After reading this article “Best aquarium filters for large aquariums” the reader will be able to know about the 5 best aquarium filters for large aquariums and also their features. He will also learn how to select a filter for his aquarium.
Best aquarium filters for large aquariums
Following are the best aquarium filters for large aquariums:
- Hydor Professional External Canister Filter
- Fluval FX6 Canister Filter
- Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filter
- Fluval 406 External Filter
- MarineLand Magniflow Canister Filter
5 best aquarium filters for large aquariums
Following are the 5 best aquarium filters for large aquariums:
Hydor Professional External Canister Filter
It is a rectangular filter. It comes in many sizes but the most important size for large aquariums is 600 models. It is best suitable for 90 to 150-gallon fish tanks. Other sizes are 250, 350 and 450.
This type of filter is best for tight spaces and the shape fits in the cabinets very easily. It measures 11 x 9 x 24 inches and the telescope valve at the top of the filter adds a few inches in the height of the filter. This filter comes with all the necessary equipment ready to set up the filter including the hoses, hooks and the valves.
The 600 model has 4 filter baskets one on the top of the other in the canister. Before priming, you need to need a good siphon to suck the water into the hose and then push the prime button.
You can use the filter media or buy your loose media, sponges and the filter pads to fill the space. This filter is best for goldfish.
Advantages of this filter are:
- Very quiet
- Easy to install
- Cleaning is very easy
- Priming requires a few pushes
Disadvantages of this filter are:
- Replacement parts are expensive
- Unreliable impeller
You can check out the price of this best aquarium filter for a large aquarium.
Fluval FX6 Canister Filter
This is the best aquarium filter for large aquariums because of its power filtration. It is suitable for 400 gallons of fish tank although it has a power of 563 GPH.
The filter measures 16 x 16 x 21 inches. It is a large black cylinder with red accent pieces. Its input and output valves take a few inches of the space, but it is a compact filter which can fit in many tanks and cabinets.
The filter has 3 filter media baskets which contain about 1.5 gallons of media. It can go well with any loose media and you will also find some sponge filters and filter pads to fill up space.
After attaching the filter and adding the media you need to add water to it and turn it on. It has a self-priming ability and no siphoning is needed in this filter. You can also control the flow of water by using the knobs on the top of the filter.
It is easy to clean. You just need to unscrew the tabs around the side and open the lid. The maintenance and cleaning are very easy. The intake and the outtake hoses are telescope-like and can be removed easily.
Advantages of this filter are:
- Strong and durable impeller
- Has a long life when taken care properly
- Has high capacity for filter media
- Has self-priming ability
- Moves a lot of water
Disadvantages of this filter are:
- The filter pump is strong enough to suck up small fish
- Very heavy when filled with water and filter media
You can check out the price of this best aquarium filter for large aquariums.
Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filter
It is best for the 200-gallon tank world. It is available in different sizes like 500, 700, 700 elite, 1000, 1000 elite, 1200, 1500 and 1500 elite. It has a flow rate of 350 GPH.
The difference between the simple and the elite model is that the elite model comes in a set. Each set consists of 4 types of filter media, hoses and the valve connectors. They also include the algae magnetic cleaner to clean the tank.
This type of canister filter has a more rectangular shape. It measures 11.5 x 20.5 x 12 inches in size. Both the hose and the valve on the top adds a few inches to the height of the filter.
The largest version of this filter has 5 interior baskets to fill the media in it. You can use any combination of media, sponge filter and filter pads in the basket to fill the space in the basket. They are designed such that they are air-tight and do not allow water to bypass the filter media in the freshwater aquarium. Your freshwater fish will enjoy high-quality water.
It doesn’t have the self-priming facility and you need to push the priming button.
Advantages of this filter are:
- Very quiet
- The intake and outtake hoses are easy to remove
- The clamps are easily open so you can clean and maintain the filter easily
- It is easy to set up the filter because of All-inclusive elite kits.
Disadvantages of this filter are:
- The filter media included in the filter is not great
- Some of the water do bypass the filter media
You can check out the price of this best aquarium filter for large aquariums here.
Fluval 406 External Filter
This is the most common filter used in the aquariums. This filter comes in 4 different sizes. The largest one is 406. Other sizes of this filter are 306, 206 and 106. The 406 model has a flow rate of 383 GPH. This filter is the best aquarium filter for a 100-gallon aquarium.
The filter media is about 2.25 gallons which are filled in the 4 baskets of the filter. Smaller filters have fewer baskets. The filter media doesn’t allow water bypass.
The 406 model measures 7.6 x 14. x 17.8 inches. It is a thin and skinny rectangle which fits in most of the tanks. The valves do add a few inches to the height of the filter in the aquarium.
It is not a self-priming filter but it holds its prime when the power is lost. The filter holds its prime as long as you don’t open the filter. Each time you open the filter you need to prime it by pushing the prime button. One of the Fluval filters is best for freshwater fish.
Advantages of this filter are:
- Light-weighted when full with water
- Holds a large amount of loose media
- Sponge filter makes the filtration process more effective
- Corrugated hoses are easily set up as they are flexible
Disadvantages of this filter are:
- The lid is difficult to close and release microbubbles when not closed properly
- The water may bypass filter media if there is too much resistance
You can check out the price of this best aquarium filter for large aquariums.
MarineLand Magniflow Canister Filter
This filter comes in a variety of sizes. For large tanks, a 100-gallon filter will be suitable. It also has 30 and 55-gallon sizes.
The largest filter has a flow rate of 360 GPH. It measures 10.75 x 13.38 x 17.25 inches. The valves located on the top add a few inches to the height of the filter in the tank.
It has 4 baskets for holding the filter media. It comes with the filter media so you can set up the filter as soon as you bring it home. The filter rate of the filter is not adjustable.
You can prime the filter with the help of the push button. It stays prime until the filter is opened. The priming is very easy by just pushing the button. One of the designs of the Marineland filter is best for saltwater aquariums. You can also build a cheap, DIY aquarium sump for your saltwater aquarium.
Advantages of this filter are:
- Reliable and durable design
- Best service by the Marineland company
- Hoses can be disconnected and reconnected easily
- Easy to maintain and cleaned
Disadvantages of this filter are:
- The hoses in the filter are not of good quality
- It may create microbubbles when something is not properly set up
You can check out the price of this best aquarium filter for large aquariums.
How to choose a filter for a large aquarium?
The filter should be large enough to filter the aquarium water 4 times per hour. You need to make sure that your filter is big enough to do this job.
Most filters in large aquariums perform their activity by powerful mechanical, biological and chemical filtration. You need to maintain the balance between them. The large tanks do not need much chemical filtration.
There are many types of filters in the market but you need to choose the right filter for your large tank. The two most powerful filters used are the HOB (Hang on back) filter and the canister filter.
There are also other filters like sponge filters, submersible filter and under-gavel filter. These filters are not recommended to use in the large tanks.
HOB filters are easy to clean while the canister filters are harder to clean. You need to choose a filter that is easy to maintain and clean.
Conclusion
In this article “Best aquarium filters for large aquariums” we have discussed the advantages and disadvantages of 5 best aquarium filters for large aquariums and how to select a filter for your aquarium.
Feel free to ask anything about “Best aquarium filters for large aquariums” in the comment section below.
FAQ; Best aquarium filters for large aquariums
Frequently asked questions of “Best aquarium filters for large aquariums” are:
Which is the best filter for planted aquariums?
Canister filters are best for planted aquariums. They stay out of the sight and provide the fish with high-quality crystal clear water in the tank.
Which filter is best for a 2 feet Aquarium?
Sobo Aquarium Top Filter WP-880F is the best filter to use in a 2 feet aquarium. It has a unique design to fit on any aquarium of size 42 to 78cm.
Are internal aquarium filters good?
No, they are not good because they are nano filters containing a small amount of filter media in it. They are also not versatile and cannot perform the function as effectively as other filters. They need high maintenance.
How many filters do I need for a 55-gallon tank?
For a tank of 55-gallon, you need a filter that has a GPH of 220. Remember the rule of thumb which is the filter should filter all the water in the tank at least 4 times per hour.
Can I use a bigger filter for my aquarium?
The size isn’t the key but the power. You need a filter that is more powerful rather than big. Big filters are hard to clean and maintain.
What is the best filter for a 4ft fish tank?
Canister filters are best for such fish tanks having tropical fish. You are looking at 4 to 5x water turn over for which you need a powerful filter in your aquarium.
References
https://fishtanksetups.com/best-aquarium-filters-for-large-aquariums/
https://www.thesprucepets.com/cheap-easy-diy-aquarium-sumps-2924656
