Rating of the TOP 10 best external and internal filters for an aquarium! Reviews, which one to choose?

Expert: Rudenko Irina Sergeevna

*Review of the best according to the editors of expertology.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

An aquarium is a small artificial reservoir with a closed space in which there are no processes for natural purification of water from waste products of the inhabitants. As a result, the water becomes polluted with waste, a population of small algae and pathogenic bacteria grows in it, and the environment becomes destructive for the life of fish. Aquarium pumps are designed to solve the problem of purification, providing mechanical, chemical, and biological purification of water. Another useful property is mixing water flows. Thus, the environment is maintained in a qualitatively homogeneous state throughout the entire volume of the aquarium.

The filter is a container with a compressor and a cleaning filler, which consists of sponges, carbon components and other complex systems. Based on their location, devices are divided into 2 types - internal and external.

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

How to choose a filter for an aquarium

If you think that even for a small aquarium you can take a high-throughput filter and forget about dirt forever, you are mistaken. If the device is incorrectly selected, the fish will either die from an excess of toxic substances or will “spin like in a washing machine.” To choose the right device, focus on the following criteria:

• Performance. This parameter depends on the ratio of the number of inhabitants of the aquarium to its volume. If the aquarium is small and there are few fish (2-3), then a filter that passes through 1 volume of the aquarium per hour is suitable. For a large container with a small number of inhabitants - also 1 volume. In general, you need to proceed from the recommendations for caring for specific representatives of the fauna. It is believed that the performance of the device should be equal to or slightly exceed the needs of the aquarium at the moment.
• Future plans. It sounds strange, but this is also an important criterion. If you plan to increase the number of inhabitants in the future, then choose models with adjustable filtration power - they are somewhat more expensive than classic devices without this feature, but you won’t have to buy a new device.
• Type of fish. Most modern devices have the ability to aerate water, which creates a flow in the aquarium. Some representatives love flow, others prefer standing water, so this point must be taken into account. As a last resort, if you cannot find a device without an aerator, choose one that allows you to reduce the air flow to a minimum.

The list of the best aquarium filters includes only the most modern and high-quality models of various price categories. Even if you are a fan of sophisticated solutions or do not want to spoil the composition of the aquarium by installing a filter, then there is a solution for you - a device in the form of a flying saucer, as well as a model with backlight.

Useful materials to choose from

Criterias of choice

Two main criteria will help you choose the best aquarium:

• Power. This criterion implies the volume of liquid that the device can process in an hour. It depends on the dimensions of the tank. So, for example, for a 100-liter aquarium you will need a device capable of distilling 1 thousand liters of liquid in 60 minutes.
• Price. The most expensive are Chinese goods, which are distinguished by their durability and lack of interruptions in operation. German filters are prominent representatives of the middle price category. And among the cheapest options are domestic models.

It is also worth paying attention to the type of filler:

• Sponge. This option is considered the simplest. It is easy to handle in terms of cleaning. In addition, over time, the sponge begins to perform not only mechanical, but also biological cleaning.
• Zeolite. This material is natural, it consists of zeolite clay. It is able to eliminate ammonia and harmful chemicals from liquids.
• Activated carbon. The well-known absorbent absorbs many organic substances, as well as chemical compounds.
• Sintepon. It is used for fine cleaning and copes well with the smallest mechanical contaminants. As a rule, synthetic winterizer is used in combination with other fillers.
• Biofiller. Designed to reproduce beneficial elements that displace harmful ones.

FAQ

What types of aquarium filters are there?

The main criterion for dividing products into categories is their location relative to the aquarium - inside or outside.

• Internal filters are more suitable for small aquariums. Despite the relatively low productivity, they are highly efficient in purifying small volumes of water (up to 150 liters). However, there are also more modern models designed for capacities of more than 150 liters. One of the types of internal filters is airlift - these are low-power devices designed for mechanical purification of water with small fish. We will not consider such models in the article - there are plenty of modern models on the market for different sizes and types of fish.
• External filters are more efficient and are suitable for aquariums up to 1000 liters.

Many devices are equipped with a power regulator, which makes them universal for installation in aquariums of any size.

What types of filtering are there?

Aquarium water contains a variety of contaminants - sand particles, waste from the aquarium inhabitants, toxic substances. To clean the container from all these contaminants, filters with various mechanisms were invented:

1. Mechanical is the simplest mechanism. Water passes through a porous gasket, which traps large particles - sand, silt.
2. Biological - represented by colonies of bacteria that process toxic waste products of fish and bacteria (for example, ammonia, nitrites).
3. Chemical - most often represented by activated carbon or peat. They absorb chemical breakdown products and neutralize some toxins.

Almost all modern devices are capable of purifying water in an aquarium in all three ways. Such devices will be discussed in the article.

Ask your question

Types of filters according to the method of water passage through the filter material

Based on this parameter, filters are divided into two large groups:

• by means of an electric pump;
• using air bubbles that carry water with them and thereby draw it into the filter Internal filter.

Filters are divided into two large groups according to the method of water passage through the filter material

Electrical filters

They have many modifications. They are distinguished by high performance, a wide range of applications (there are models for all types of aquariums) and versatility (provide all types of filtration). They can be internal and external , but more on that later.

Electrical filters are divided into internal and external

Air filters

The most popular air filters are bottom and airlift. They are characterized by simplicity of design, affordable price and low energy consumption. However, such filters have modest performance and are therefore not suitable for large aquariums. Installed exclusively inside the aquarium.

The best internal filters for an aquarium

Tetra Tetratec EasyCrystal Filter 250

• Suitable for turtle aquariums
• Country: Germany
• Price: 1308 RUR
• What volume of the aquarium is it designed for: 15 - 40 l
• Power consumption: 3.5 W
• Rating (2021): 9

This device not only perfectly purifies water from dirt and other foreign particles, but also, due to the presence of an activated carbon filter, absorbs chemical waste and fights unpleasant odors in the aquarium. The compressor works on the principle of a waterfall, which allows it to be used not only for its intended purpose, but also as a decoration for an aquarium - if the device itself is carefully camouflaged.

• Advantages
  Inexpensive
• Suitable for bottom fish
• A cartridge with a carbon filter can be purchased separately.
• Silent
• Long service life (up to 10 years)
• Hanging structure
• There is a modification for a round aquarium

AQUAEL UNIFILTER UV 500

• There is a backlight
• Country: Poland
• Price: 2878 RUR
• What volume of the aquarium is it designed for: 100 - 200 l
• Power consumption: 5 W
• Rating (2021): 9.5

Compared to other models in the selection, this filter is one of the most powerful and effective for a large aquarium. The fact is that it purifies water not only from harmful chemical compounds formed during the life of fish, but also from drug metabolites, and also neutralizes pathogenic microorganisms, thereby maintaining fish health and preventing the occurrence of infections.

• Advantages
  Budget
• Built-in sterilizer
• Can be cleaned without dismantling
• Separate power cord for LEDs
• Removable prefilter

JUWEL Bioflow 8.0

• Absorbs unpleasant odors
• Country: Germany
• Price: 11640 RUR
• What volume of the aquarium is it designed for: Up to 450 l
• Power consumption: 8 W
• Rating (2021): 9.5

And this filter, in addition to its stated functions, also helps reduce the amount of unwanted algae in the aquarium by lowering the concentration of nitrates. There is one more feature - the design is made in such a way that other devices from the company, for example, heaters, can be connected to it. The manufacturer's assortment includes various fillers that are easy to change due to the convenient design of the device.

• Advantages
  Contains colonies of beneficial bacteria
• High degree of purification
• Large volume
• Easy to care for
• Uniform filtration
• German quality

Dennerle Nano Clean Eckfilter

• Lowest power consumption
• Country: Germany
• Price: 2389 RUR
• What volume of the aquarium is it designed for: 10 - 40 l
• Power consumption: 2 W
• Rating (2021): 9.5

A submersible filter for aquariums up to 60 liters in volume, with which you can filter water or create a flow (the direction of which can be easily changed by turning the nozzle). At the same time, it is absolutely safe for both adult and large fish, as well as fry, shrimp, and crustaceans. The pump itself also comes with a special cleaning brush. The high-quality design makes it easy to disassemble for subsequent cleaning.

• Advantages
  Corner design
• Does not require careful maintenance (just rinse with water)
• Smooth air flow adjustment
• Safe for juvenile shrimp
• Ideal for a small aquarium

SunSun HJ-511

• Best price
• Country: China
• Price: 401 RUR
• What volume of the aquarium is it designed for: 20 - 100 l
• Power consumption: 5.5 W
• Rating (2021): 9.5

Another multifunctional filter that can be installed in almost any position - both vertically and horizontally on the bottom. The body is made of durable, non-corrosion translucent material - this will allow you to quickly identify contamination and clean the filter in time. In addition, the device does not heat up at all, which means it does not affect the temperature of the water in the aquarium or the vital activity of the fish.

• Advantages
  Impact resistant plastic
• Low power consumption
• Frequent sponge replacement is not required
• Ready to use immediately after purchase
• High quality at a great price

SunSun CUP-809

• Built-in bubble aerator
• Country: China
• Price: 3637 RUR
• What volume of the aquarium is it designed for: 300 - 750 l
• Power consumption: 10 W
• Rating (2021): 9.5

A universal Chinese filter that can be installed not only in an aquarium with freshwater or marine fish, but also in terrariums for reptiles and amphibians. It quickly purifies water from both natural contaminants and food residues and medications. With its help, you can create even a small current, but it will not cause cloudiness in the water - all suspended matter and sand from the bottom, carried as a result of this current, are perfectly eliminated by the multifunctional device.

• Advantages
  Prevents algal blooms
• There is a UV lamp switch
• Not subject to corrosion
• Trouble-free operation

Prefilter What is it and is it needed at all?

In the vast majority of cases, the suction tube of the external filter does not have a sponge on it. To prevent the suction of fish fry and large particles of dirt, manufacturers use various mechanisms such as a check valve (for example, in my external device, the manufacturer uses a ball, which 1) narrows the opening for water intake and 2) blocks the flow of water in the absence of suction towards the filter basket).

Whether to put a sponge on the suction tube or not is up to everyone to decide for themselves. This sponge on the inlet hose is called a prefilter. When using a prefilter, two problems are solved: 1) the fry is prevented from getting inside the outer; 2) water entering the filter undergoes additional mechanical cleaning.