Top 10 Aquarium Filters

The filter is a container with a compressor and cleaning filler, which are sponges, coal components and other complex systems. According to the location of the device are divided into 2 types - internal and external.

Experts from the online magazine EXPERTOLOGY have selected the best aquarium pumps in terms of characteristics and reviews in two categories: indoor and outdoor devices.

Top Aquarium Filter Ratings

Best Internal Aquarium Filters

Internal type devices are great for small aquariums with a small number of inhabitants. Filters are a compact plastic cylinder, inside of which, besides the compressor, there are filtering layers of organic sponges and coal. Such devices are easy to maintain (clean), the risk of leakage is completely eliminated, they are economical in terms of price and electricity consumption.

JUWEL Bioflow 8.0 1000l / h

Rating: 4.9

The JUWEL Bioflow 8.0 water filtration system, rated for aquariums with a capacity of up to 500 liters, opens the rating, but it is not advisable to install it in a capacity of less than 350 liters. The filter of the increased volume of 8 l. operates in all directions: it captures solid waste, chemical impurities, sprawling colonies of bacteria. The active layers are easily removed and cleaned, there is access to the compressor and the heater for easy maintenance. The device is fixed on the inner wall with silicone glue included in the kit.

A special feature of the filter model is the double-flow principle of purification, the device creates different speeds of water movement: from above it is high to better capture solid and chemical impurities, from below it is slow to develop anaerobic bacteria and purify water from organic matter.

The JUWEL Bioflow 8.0 system works relatively silently for devices of similar productivity up to 1000 liters per hour, it is also possible to install a water heater of the same brand - together they form an organic circuit for uniform cleaning and distribution of the warm environment to all corners of the aquarium.

The JUWEL Bioflow 8.0 filter is ideal for a large aquarium with exotic inhabitants. It can be bought from 9,000 rubles.

EHEIM Biopower 240 L

Rating: 4.8

The second place was taken by a less productive, but very effective filter with a rotating pump and a modular design of EHEIM Biopower, designed for aquariums from 160 to 240 liters. It drives water through a complex of filter layers with a speed of up to 750 l / h. The direction of the liquid inside - from the bottom up, the active component - filler SUBSTRATpro, in combination with an organic sponge performs a comprehensive cleaning of solid particles and excess bacteria, the filter also supports nitrates at zero. There is a possibility of additional installation of a carbon filter (optional). The output is ideal for the quality of life of the fish water.

A feature of the system is a rotating pump, which sets the direction for the movement of water, imitating natural flows, additionally enriched with oxygen. The device is attached to the wall on the suction cup, complete with SUBSTRATpro plug-in modules.

Buy EHEIM Biopower 240 liters can be from 4 600 rubles.

JBL CristalProfi i200 greenline

Rating: 4.7

The internal corner filter for biological and mechanical cleaning of the JBL CristalProfi i200 greenline is designed for small aquariums up to 200 liters with adjustable flow from 300 to 720 liters / hour. Its feature is the possibility of expanding the modular filtering design, which collects contaminants and reliably blocks them; perfectly clean water flows into the tank. Nozzle can be turned up to 90⁰. The design on suckers fastens.

The active component of cleaning is anaerobic bacteria that process organic contaminants; a sponge retains mechanical particles. All modules are easy to clean.

The device is compact and ready to use, just connect it to the network and attach the flute to cut the water at the outlet. The cost of the JBL CristalProfi i200 greenline device is about 7,000 rubles.

AQUAEL Turbo 2000 h.max 1.9 m

Rating: 4.6

Aquael Turbo Aquarium Filter is designed for large aquariums up to 350 liters, it processes the liquid at the highest speed up to 2000 liters in one hour. At the same time, it spends only 27 W - an economical result, providing an energy-saving motor, high-quality gasket under the impeller, minimizing the loss of performance.

A feature of the filter design is the ability to install any filter blocks and sponge. Containers are equipped with a BIOCERAMAX 600 filler that traps nitrite and ammonium compounds. Additional containers can be purchased for deeper water purification (if necessary), then AQUAEL Turbo 2000 h.max 1.9 m can be used for larger tanks, including those densely populated with inhabitants. The direction of the water is conveniently changed by an ergonomic regulator.

A functional and efficient pump gets fourth place in the rating for its not the most aesthetic appearance and low-frequency hum, which creates discomfort for a person at night. In addition, the complete filter sponge is large for the container and requires pruning, otherwise the device “spits” with air due to insufficient flow of the flow. Noticed the heating of the motor. Thus, the device AQUAEL Turbo 2000 h.max 1.9 m is more suitable for large aquariums in living rooms or public institutions, but not in the bedroom, and will also require skilled hands of the master for maintenance. At the same time, the cost of the filter is quite budget - about 2,000 rubles.

Dennerle Nano Clean Eckfilter

Rating: 4.5

Dennerle Nano Clean Eckfilter, an angular design device with a minimum capacity of only 150 liters per hour in the category, suitable for servicing small aquariums up to 40 liters, closes the rating of internal aquarium filters. The pump has a quiet and stable operation, the output nozzle rotates at an angle of up to 90⁰. The filter purifies water from mechanical and bacteriological contaminants. The intake hole is very small, the sponge is finely porous, so the device can be used in aquariums with young shrimps and crustaceans.

It is easy to clean the filters, it is necessary to pull in the forward direction by the drain tube and remove the model block. To preserve anaerobic active bacteria, it is recommended to wash the filter in a bucket with water from the aquarium. The total power consumption does not exceed 2 W, the cost of the device fully corresponds to the functionality - about 1,700 rubles.

The best external filters for the aquarium

External installation filters differ from internal ones, first of all, in performance - it is much higher, and the dimensions of the devices are larger, the design of the case is more reliable - it does not contact with water directly. Modules are also distinguished by higher practicality and ease of maintenance. They do not spoil the aquarium composition, do not make much noise, can be installed near the tank or put into the pedestal stand.

Aqua Design Amano (ADA) Super Jet Filter ES-600

Rating: 4.9

The first in the rating is the external filter of the canister type ADA Super Jet Filter ES-600, which is preferred by experienced aquarium enthusiasts. The device is designed so that the water passing through the filter loads the pump to a minimum, which contributes to an increase in its service life.

The filter canister drives the water at a rate of 5.5 or 6.0 liters per minute, at the same time snatching and trapping excess organics, solids, chemical foreign elements. Along with cleaning, oxygen dissolves in a liquid medium, contributing to the growth of the activity of bacteria and microorganisms for natural filtration and recycling of waste.

The feature of the device is not just retention, but the dissolution of unwanted substances by anthracite and Bio Cube, which are included in the purchase kit. The undissolved components are retained in the NA Carbon activated carbon module, which is recommended to be changed every 2-3 weeks.

Please note: Aqua Design Amano aquarium external filter (ADA) Japanese-made Super Jet Filter ES-600 is designed for 100 volt mains operation. So that the pump does not burn out when the device is turned on, it is necessary to connect the plug to the network through a 220-100 V convector with a minimum power of 50W.

Aqua Design Amano (ADA) Super Jet Filter ES-600 is suitable for use with aquariums up to 45 cm high. You can buy it on average for 65,000 rubles.

EHEIM 2275 professional 4+ up to 600l

Rating: 4.8

The external filter of the German assembly EHEIM 2275 professional 4+ from 240 to 600 l is the safest for aquarium dwellers: its design integrates a suction device with a safety adapter that works with a capacity of 1250 liters per hour.The water inside the filter is freed from all impurities of different consistency, which are retained in the modules and are decomposed to the maximum by anaerobic bacteria.

A feature of the EHEIM 2275 professional 4+ filter is the presence of the ‘Xtender’ button, which redirects the internal water flow when the entrance to the device is restricted due to clogging with organic soft particles. This allows you to delay the cleaning of filters for several days without degrading the environment. The design also excludes airing (priming).

The cost of the filter is about 28,000 rubles.

JBL CristalProfi E901

Rating: 4.8

The third place is occupied by a device for cleaning aquariums up to 300 liters JBL CristalProfi E901. The device works quietly, creating an active circulation in the tank and driving it through at a speed of 900 liters per hour. The prefilter absorbs large particles, and the biological filler in the amount of 7.6 liters recycles turbid and solid organics. Cleaning layers are easily replaced, and hose connections rotate 360⁰, excluding excesses.

The manufacturer offers a protective grid, replaceable filters (sponge and bio-filler), spare tubes and hoses.

You can buy an aquarium external filter from 8,000 rubles.

EHEIM classic 250 (2213)

Rating: 4.7

A small filter for aquariums up to 250 liters EHEIM classic 250 is ranked fourth. It drives water through at a rate of up to 440 liters per hour, passing liquid through a primary spongy and biological substance in a total volume of 3 liters. In this case, the energy consumption of the device is only 8 W

The advantage of the EHEIM classic 250 (2213) filter lies not only in the efficiency of the device, but also in its wide configuration: rings that distribute the output stream; porous bacterial substrate for organic processing; fine cleaning sinteponovaya and coal napkins to remove hard fragments and chemicals. Branded detachable taps also do not have to additionally look for, and their replacement is extremely rare.

The price of EHEIM classic 250 (2213) starts from 5,590 rubles.

AQUAEL MIDI KANI 800

Rating: 4.6

The external AQUAEL MIDI KANI filtering pump with an operating intensity of 800 l / h is optimal for circulating water in an aquarium with a volume of 120 ... 250 liters. A feature of the device is the location of the pump inside the filter housing, which made it possible to get rid of many structural elements that complicate the installation of the pump. In addition to the pump, in the filter housing there is only a set of tubes, a container with valves and 4 containers with filter fillers with a total capacity of 7 liters. The active agents are flizelin, an organic sponge, a zeolite and a ceramic layer.

The uniqueness of the design lies in the immunity of the device to clogging, as a result - higher performance compared with analogues.Suitable for placement in home aquariums, aquaterrariums with low water levels.

The cost of AQUAEL MIDI KANI 800 is about 5,000 rubles.