Best aquarium filters in 2024

Contemplation of aquarium fish has a relaxing effect on the nervous system. These silent inhabitants of an artificial reservoir do not create much trouble for their owner, but this does not mean that they and their habitat do not need care. In order to create optimal conditions for the existence of fish and other microorganisms, mechanical, chemical and biological water purification is important. A good aquarium filter will help in this matter. How to choose the best from the available variety of popular models is discussed in this article.

Best internal filters

EHEIM aquaball 180

A distinctive feature of the device is a spherical head, which allows the movement of the water flow in different directions. A built-in diffuser enriches the aquarium with oxygen. The power regulator can be used to change the water flow. Mechanical and biological cleaning of the aquarium liquid medium is carried out by means of sponge cartridges in the filter housing. The filter cloth in the filter box enhances the mechanical cleaning effect.

The design provides for such a connection of the compartments (modules), in which their local flushing is possible. This is important in terms of preserving beneficial bacteria. In addition, a blockage in one of the compartments will not affect the operation of the filter as a whole. A special compartment for the filtering substrate is provided.
Features of the complete set: in addition to the filtering device, the set includes a holder, a nozzle for aeration, a flute, 3 suction cups. Suitable for containers from 80 to 180 liters. Capacity from 210 to 650 l / h.

The average price is 2600 rubles.

• aeration;
• movable head;
• the presence of a nozzle that distributes the flow;
• modular block connection diagram;
• the possibility of replacing the substrate.

• suction cups weaken during operation and hold the cleaning mechanism worse.

TETRA EasyCrystal FilterBox 600

The design is designed for aquariums with a capacity of 50 to 150 liters. It has a capacity of 600 l / h and a power of 7.5 watts. Attached with suction cups in a comfortable position. An additional department provides the integration of the thermostat.
It is characterized by the presence of a three-stage water filtration method, including mechanical, biological, and chemical. The following are used as filter materials:

• double-sided sponge for mechanical cleaning - the white side is intended for screening out large conglomerates, the green one is responsible for the quality of fine filtration;
• activated carbon - provides chemical treatment of a liquid medium, removes impurities and eliminates odors;
• a bio-sponge inhabited by beneficial bacteria - with its help biological water purification is realized, the decomposition of harmful components is ensured.

The device is easy to maintain: monthly replacement of the biofiltration sponge is required, it does not need to be rinsed.
The average cost is 1060 rubles.

• price;
• compactness of the product, which saves space in the aquarium;
• optimal cleaning of the aquarium environment;
• no need to rinse the sponge - replacement of the cartridge is required.

• aeration is not provided;
• the monthly cost of buying a new cartridge.

EHEIM aquaCorner 60

The corner model is designed for installation on walls up to 5 mm thick. The design feature prevents shrimp from entering the filter due to the presence of a tightly installed sponge. Cleaning of the sponge can be done by means of a removable front cover. The sponge filter is essential for mechanical cleaning. The plastic container allows the use of activated carbon and other adsorbents. Substrate Pro, included in the package, participates in the biological purification of the liquid. Water flows out of the filter along the surface of the head in the form of an impromptu waterfall. Aeration is provided, while the surface film is accelerated. The large area of ​​the fence grate provides a significant filtering area on the washcloth.

The design does not provide for the presence of suction cups. The basic attachment fits over the corner of the aquarium and holds the filter against the wall. This can be inconvenient for owners of aquariums with lids: in this case, they will have to cut a slot in the lid or discard the model. On the other hand, the suction cups weaken over time, and such a nozzle has no expiration date, it will be used for a long time (until it breaks).

The filter is suitable for freshwater or saltwater aquariums with a capacity of 10 to 60 liters. Productivity - 200 l / h.

The average cost is 2139-2500 rubles.

• quiet, easy to maintain;
• effective water purification in small containers;
• angled design saves space in the aquarium.

• no suction cups, inconvenient for aquariums with lids;
  access to the rotor chamber is difficult.

Juwel Bioflow 8.0

The device is designed for aquariums with a capacity of 300 to 500 liters. The unit capacity is 1000 l / h. Its own volume is 7 liters, which is very close to that of external devices.

The filter material is located in convenient baskets: the top cloth retains large particles of dirt, the black sponge helps to remove chemical impurities, the blue one contains bacteria for water purification, the green one reduces the nitrate content in the water. These filter elements of varying density provide complete mechanical, chemical and biological treatment.

A special feature of the filter design is that it is fixedly embedded in the aquarium. The absence of hoses and couplings allows efficient use of pump power. The considerable volume of the apparatus provides a significant interval between cleanings with high efficiency. Serviceability is achieved due to free access to the filtering materials of the device.

Experienced aquarists value the model quite high, but you will have to pay a tidy sum for it - from 9460 to 13750 rubles.

• safe work;
• high level of productivity;
• ease of care and operation.

• considerable cost of the product;
• sufficiently fast wear of materials that provide coarse cleaning.

Barbus WP-300F

Model for miniature aquariums up to 20 liters. The device, with a power of 2 kW, is capable of processing 150 l / h.

Mechanical filtration is possible thanks to a sponge that absorbs dirt and provides water purification. The uniformity of water flow distribution is realized by means of a water flute system. The main feature of the model is its equipment. In addition to the water flute nozzle, the set includes the following replacement nozzles:

• filtration and sprinkling;
• circulation and filtration;
• filtration and aeration.

This assortment of nozzles provides a choice of the flow of water in each case.The compact body in the form of a glass is attached to the walls of the container using suction cups.
You will have to pay an average of 350 rubles for the device.

• value for money;
• silent work;
• compact model with extended equipment for small aquariums.

• the hole for the flute is larger than necessary: ​​it should be fastened with a seal.

Best external filters

ADA Super Jet ES-1200

The canister filter makes a favorable initial visual impression: the body is made of stainless steel, which is the ridge of the Aqua Design Amano brand, and gives the potential user a feeling of reliability and high quality of the product.

The design of the device provides effective circulation of the liquid, reducing the load on the pump, which provides an increase in the duration of the filtering device. The mechanism with a capacity of 12 liters has a capacity of 16-19 l / min and a maximum water rise of 2.4-3.4 m, designed for artificial reservoirs with overall dimensions of 0.9x0.45x0.6m (1.2x0.45x0.6m).

The set includes fillers Bio Rio M, which stimulate the dissolution of oxygen in the aquarium water: this increases the activity of beneficial bacteria and, as a result, the efficiency of the biological filtration process.

The pump is attached to the device body: this neutralizes the effect of electromagnetic waves on the bacteria colonies in the device, which contributes to their comfortable development.

The main cleaning methods are implemented in the filter:

• mechanical;
• chemical;
• biological.

The first allows you to remove large particles from the liquid medium (fragments of algae, remnants of food and life of aquatic inhabitants). The second one removes impurities due to the adsorption capacity of activated carbon. Carbon is often used at the initial stage of starting an aquarium to purify water and prevent water staining and ammonia poisoning of residents of an artificial reservoir. Due to the fact that the adsorption capacity of activated carbon is limited, for its effective use it is necessary to change the carbon twice a month.

The third cleaning method has a key position. The colonies of microorganisms in the filter are involved in the process of assimilation and decomposition of organic matter, plankton, microbes in the water: nitrifying bacteria convert ammonium contained in fish excrement into nitrite, and then into nitrate.

Average cost of the device: 75,000 rubles.

• stylish design, stainless steel body;
• 3 effective ways to purify water;
• productive pump.

• applicable only for freshwater artificial reservoirs;
• high price.

TETRA EX-1200 Plus

An external filter device with a volume of 12 liters and a power consumption of 19.5 W is intended for large aquariums from 200 to 500 liters with both fresh and sea water. Can also be used in terrariums. The throughput of the device is 1300 l / h. The water column reaches a lifting height of up to 1 m 80 cm. Unlike its predecessors, it consumes up to 20% less energy.

The model is equipped with 4 containers for filter media, among which the following are distinguished:

• 1 - CR - ceramic rings - thanks to them, the water flow is evenly distributed, large particles of dirt are removed;
• 2 - BB - bio-balls - take part in biofiltration: a powerful colony of beneficial bacteria is formed on their surface;
• 3 - BF - standard filter sponge - important for mechanical purification of aquarium water;
• 4 - CF - carbon filler: plays a role in removing harmful substances and unpleasant odors from the liquid medium by chemical means;
• 5 - FF - finely porous sponge: serves for fine water purification.

The average cost is from 8,300 to 11,000 rubles.

• the package includes everything you need for a simple and quick installation, including filter media;
• powerful and silent at work;
• reduced energy consumption.

• after a couple of years of operation, leaks are possible.

Eheim Professionel 3 2073

The external innovative device is designed for artificial reservoirs with fresh or sea water with a capacity of up to 350 liters. The pump develops a capacity of up to 1050 l / h, providing a rise of water up to 1.8 m. The filter is characterized by a volume of 7.4 l and a power consumption of 16 W.

The device made according to the latest technologies, in comparison with models of similar performance, is distinguished by its quiet operation, no vibrations.

The device is completed with:

• filtering materials for mechanical filtration;
• fillers for bacterial biological treatment;
• filters from contamination with harmful chemicals.

The design is equipped with a pre-filter - prefilter. Its convenient location in the upper part of the device facilitates its removal and washing from large particles of debris. Fillers and substrates have local placement in baskets, so that access to them does not create difficulties during the operation and maintenance of the device. A distinctive feature of the design is that the hoses are connected via a safety adapter. The tightness of the construction is guaranteed by powerful snap locks.

The powerful pump contributes to less energy consumption, which means lower costs for maintaining the aquarium. The presence of a special pump button for pumping liquid into the aquarium provides simplicity and speed of starting the mechanism into operation. The filter is easy to connect and start up. At the time of purchase, it is fully equipped and ready for use. For such a product, you will have to pay from 14,000 to 17,500 rubles.

• attractive appearance;
• decent level of workmanship;
• pre-filter available for cleaning;
• economical in terms of energy consumption.

• according to user reviews, the likelihood of leaks during operation.

Aquael Multikani 800

An external device in the form of a cylindrical container with a lid contains filter cleaning materials (in the form of sponges, ceramic inserts). Also, the attention of the user is offered a range of additional containers containing mechanical, biological, chemical liners. They can be combined linearly or sequentially: a maximum of eight containers can be combined. Depending on their number, the structure can work with aquariums from 20 to 300 liters. This filter is a good choice for those hobbyists looking to expand their aquariums. The expandable design will save material resources and will also ensure the continuous biological filtration in the aquarium, ensuring the purity of the water with which it is filled.

The filter mechanism is driven by an independent pump. At the request of the user, the capacity can be increased from 650 l / h to 800 l / h.

The average cost is from 2700 to 3400 rubles.

• expandable up to 8 modules;
• versatility - applicable for containers from 20 to 300 liters;
• independent external pump;
• ease of installation and operation.

• no critical ones have been identified.

JBL CristalProfi e702 greenline

The external filter is suitable for aquariums from 60 to 200 liters. Differs in ease of assembly, quiet operation, capacity up to 700 l / h, economy (power consumption 9 W).

Cleaning is done in three ways. The presence of filter material is provided by the package. Replacing the pre-filter is easy. Due to its regular replacement, it is not necessary to clean the rest of the filter very often.

The large volume of the filtering device realizes a decent bio filtration performance due to the presence of various filter layers. The self-cleaning process is possible thanks to the biological cleaning balls.

The hoses can rotate 360 ​​degrees at the connections. To avoid water leakage when turning off the device is possible thanks to the safety valve.

The updated model is distinguished by a more spacious upper filter basket: a twice larger pre-filter has appeared, which is less susceptible to blockages, and therefore does not require frequent cleaning.

Estimated cost - 8400 rubles.

• silent;
• powerful, economical;
• convenience of detaching the filter from the tubes for cleaning;
• high-quality hoses and “elbow” that do not clog, do not require frequent maintenance.

• quality of filter materials: increased grain size of the sponges, insufficient efficiency of biological treatment (design of balls).

Summarizing

When choosing a filter, it is important to consider aquarium volumes. For small containers, it is better to purchase internal devices. They can include mechanical, biological, chemical filtration elements. Such mechanisms do not create difficulties during operation. They are characterized by a lower cost than external ones. But they are noisier. Due to the low efficiency of individual mechanical filters, additional soil cleaning may be required.

External filters are characterized by high-quality mechanical, chemical, biological liquid purification. Such devices are preferred for large aquariums. Their installation is not difficult, they are easy to maintain. But they take up a lot of space and are expensive.