People have different reasons for keeping pet fishes. Some find their presence soothing and relaxing, while others like the responsibility of taking care of something. But regardless of your thoughts, you can’t deny that having a pet fish is a lot of responsibility. Besides the fish, you have to pay close attention to its home – the aquarium – if you want to keep it alive for longer than a month. To do this, you need to clean the aquarium regularly and change its water. The good news is, if you get the best aquarium filter for large tanks, your job becomes more comfortable. In the following paragraphs, you’ll learn what a great aquarium looks like and which ones to buy.
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Guide to Choosing the Best Filter for Your Aquarium
So what do you need to know before buying a filter for your aquarium? Well, it’s best if you understood the basics of caring for fishes and aquariums. You probably already know that, so, here are six other things to consider when getting Aquarium filter for your large tanks.
Carbon Filter
Carbon filters are used in everything from facemasks to car engines. In aquarium filters, they are responsible for filtration – trapping and eliminating – organic and inorganic materials. They can also remove odor and color from the water. You shouldn’t even consider an aquarium filter if it doesn’t have a carbon filter.
BioScrubber
A BiosSrubber consists of two parts: the gas scrubber and the biological reactor. The bioreactor degrades organic materials that have been trapped by the filtration system. The water is then routed to the gas scrubber, where more impurities are removed. A BioScrubber isn’t necessary for proper function, but it can improve the quality of filtration.
Operating Sounds
During the action, some filters are almost soundless, while others sound like a V12 engine. Most aquarium owners agree that the quieter the filter, the better. A large percentage of the products on the list below are quiet, so you can easily select from the best products on the market.
Capacity
Aquarium filters come in various sizes and with different filtration capacities. If you buy an under-rated filter, you’ll never get clear water in your fish’s home. On the other hand, the only harm in getting an overrated filter is that you’ll spend more than you need to. It’s best to determine the size of your aquarium before you go shopping so you can get the right size.
Ease of Use
Can you assemble and install the aquarium without help? How often do you need to change the filters? Can you change the filters? These are questions you need to answer about whatever product you buy unless you have tons of experience handling aquariums.
Top 15 Best Aquarium Filter for Large Tanks
Let’s get to the core of this post – the products. Here are aquarium filters that will give you maximum value for your money.
MarineLand Penguin 350 BIO-Wheel Power Filter
The MarineLand Penguin filter is currently one of the most sophisticated aquarium filters available. It features several patented components, including a rotating BIO-Wheel that provides excellent wet/dry biological filtration. The filter works in multiple stages, with each phase addressing a different filtration need.
The multiple stages include mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration. MarineLand filter also features replaceable carbon filters that trap odor and further purifies the water. You can expect results of clear and well-oxygenated water for your pet fish. You should only use MarineLand Rite-Size Filter cartridges on this product.
Penn Plax Cascade 600 Submersible Aquarium Filter
Just like with the previous filter, the Penn Plax Cascade 600 also has a triple-filtration-stage design. This product also has an internal sponge that optimizes the colony of bacteria in the aquarium, keeping them within the right range – not too much and not too few. Penn Plax, the manufacturers, created the filter with a large filter cup that lets you choose your own filter medium. Talk about the power of choice!
Other options in this filter include a pump head with adjustable directional water flow; you can point the water in any direction. This filter also uses replaceable carbon filters that trap odor, color, and other water impurities.
Polar Aurora External Aquarium Filter
The Polar Aurora Filter is equipped with something called a Built-in Pump Kit Canister. This is simply a fancy word for an active filtration system in the product. Multiple trays ensure the product can handle your choice of filtration media without trouble. If you have a large tank, don’t worry because it can handle up to 75 gallons of water.
You can expect a slow but efficient output with this filter. The first time you use it, you’ll need to wait between 48 to 72 hours to get an entirely clear tank. But once you do, you can keep the product on for continuous and uninterrupted aquarium cleaning.
Fluval Underwater Filter
Fluval Underwater Filter is good for two things – biological and mechanical filtration. The mechanical filtration removes debris and physical impurities from the aquarium. Biological filtration is concerned with keeping the balance of bacteria colonies in the water – too much or too little can interfere with the fish’s health.
The Fluval Underwater filter can work well in both fresh and saltwater aquariums. Like all high-quality aquarium filters, it is silent, efficient, and energy-saving. The filter can handle up to 65 gallons of water. Its product package comes with two foam pads and two poly/carbon cartridges. You’ll need to buy their replacements.
XpertMatic 475GPH Submersible Aquarium Filter
If you’re looking for a high-end submersible filter, you won’t find anyone better than the XpertMatic 475GPH Aquarium filter. With a maximum filter capacity of up to 264 gallons, it has the most capacity among products on this list.
But that also means it is several times more expensive. We have to say that it’s a bargain for all the functionality you’re getting. The filter works silently, purifying the water in three different stages. Also, it oxygenates the tank, is easy to install, and easier to clean.
Tetra Whisper EX Silent Multi-Stage Power Filter for Aquariums
From its name alone, you can tell two things about this product: It is quiet and filters in three stages. The only other thing you need to know is that it’s Amazon’s choice. The filter has so many glowing reviews that amazon insists shoppers look at it before any other filter. Why?
The filter works 24 hours to move water along in the filter. This motion ensures that there is no debris or impurities in the tank. It’s also designed to extend the filter’s lifespan and minimize energy consumption. These features may not be impressive on their own, but remember that they work exactly as advertised. You’re not bound to experience any difficulty with the filter for a long time to come.
MarineLand Magnum Polishing Internal Canister Filter
Here’s another product by MarineLand. And like the first, it’s also highly recommended by Amazon. The product is a submersible self-priming filter that can be easily installed without stress. It has an effective filtration process that utilizes two separate filtration chambers.
The chambers have carbon filters by default, but you can customize them according to your needs. MarineLand Magnum Canister Filter has a capacity of up to 97 gallons, and it can efficiently filter almost 300 gallons every hour.
Marineland Magniflow Canister Filter for Aquariums
There are many things to say about this product, and it’s hard to know where to begin. It has a three-stage filtration system that will rid your fish’s home of every dirt and impurity. The product also allows you to direct the filtered outflow in any direction you want.
Unfortunately, Marineland Magniflow Filter can only handle aquariums with less than 55 gallons of water. Other than that, it is an excellent aquarium filter.
Whisper In-tank Filter with BioScrubber for Aquariums
If you need a silent, medium-capacity aquarium filter with efficient filtration processes, this is it. The Whisper In-tank filter meets and exceeds all exceptions. It has a 3-part action process that includes filtering debris from the water, removing biological impurities, and aerating the water.
The product can handle up to 40 gallons of water, and it can filter up to 125 gallons every hour. Furthermore, it’s efficient design makes it easy to install and easier to use.
Whisper IQ Power Filter for Aquariums, With Quiet Technology
The Whisper IQ Power Filter has a capacity of up to 60 gallons. That’s powerful enough to maintain most domestic aquariums. It’s so quiet that it gives off a sound of less than 4Db. Because it’s submersible, it has a self-priming feature that allows it to jump into action without any input from you.
Manufactured by Tetra, this filter can maintain the pH in your fish tank, clear the water, remove debris and excess bacteria colonies, and oxygenate the water. It’s recommended that you change the cartridges monthly for best results. You should only use Tetra Whisper bio-bag filters.
Fluval 207 Performance Canister Filter
The Fluval 207 Performance Canister has an ergonomic design that makes it easy to install and pleasant to observe. While fitting the filter, you might notice a single action locking clamp on the bottom. This is part of what makes the installation so efficient.
The filter also has a unique raised lip that increases the efficiency of the filtration process. You can expect absolute quiet from this filter. Any sounds could indicate problems with some of its components. The product rating isn’t clear, but users have reported high satisfaction with tanks of up to 45 gallons.
AquaClear Fish Tank Hang-on Filter
All AquaClear Filters have unique features. But one thing that sets this one apart is it’s unique contact-medium. The product functions by maximizing how much water it interacts with, and ultimately filters, at any given point. The implications of this superior contact technique is that it filters more water with less energy. Talk about efficiency!
It is suitable for tanks of up to 110 gallons of water, but it can filter up to 300 gallons of water effortlessly. If that isn’t enough reason to convince you, try this: it comes with a 2-year warranty. If you’re not pleased with the filter’s operations, or yours stops working within the warranty period, you can simply return it.
Seachem | Tidal Power Filter
Like the previous filter on this list, the Seachem Tidal Power Filter is mounted on the aquarium wall. It has a capacity of 75 gallons, which should be great if you have a large tank. Additionally, it can filter up to 350 gallons per hour. Considering its price, we’d say this filter is worth a shot.
Unfortunately, the Seachem Tidal Power Filter has some downsides, most notable is that it is louder than most aquarium filters. Additionally, some users have reported problems with the filtration system. Although these problems are rare, it’s still a good idea to keep them in mind if you’re going to purchase the unit.
Koller Products TOM Aquarium Internal Power Filter
With the capacity to handle a measly 10-gallon tank, the Koller TOM Aquarium Internal Power Filter doesn’t exactly belong on this list. But we’ve included it because it makes up for its lack of capacity in other ways. For example, it can filter up to 40 gallons of water every hour.
Additionally, this filter is easy to install and even easier to clean – you can simply slide out the water exit spout when something needs changing. The product can remove most impurities, including color, odor, and bio-debris from your aquarium. Koller TOM Aquarium Internal Power Filter can function both upright and lying down, and it’s designed to consume as little power as possible.
Aqua Clear – Fish Tank Filter
The Aqua Clear Fish Tank Filter isn’t submersible, which might be a let-down to you if you prefer seamless visuals in your aquarium. For individuals who don’t mind, this product is perfect simply because it gets the job done. It has capacity for a 50-gallon aquarium and can filter up to 250 gallons per hour.
Aqua Clear Fish Tank Filter uses a patented system to clean your aquarium, and it begins with an efficient method of refiltration and ends with clear water. For best performance, you should clean the aquarium every two weeks and change the carbon filter every month.
Water & Wood New 2 in 1 Underwater Air Driven Oxygen Releases Aquarium Fish Tank
Here we have a product that doubles as a chemical filter and an air-driven oxygen release fish tank. Many 2-in-1 products fail to deliver because they attempt to do too much. But this product is so reliable that Amazon recommends it.
The product consumes very little power as it draws water through its filtration system. It is also virtually noiseless. As water flows through the pump, the replaceable filter pad performs mechanical filtration while the filter’s bio sponge layer performs a biochemical filtration. As the water leaves the filter, it is oxygenated. All of this equals a pleased fish.
Conclusion
Getting a filter is only part of maintaining an aquarium. You also have to maintain the water conditions, pH levels, and temperature of the aquarium. You can manage the water conditions by getting aquarium supplements. Getting the best aquarium filter for large tanks will maintain the water’s pH levels without any input from you. The water temperature depends mostly on the kind of fish you have. Goldfish, for example, thrive best between 68° and 74° F. You can maintain this temperature by getting an aquarium heater. Finally, you need to clean your aquarium frequently, regardless of the kinds of filters and oxygenators you have in place.
