How to Pick a Fish Tank Filter | Aquarium Care

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To pick an aquarium filter, there are a lot of different types of filters on the market, you want to get one that best suits the type of tank that you have. The good thing for consumers nowadays is the increased options for turn key aquariums. There are a ton of aquariums out there that the filtration is already built in, so you don't have to consider what type of filter you want to go with. But if you're going with maybe a larger aquarium, something 55 gallons and up, most of those do not come with filters.
When deciding on what kind of filter you want, you want to look at what type of fish you're keeping - whether it's fresh water or salt water. A salt water fish tank filter would typically be a wet dry filter that will go below the aquarium. If it's a reef aquarium it would be a reef sump with a strong mechanical filter, a protein skimmer, a secondary mechanical filter right before the return pump, and some good carbon and a protein skimmer.
For fresh water aquariums there are hang on filters, canister filters, and, again, wet dry filters. There's also under gravel filters which are the least expensive and, in my opinion, work really well and are underrated.
Our aquarium industry kind of came to be where it is because of under gravel filters. It's utilizing your entire gravel bed as a biological and mechanical filter. I can't think of a more efficient use of your gravel bed. The down side is you have these big, ugly pipes all over the back of the aquarium. And you have bubbles going up the lift tubes or big power heads sitting in the aquarium. So there is a slight visual drawback to going with an under gravel filter, but they do work really, really well.
Budget is another concern when going with a filter. A typical canister filter will set you back a couple 100 dollars. Where a hang on filter will do almost as good of a job and be a fraction of the cost at maybe 40 to 70 dollars. But, it's big, it's clunky, it hangs in the back of the tank versus going neatly in the cabinet below the aquarium and only seeing two hoses that run up the back of the tank.
So there are a lot of options which are good, but in the end you probably want to go to your fish store. Look at the options, touch, feel them. See what works with your price range. And also, it's good to see the filter working so you can see the noise level and just kind of get a good feel of if it's something that you'll be able to service. Because if you have to hire somebody to service your aquarium, be prepared to spend 75 to a 150 dollars per cleaning every 2 to 4 weeks. So, make sure you get a filtration that you're comfortable with if you're not so handy.

[@PalJoey-rm2yh]

There is a saying racehorse handicappers have: "Horses for courses." Meaning simply that certain racetracks fit the running style of some horses better than others. It is in that spirit that one must consider the tank, the fish, and the goals of a given set up when selecting a filter system. I am glad to see you are not "down" on undergravel filters - as are 95% of 'modern' aquarists. They provide a huge amount of surface area for your beneficial bacteria colony - more than any style of filter except a well filled sump, BUT they CANNOT be regarded as a "set-it-and-forget-it" tool. Failing to vacuum the gravel every 2-4 weeks, when doing water changes, will cause what has been identified as 'old tank syndrome,' simply, the accumulation of dirt in the gravel. That has various undesirable consequences and the aquarists who have abandoned undergravel filters have failed to realize the cause and use them properly. They are not for planted tanks, except for floating plants. I would exclusively use them with power heads and if your are a DIYer, you can rig your UG filter for REVERSE FLOW. Send the output of some type of power filter DOWN the outflow spouts of the UG and UP through the gravel. This will prevent the accumulation of mulm and will give a superb oxygen supply to the bacteria bed. I find aquarists with limited space would rather have another aquarium below the main tank than a sump tank or canister filter, so UGs can be a blessing there, supplying needed filter media in the form of the tank's gravel.

[@SM-bo3pc]

Pictures would be helpful

[@badtrekee4348]

I ONLY USE CANISTERS.

[@ItsMrBang]

i wanna see a video called how to tickle a fish

[@CatspitProductions]

Aquaclear filters kick ass. Come get some Catspit~! ☠

[@ToMarroCP]

well u look like u care cause ur saying nobody cares :)

[@ToMarroCP]

First