, and aquarium inhabitants more healthy.

Filter materials are easily placed in special baskets which makes the filtration more efficient. Fluval FX 6 additionally offers ‘Smart Pump’ technology, which provides optimum filter performance.

It additionally provides a self-starting filter and removes air that can accumulate inside the system. Once every 12 hours, the pump stops and allows the gas to escape from the system, ensuring the best filtration efficiency at any time.

Key Features of Fluval FX6 External Filter

• Fluval FX6 is perfect for freshwater and marine aquariums;
• For aquariums up to 1500 liters;
• 10% less electricity;
• Easy self-start;
• Easy water replacement with intelligent pump technology;
• It has special monthly maintenance indicator;
• Easy and quick cleaning of the filter;
• Productivity – 3500 liters per hour;
• Automatic start system;
• AquaStop water system;
• Multi-stage cleaning ensures water purity
• A reliable water intake chamber;

Product Specification

• Manufacturer: Hagen
• Aquariums Comparability : 500 liters-1500 liters;
• Productivity: 3500 liters/hour;
• Flow Rate: 563 US GAL (2130 L) Per/hour;
• Power consumption: 41 watts;
• The volume of filtering materials: 5.9 liters;
• Number of containers: 3;
• Mechanical Area: 5 In² (2,100 Cm²);
• Dimensions (Length x Width x Height): 33 x 37 x 54 cm;
• Warranty: 2 years;
• Country of Origin: Italy;

Pros

• It has automatic start system;
• It has large volume of filter media;
• It provides crystal clear water;
• Improved motor engine which allows you to consume 10% less electricity;
• You can use it both for freshwater and marine aquariums;
• It has multi-stage cleaning system which ensures water purity;

Cons

• It is moderately portable;

Fluval FX6 filter is suitable for aquariums up to 400 gallons (1500 Liters). All things considered, it is the high-limit workhorse canister filter with enhanced engine innovation that gives better execution. It flows 3500 liters (925 gallons) of water each hour and enables you to devour 10% less electricity.

It additionally has an astonishing media limit that produces cleaner and more beneficial outcomes. This filter is exceptionally helpful to make your aquarium condition healthy and its occupants cheerful. So I unequivocally prescribe you to purchase this FLUVAL Fx6 filter for your aquarium.

AquaClear 20 Power Filter Review

AquaClear 20 power filter is a novelty in the technological market of aquarium maintenance from the company Hagen. AquaClear 20 power filter is an innovative, hanging filter, of high quality, providing highly efficient biological, mechanical and chemical water purification in your aquarium with an ideal habitat for fish.

It guarantees a long service life and maximum convenience in operation. This aquarium filter has an elegant form, perfectly fits into any aquarium. This filter refers to internal devices and has two independent cartridges that can be easily removed to replace filter media. It is quiet in operation, suitable for use in freshwater and marine aquariums.

In addition, AquaClear power filter monitors the pump’s performance and controls the amount of water passing through the filter, thus ensuring optimum filter performance and scooping the strictly required amount of energy.

The filter works almost silently, which will allow you to place it in an office aquarium or even in a bedroom. It is ideal for any nano-aquariums; you can use it for your comfort and safety of your aquarium pets.

Key Features of AquaClear 20 power filter

• Innovative, high quality;
• It provides highly effective biological, mechanical and chemical water purification;
• It is suitable for both freshwater and marine aquarium;
• It preserves beneficial bacteria for a stress free environment;
• It is an ideal for nano-aquariums;
• Convenient power regulator;
• Easy installation;
• Comes equipped with AquaClear Foam, Activated Carbon and BioMax;
• Low operating costs;
• 2 year warranty;

Product Specifications:

• Manufacturer: HagenFor;
• Aquariums Comparability: Up to 75 liters;
• Pump capacity: 380 liters per hour;
• Power consumption: 41 watts;
• Working voltage: 220-240 V;
• Possibility of adjustment: Yes;
• Processes from 78 to 128 liters per hour;
• Power cord length: 6 ft;
• Dimensions: 5 x 15 cm.

The Package Includes:

• Charcoal filter;
• Biomax filler;
• Assembly instruction;

Pros

• It is ideal for aquariums up to 20 gallons
• Low operating costs;
• Easy installation;
• It makes stress free environment;
• It is used for freshwater and marine aquariums;
• It guarantees a long service life;
• The filter works almost silently;
• 2 years warranty;

Cons

• It still makes the waterfall noise;

Other than AquaClear 20 filter, more models of AquaClear filters of different sizes are sold in the business sectors which incorporate the AquaClear 20, AquaClear 30, AquaClear 50, AquaClear 70 and AquaClear 110. Every one of these filters have same elements and advantages yet they are utilized for various measured tanks. For getting better performance, we prescribe higher model to ensure efficient filtration. The following table shows the different AquaClear filter models with some key features.

Filter Model	Tank Size	Flow Control Rate	Maximum Output	Power
AquaClear 20	5-20 gallons	33gph	100 gph	6 W
AquaClear 30	10-30 gallons	50 gph	150 gph	6 W
AquaClear 50	20-50 gallons	66 gph	200 gph	6 W
AquaClear 70	40-60 gallons	100 gph	300 gph	6 W
AquaClear 110	60-110 gallons	166 gph	500 gph	14 W

Over all, AquaClear filter is an exceptionally natural and exceedingly prescribed in the fish keeping group because of its superior filtration system. It has high proficient pump with high flow rate and low electricity consumption. It provides nearly silent operation with quiet, efficient, reliable, affordable and long term service life. To get boundless administration and execution, it is exceptionally prescribed to purchase this exquisite AquaClear filter for your aquarium.

Fluval C2 Power Filter Review

Fluval C2 power filter is the only 5-stage aquarium filter available today in the pet market with reasonable price. These multi-organize filters contain two mechanical filtration stages, an adaptable chemical filtration stage, and a double biological filtration system.

The power filter is intended to give most extreme surface territory and ideal time to occupy at all phases of the filtration process. First 2-stages mechanical filtration is performed by a thick layer of poly/foam that effectively catches large and small debris.

In chemical filtration stage, activated carbon, situated in an easily operated and removable basket, performs intensive chemical filtration and productively expels poisons.

In the last two biological stages, the Bio-screen mat gives a massive surface area for the biological friendly bacteria to colonize, plus it blocks the ingress of debris into a trickle-chamber loaded with C-nodes that are supercharged for quick and effective nitrification.

The filter is furnished with a full scope of filter materials. This filtration guarantees very effective cleaning and advancement of aquarium water with oxygen. It gives ideal water decontamination, comfort in taking care of and excellent work for a long time.

This Power Filter with protected re-filtration system empowers the power filter to moderate the water output while at the same time increasing filtration dwell time within the filter. The outcome is cleaner aquarium water and delicate water stream reasonable for delicate fish and plants.

Key Features of Fluval C2 Power Filter

• Ideal for use in 38 to 115 liters (10 to 30 gallons) aquariums;
• Quick easy maintenance;
• It is suitable for both in fresh or marine aquariums;
• Does not engage a useful space in the aquarium;
• Does not require a separate site for installation;
• It simply attaches to the wall of the aquarium;
• It is a HOB filter and works much like a canister filter;
• A reasonable price;
• It provides clear aquarium water with stress free environment.
• The filter comes complete with Poly / Foam, Activated Carbon, C-Knots and Pad Bio-Screen;

Product Specifications:

• Manufacturer: HagenFor
• Aquariums Comparability: 38 – 115 liters (10 – 30 Gallons);
• Pump capacity:450 liters per hour;
• 2-years warranty;

The Package Includes

• Poly/Foam
• Activated Carbon
• C-Nodes
• Bio-Screen Pad

Pros

• It is ideal for 38 to 115 liters(10 to 30 US gallons)aquariums;
• It is used in both freshwater and marine aquariums;
• It ensures complete cleanliness into your tank;
• Easy installation;
• Easy to clean;
• Provides long lasting service;
• A reasonable price;
• 2-years warranty;

Cons

• When you setup it in large aquarium, the system produces some sort of noise but shows wonderful beauty in your aquarium;
• The replacement media isn’t widely available;

Besides Fluval C2 filter, more models of various sizes are sold in the markets which include Fluval C3 and Fluval C4 power filters. All these filters have same features and benefits but they are used for different sized tanks. For getting better performance, we recommend higher model to ensure efficient filtration. The following table shows different Fluval C series power filters with some key features.

Model	Aquarium Size	Dimensions	Flow Rate
C2	10 – 30 Gallon	6″ x 4 1/2″ x 6 1/2″	119 Gallon per hour
C3	20 – 50 Gallon	7 1/4″ x 5″ x 61/2″	153 Gallon per hour
C4	40 – 70 Gallon	8 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ x 8 1/2″	264 Gallon per hour

After all, Fluval C2 is one of the most recognized brand filters for the aquarium. It is the hang on back (HOB) filter that works much like a canister filter. This filtration guarantees very effective cleaning and advancement of aquarium water with oxygen.

It gives ideal water decontamination, comfort in taking care of and excellent work for a long time. This 5-stage aquarium filter is available today in the tech market. To keep your aquarium environment healthy, we prescribe you to buy this 5-stage aquarium filter.

Hydor Professional External Filter Review

Recently, the well-known company, Hydor presented its innovation external aquarium filter which is known as Hydor Professional External Filter. This filter is made of durable plastic and has a rectangular cross-section, which allows you to perfectly install the filter in the corner of the pedestal for the aquarium. This type of canister filters have random self-opening, which ensures the integrity and reliability of the aquarium filter.

This filter works with three phases: mechanical, chemical and biological. The mechanical filtration system expels solid wastes from the water surface; chemical filtration with adsorbing filler allows removing harmful aquatic compounds from aquarium water, which adversely affect the life of aquarium fish and plant while the biological filtration supports for the development of helpful microorganisms living on the surface of ceramic rings that assistance to keep up water quality in your tank. Fine filter media effectively delays the smallest mechanical particles, which makes the aquarium water crystal clear while the filtering sponge allows filtering out large mechanical particles of debris and plant remains from aquarium water.

All filter elements and fillers are included in the filter kit. Each element is located in a separate basket, which makes it easy to remove the filter containers for rinsing or replacing. The tightly fitted basket in the container provides a good flow of water through the filter elements, which guarantees high-quality filtration and perfect water cleanliness in the aquarium. In this design, a modern ceramic rotor and an axle are used, so that the filter is practically silent in operation.

Key Features of Hydor Professional External Filter

• Noiseless operation;
• Low power consumption;
• Easy installation and start-up in the aquarium;
• Ease of maintenance and washing;
• Easy replacement of filter media;
• Elegant and stylish design;

The new line of external aquarium filters, Hydor Professional External Filter includes 5 models with different capacity of pumping, which allows you to choose the right model for your aquarium.

Model	Dimension	Aquariums (up to)	Filter Circulation	Pump Outlet	Power (Watts)
150	9.5″ x 7″ x 17″ high	20-40 g (80-150 l)	160 gph (600 lph)	190 gph (700 lph)	14 W
250	10″ x 8″ x 18″ high	40-75 g (140-250 l)	200 gph (750 lph)	225 gph (840 lph)	15 W
350	10″ x 8″ x 19″ high	60-100 g (230-350 l)	240 gph (900 lph)	280 gph (1050 lph)	22 W
450	11″ x 8.5″ x 22″ high	75-125 g (300-450 l)	260 gph (980 lph)	320 gph (1200 lph)	15 W
600	11″ x 8.5″ x 24″ high	90-150 g (380-600 l)	290 gph (1090 lph)	345 gph (1300 lph)	19 W

Filter Components Included

• Filter body
• Motor head
• Magnetic rotor with ceramic shaft
• Rotating lid
• In & Out taps
• O-ring motor head
• Lid of filtering material container
• Filtering material container
• U-shaped suction tube
• U-shaped delivery tube
• Pre-filter grid
• Clips with suction cup
• Flexible tubes
• Spray bar

Pros

• It is perfect for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums;
• Easy installation;
• It has different models with various size ranges from 20 to 150 gallons (80-600 liters);
• It can do excellent filter circulation up to 290 gallons (1090 liters) per hour;
• It is simple to use;
• It provides long lasting service;
• It is easy of maintenance and washing;
• Low power consumption;

Cons

• Replacement parts are not available due to new products in the market;
• It is moderately expensive than others filters;

Overall, this filter works with three phases: mechanical, chemical and biological. This canister filters also have five distinct sizes (up to 150 gallons or 600 liters) and it can be utilized for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. It is easy to set up, making your task much easier. If you would like to keep your aquarium inhabitants healthy and if you search for a smaller, simple to-utilize filter with three-stage filtration system, the Hydor Professional External Canister Filter may be the correct choice for you.

Eheim Classic External Canister Filter 2215 Review

Eheim Classic 2215 is an innovative, silent, external canister filter. It is an ideal for use in freshwater and marine aquarium. It allows achieving excellent results for any aquarium systems. With their low power consumption, these models set standards in this class. The Eheim 2215 external filter has a compact pump with large volume filler canister.

This filter is for aquarium up to 350 liters with a maximum pump capacity of 650 liters per hour. It works very quietly, ensures high pump efficiency and has a long service life. The Eheim filter canister design allows the use of a large number of fillers, making the Eheim filter more versatile. This filter is high quality, reliable and very effective.

Key Features of Eheim Classic External Canister Filter 2215

• Long-lasting;
• Low energy consumption;
• Universal Accessories;
• Easy installation and maintenance;
• It provides excellent biological filtration;
• It does not create any problem during operation;
• It is cheaper than other comparable filters for the same size aquariums;
• Silent operation;

The Kit Includes

• Hose 3 m 12/16,
• 4 suction cups with hose clip 12/16 mm,
• Sampling tube with mesh attachment,
• Flute,
• Drain elbow,
• Coarse cleaning sponge,
• Fine cleaning sponge,
• Double EHEIM 12/16 double tap.

Product Specifications:

• Manufacturer: Eheim (Germany);
• Aquarium size: up to 350 liters;
• Pump capacity: 620 liters per hour;
• Water lifting height:8 m;
• Power Consumption:15W;
• Size:185 x 185 x 370 mm;
• Filter circulation: 450 liter/hour;
• Distance from filter base to water surface: 180 cm;
• Filter capacity: 4.8 liters;
• Freshwater Aquarium: yes;
• Marine aquarium: yes;

Besides Eheim Classic External Canister Filter 2215, more models of various sizes are sold in the markets which include Eheim Classic 2211, Eheim Classic 2213, Eheim Classic 2217and Eheim Classic 2260. All these filters have same features and benefits but they are used for different sized tanks.

For getting better performance we recommend higher model to ensure efficient filtration. The following table shows different models with some key characteristics.

Model	Aquarium Size	Pump Capacity	Filter volume	Power consumption
Eheim Classic 2211	50-150 Liters	300 L/h	1.00 Liter	5 Watts
Eheim Classic 2213	80-250 Liters	440 L/h	3.00 Liters	8 Watts
Eheim Classic 2215	120-350 Liters	620 L/h	4.8 Liters	15 Watts
Eheim Classic 2217	180-600 Liters	1000 L/h	6.00 Liters	20 Watts
Eheim Classic 2260	300-1500 Liters	2400 L/h	18 Liters	65 Watts

Pros

• Easy installation;
• Ease of maintenance;
• It provides crystal clear water;
• Low energy consumption;.
• Noiseless operation;

Cons

• Parts for replacement are more expensive than other brands;

In the aquarium accessories market, there is a wide variety of water purification devices, and Eheim Classic External Canister Filter is one of the most common technical devices in this segment. Over the years, this model has been improved, and today the structure of modern external filters allows achieving the best results in the biomechanical and chemical processes of water purification.

To get unlimited service and performance, it is highly recommended to buy this gorgeous and very attractive Eheim Classic External Canister Filter for your aquarium.

Which Filter for the Aquarium is Better to Buy?

The choice of filter may depend on your budget, experience and the types of fish you want to keep. The quality of filtration depends on the volume of the filter material. For larger volumes and professional aquariums, more sophisticated equipment is needed, namely an external filter.

External filters are more expensive, a little more difficult to customize, but they are the best aquarium filters for your fish. Among all the filters we discussed earlier there are a few hob filters. If you like to know more about the best hob filters please click here.

For small aquariums, the best solution is to purchase an internal filter. It can be installed even with a small volume, while it is not so expensive, often performs aeration in combination with water cleaning, and it is easy to maintain. Different brands of filters for the aquarium can differ significantly in their filtration capacity, noise category and longevity. Well-established brands are usually more expensive, but may be more profitable in the long term.

Most people are satisfied with less expensive brands, since they meet their needs and budget. Overall, filter is a more perfect system for your aquarium, which makes the water optimally clean for the life of aquarium inhabitants.

Also Read: Best Substrate for Planted Tank: Choose the Best One

Final verdict

Filter plays a key part in keeping up aquarium well being and it is hard for beginners to keep up the bio-adjust at the required level without it. Generally speaking, a filter is a more ideal system for your aquarium, which makes the water ideally clean for the life of aquarium inhabitants.

To keep up aquarium water clean and your fish sound, you should dependably utilize best aquarium filters. In this purposes, we have taken deep market research and made a list of best aquarium filters to suit any financial plan or aquarium setup. You may pick the correct one for your aquarium from the above investigated filters that satisfy your prerequisites to keep your aquarium condition sound.