Fish are fantastic pets, but they’re not the cleanest animals on the planet. Whenever fish do their business, everything is left floating around in the tank for all to see. If you want to keep an aquarium clean and make sure the water is healthy for your fish, you’re going to need a filter. As such, an aquarium filter is a must-have for any fish tank, even a small one. It’s one important factor in providing a suitable home for your fish or other aquatic critters.

There are more aquarium filters than ever on the market today and finding one that will do the job and last more than a couple months can be a challenge task. So we have done the legwork for you and summarized a list of 8 best aquarium filters out there.

MarineLand Penguin Bio-Wheel Power Filter

Help keep your aquarium in tip-top condition with Marineland’s Penguin 75 Power Filter! This device offers three-stage biological, mechanical and chemical filtration with a flow rate of 75 gallons per hour (GPH), making it a great option for 10-gallon aquariums. And to help keep the water clean, this power filter comes with a Rite-Size “A” filter cartridge that helps remove waste, discoloration and odors. And with zero air pump valves or tubing, this power filter requires virtually no set-up!

The Penguin 75 BIO-Wheel Power Filter brings Penguin’s 3-stage filtration technology to aquariums up to 10 gallons. The 75 is ideal for new aquariums as well as establish tanks in need of an upgrade.



Aqua-Tech Power Aquarium Filter w/ 3-Step Filtration

Filters are a very important piece of equipment in an aquarium and critical to your aquarium’s success. The job of the filter is to move the water through the filter cartridge where it is processed to remove odors and small particles of waste and through the BIO-Fiber to eliminate the toxic ammonia and nitrites from the aquarium water. Each of the AQUA-Tech Power Filters provides 3-stage filtration for fish and cleaner water.

All Aqua-Tech Power Filters comes with a two-year warranty. Comes with one AQUA-Tech EZ-Change #3 Filter Cartridge Traps dirt, removes impurities and offers maximum water to carbon contact.



Tetra Whisper Internal Aquarium Power Filter with Air Pump

For the ultimate in convenience and quiet, choose a Whisper In-Tank Filter. These filters mount on the inside of the aquarium, rather than hanging from the outside — making it possible to place the tank flush against a wall. In-Tank Filters are unusually quiet, since the motor is under the water. Offering the same quality and performance as an external filter, the Whisper In-Tank Filter will function in as little as 2 inches of water — making it ideal for turtle tanks, or for creating a waterfall inside the tank.

The Whisper In-Tank filter is an all-in-one air pump and water filter system. Features adjusts easily to high or low water levels with mounting suction cups and/or bracket. Each filter comes with one pre-assembled Whisper Bio-Bag filter cartridge.



Fluval Aquarium Power Filter

The Fluval Power Filter is designed to keep your aquarium water sparkling clean with five full stages of filtration. The extensive five-stage filter system includes two mechanical, one chemical and two biological filter chambers, while most filters only have one of each type. This filter is designed to trap large and fine debris and remove dangerous toxins all while cultivating good bacteria for a healthy environment for your finned friends. The mechanical filtration is performed by a thick poly/foam that traps debris. During the chemical stage, activated carbon removes toxins from the water.

In the final biological stages, a Bio-Screen pad promotes healthy bacterial growth and contributes to fast and effective nitrification. Equipped with Poly/Foam, Activated Carbon, C-nodes and drip tray pad. -Biological filtration is super charged for fast and efficient nitrification.



AquaClear Biomax Filter Insert

Maintain a healthy, clean aquarium by growing beneficial bacteria with the AquaClear BioMax Filter Insert. One of the most effective ways to maintain good water quality and keep your fish thriving is by seeding your aquarium with good bacteria. This bacteria breaks down harmful ammonia and nitrite from fish waste and other organic matter and starts the essential nitrogen cycle in your aquarium.

Prepackaged in a mesh bag for easy installation, BioMax’s complex bio-ring pore structure allows beneficial, toxin-reducing bacteria to thrive, which in turn increases biological filtration efficiency by up to 30%. Exclusively designed to fit the AquaClear Mini CycleGuard Power Filter, Size 20, this BioMax filter insert is suitable for fresh and saltwater aquariums.



Marina Aquarium Power Filter

The Marina Power Filter for Aquariums features a unique, compact design with quick startup and quiet operation. Installation is easy with no priming required, and maintenance is simple and convenient. The filter comes with two filter cartridges: a Bio-Carb and a Bio-Clear. Both contain Ceramitek, a highly porous ceramic filter medium that provides biological filtration for a healthier aquarium. The Marina Power Filter is equipped with an adjustable flow control and includes a strainer sponge to keep smaller fish from being pulled into the filter.

 Its motor is submerged in the water and operates very quietly. Installation and start-up is easy – no priming required. Just plug it in and watch it go! Maintenance is quick, simple and convenient.



Aqueon QuietFlow LED PRO Aquarium Power Filter

Keep your finned friends happy and healthy with the powerful cleaning action of the Aqueon QuietFlow LED PRO Aquarium Power Filter. This filter is designed with a strong but quiet submersible pump that is conveniently self-priming on setup or after tank cleanings. It exposes the tank water to oxygen for cleaner water and more active fish all while removing debris and toxic ammonia. With five stages of filtration, including mechanical, chemical and biological, your fishy family members will benefit from clean and clear water. Best of all, it features an LED light that lets you know when it’s time to replace the cartridge!

Easy-to-replace filter cartridge contains 25% more activated carbon than the leading brands to effectively remove dissolved organic waste materials. High flow rates ensure a highly dissolved oxygen content for more active fish.



Seachem Tidal Power Aquarium Filter

The fully adjustable flow regulation feature on the Tidal Power Filter adjusts performance to a specific aquarium volume, type, or provide an environment for fish that prefer more or less water movement or oxygenation. Adjust the dial from anywhere between 450 gallons per hour down to a gentle 90 gallons per hour.

The surface skimmer on the Tidal Power Filter will capture the water from just below the surface, where excreted fish oils accumulate, as well as deeper in the tank to remove floating debris. The surface skimmer on the Tidal Power Filter will capture the water from just below the surface, where excreted fish oils accumulate, as well as deeper in the tank to remove floating debris. Seachem’s philosophy is that the knowledgeable hobbyist makes the best customer. This is reflected in solid and reliable customer education and support as well as products proven in science and performance.