Top Fish Tank Filters
Clean and safe water is essential, especially for the fish that reside in them. For fish living inside an aquarium, it is vital to provide them with fish tank filters that offer superior filtration performance. It is so they can thrive and live longer, even in an artificial abode.
A Must-Read: Top Fishing Accessories
Below are some of the best filtration systems that are leading the market of fish tank filters. These filters are carefully chosen to help you make a wiser purchasing decision. Check them out!
Are Fish Tank Filters Important?
Before anything else, fish tank filters play a vital role in keeping your fish healthy and thriving. It is in charge of maintaining the water in the tank clean and safe for your pet. To give you an idea of the benefit they provide, below are some of the fish tank filter system functions.
Mechanical Function Of A Fish Tank Filter
In a fish tank, expect to see the debris of fish food and dust particles in the water. Among the mechanical functions of a fish tank, the filter is to remove such debris and other wastes that are visible in the tank.
Right after using a fish tank filter, the water inside the tank turns clearer and cleaner. Fish needs clean and healthier water to have a healthier place to live.
Chemical Function Of A Fish Tank Filter
Water can come from different sources. It means that the water inside your fish tank may contain foreign materials that can calm your pet. For this reason, you need a reliable fish tank filter that can help to remove these materials from the water.
Different types of fish tank filters work differently in cleaning and purifying the water inside the aquarium. When you utilize the right fish tank filtration system, you can expect your pet to swim in a safe environment.
Fish Tank Filter’s Biological Function
The grills of fish produce ammonia when they breathe. It is among the waste that they release while living underwater.
Tank filters help to remove ammonia from the water because this chemical can be harmful to your pets. If pet owners ignore this, the fish swimming in an aquarium filled with ammonia might end up sick or, worse, dead.
It is the reason why a fish tank filter is considered a vital addition to an aquarium. It helps to remove all forms of wastes that the fish biologically produce.
Some pet owners are wondering why their pets suddenly die while living in a tank. Little did they know that the aquarium water is already full of ammonia. Of course, you can prevent this from happening to your fish using a reliable fish tank filter.
Things To Consider Before Buying A Fish Tank Filter
Here is a quick view of what features to opt for in a reliable filtration system:
- Filter Capacity – Not all filters can work in every tank size. Always check for a filter that can accommodate the size of your tank.
- Filtration Technology – Manufacturers equip their filters with different filtration technology that provides different results.
- Filter Brand – Choose a filter that is manufactured by a reliable brand to avoid buying low-quality filters.
- Filter’s Water-Flow Rate – You must also ensure that the filter you purchase offers a higher water flow rate. Doing so will allow you to get a fast-performing fish tank filter.
Top 10 Fish Tank Filters
Have you decided to purchase a filtration system for your fish aquarium? Below are some of the top fish tank filters that you can find. It may include different types of fish tank filters such as under gravel filters, air-driven internal tank filters, canister filters, power filters, and wet/dry filters. Let’s get into it.
Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filter

This filtration system can work for both saltwater and freshwater fish tanks, providing a wide array of functions. It is the reason why many fish owners are going after it. Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filter is applicable for different aquarium types, with a size that is ranging from 10 to 200 gallons.
Aside from that, this fish tank filter offers a reliable 350-GPH water flow once switched on. But make sure to maintain it well to keep its effective and efficient performance.
Unlike other filtration systems, Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filter can start with just one button press. Also, it features a 360-degree rotation that provides better filtration of the fish aquarium.
Among the advantages of this filter is its large tank that can last longer before replacement. It is also constructed with durable and long-lasting materials that can maintain the cleanliness and safety of the water inside your fish tank for a long time.
MarineLand Magniflow Canister Filter

If you are opting for a watertight fish tank filter, MarineLand Magniflow Canister Filter is ideal for you. It comes with a canister lid design that reduces the overall weight of the tank through its lightweight seal.
Aside from that, it prevents leaks, especially in terms of water filtration. It means that no substantial amount of water will be wasted.
This filter also includes a polishing filter pad that helps to remove the fine debris of foreign materials in the aquarium water. As a result, your fish can swim in cleaner and clearer water without having to worry about their health.
MarineLand Magniflow Canister Filter is empowered with bio-filter balls as well as ceramic rings. These components are essential because they provide a multifaceted surface where bio spires can thrive and reproduce.
Knowing this, you can expect that your fish tank will have more bio spires and cleaner water with the help of these features.
This fish tank filtration system also arrives with the traditional black diamond carbon essential for eliminating odors, water impurities, and discoloration in the water. It helps to ensure that clean water is being pumped back into the fish tank.
Fluval All New Performance Canister Filter

Another leading fish tank filter is Fluval All New Performance Canister Filter. This filtration system boasts a superior filtering performance that is ideal for all types and sizes of aquariums. It also works for both saltwater and freshwater tanks.
Aside from its versatility, it is also equipped with powerful motor technology that provides a faster filtration process. Because of these features, this filtration system claims to be better than most of its competitors.
You can utilize it with ease, even for beginners, because of its straightforward setup. It also arrives with a comprehensive guide that makes things more convenient.
This fish tank filter works quietly for fish owners who are opting for a discreet functioning filtration system. It produces fewer vibrations than other filters, and it undergoes a multi-stage filtration process that provides a high level of efficiency and quality.
EHEIM Classic External Canister Filter

EHEIM Classic External Canister Filter is a product that is equipped with a permo-elastic silicone sealing ring. It helps to keep the product sealed securely in the aquarium. Because of this feature, you no longer experience leakage that usually occurs with other fish tank filter models.
Also, this filtration system has filter sponges along with other types of loose filter media. As a result, this fish tank filter provides a higher working capability.
This product arrives with several accessories such as an inlet hose, spray bar, hose, and many more. All the essential components of a tank filter are packed in this great deal.
AquaClear Power 110 Volts Filter

Among the most popular fish tank filters is AquaClear Power 110 Volts Filter. It is manufactured by a reliable company that most pet owners trust.
This filtration system claims to be a versatile filter system, offering seven times larger filtration volume than other fish tank filters. It is also easy to install, and its pre-filtration system provides superior contact time with filtration media.
Aside from that, this tank filter integrates an energy-efficient pump that helps to lower operating costs. It is enhanced with BioMax, Cycle Guard, AquaClear Foam, and Activated Carbon to provide effective biological filtration and high-quality water.
Penn Plax Aquarium Cascade Canister Filter

For fish owners looking to get a heavy-duty fish tank filter, Penn Plax Aquarium Cascade Canister Filter is your best choice. It is made of high-quality and durable components, allowing it to provide long-lasting water filtration.
Among its benefits includes its superior performance. This tank filter can pump 265 gallons of water every hour, which applies to 100-gallon tanks.
Also, it is intended to provide an impressive filtration performance even when continuously used. This filter can keep the water in your fish tank clear and clean, so your fish can live healthily and happily.
Fluval Canister Filter

Fluval Canister Filter is designed to start automatically when the canister is filled with water. It does not require siphoning to begin the filtration process, making it far more convenient than traditional filtration systems.
This fish tank filter features a purge valve drain located at its base. The purpose of this component is to assist in draining the canister for easier maintenance.
It also has a spout that you can adjust to let multiple streams of purified water to varying sides of the fish tank. Aside from that, the mouth of this canister is round and wide. These features allow faster water siphoning into the canister.
SunSun Pro Canister Filter Kit

SunSun Pro Canister Filter Kit is another canister type filtration system that provides wide-ranging benefits for fish owners. It is ideal for large-sized aquariums and has a design that works with different aquarium sizes up to 150 gallons.
Also, it can provide high-quality results, especially in terms of ensuring that the water in the tank is always clean and clear. It also offers a speed of 525 GPH, making it faster compared to other filtration systems.
With the help of its three-stage filtration process, this product can keep your fish thriving in a healthy environment. SunSun Pro Canister Filter Kit works by removing harmful elements in the aquarium water, including harmful algae and bacteria that may kill your pet.
Eheim Classic Fish Tank Filter

Most fish owners desire a fish tank filter with improved performance, better technology, and high-level efficiency. Eheim Classic Filter offers all of these characteristics in one product that utilizes a one-chamber design.
This design is intended to allow easier installation of different filter types from Eheim so you can swap them easily with another when you need to.
On the other hand, Eheim recommends maintenance after three to six months of using this fish tank filter. Unlike other fish tanks, this unit is easier to maintain and longer to use.
Meanwhile, one of its advantages includes the minimum effort it requires to operate and maintain. Another is its one-chamber design that allows easy installation.
NO.17 Submersible Aquarium Internal Filter
This fish tank filter is ideal for 10 to 50-gallon aquariums. It is a discreet filter that can keep the water in your fish tank clean without producing so much vibrating sounds.
When it encounters debris and other waste products in the water, it traps them inside its filters. It returns the purified water inside the aquarium.
This filter only requires 8 watts while providing a power filtration performance. With this tank, you can save money from its power-efficient potential and its money-back superior results.
Conclusion
To conclude, fish tank filters play a vital role in keeping your fish alive inside an aquarium. First, it helps remove debris that may harm your fish and prevent ammonia from filling the tank. Fish tank filters generally keep the water inside your fish aquarium clear, clean, and safe for your pets.
Second, it keeps the water healthy to support the healthy growth of your fish. Aquariums can’t provide the same benefits offered by the natural bodies of water. Yet, if it integrates a reliable fish tank filter, it can keep your pet healthy and promote longevity.