Thankfully, I could fit a decent number of biospheres in the filter compartment after pulling out the included sponge media. I also used this filter for my planted tank, which uses an external CO2 tank. You can also adjust the flow on the output, lessening the current in the tank. Many think that a filter just keeps the water moving so it doesnt get stagnant. The filter media also requires replacement periodically. Do not go overboard by getting the most expensive filter to control a very light biological load, too. Dead spots contain stagnant and stale water, providing the ideal environment for dangerous bacteria to proliferate and make your fish sick or even kill them. If the ammonia level gets too high, your fish will get sick and eventually die. The air creates a vacuum inside the filter that makes it draw through the sponge and bio media and then out through the outlet pipe. It has huge baskets that can handle up to a pound of ceramic biomedia each. Essentially, the turnover rate relates to the efficiency of the pump and the filter unit rather than the volume of water the system circulates around your aquarium. The type of filter you go for depends on your aquarium setup. However, it is possible to stop dead spots from forming by using a filtration system that gives you a higher GPH than your 55-gallon tank actually needs. This product is probably the best sponge filter for a 55-gallon tank because it does not need a water pump to work. I honestly do like this filter quite a bit. This, in turn, makes the water clean and clear. The filter unit contains a motor that drives an impeller, pulling aquarium water up from the tank, through the filter media, and then returning it to the tank. There is also the aerator attachment, which you can connect with an air pump, oxygenating the water. Make sure to carefully follow the manufacturers instructions for installation and maintenance to avoid leaks. But the AquaClear would be the frontrunner for a fry or shrimp tank. Both have great biomedia capacities and reliable motors. This filter has an indicator LED that lights up when the filter senses that the flow rate has gotten significantly slower. Ideally, you will need to replace your filter media every three to four weeks. It helped keep the water clear for weeks even without partial water changes. When I first got this filter kit, I thought I needed to buy the filter media separately. At the very center is a chamber where you can place biomedia and/or loose activated carbon. In addition, despite its compact size, it was able to clear the cloudy water in my tank after just a day of running. You can easily add on a sponge pre-filter if you plan to keep shrimp or fry in the tank. Its recommended that you get a filter with a GPH that is at least four times your tank volume. This is great for planted tanks populated with small fish like tetras, mollies, and the like. Most power filters use all three forms of filtration, are simple to maintain, and are efficient. Usually, chemical filtration systems use activated carbon as the filter media of choice, but there are alternatives you can choose that target specific substances. Learn more. Every freshwater and saltwater aquarium needs an effective filtration system that offers mechanical and biological functionality to keep the tank water clean, healthy, and well-oxygenated. Although they are not quite as efficient at filtering compared to canister filters, they still do a respectable job. It caused quite a bit of stress on my fish. First, you need to consider how much space you have outside and inside your aquarium. This product is quite the opposite. I have a small aquarium set up in my bedroom with this filter, and I can only hear it humming when completely quiet. This aquarium filter has a novel little feature that I kind of like: interchangeable water outlet pipes. Ive heard the point that the Marineland Magnum is intended for water polishing, not as a primary filtration system. The system ensures excellent filtration for aquarium water by using mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration. This aquarium filter has a water pump that is strong enough that it can circulate the water in a 55-gallon tank easily. In this first section of our guide, we provide you with product reviews for five of our favorite types of filters suitable for use in 55-gallon aquariums. Polar 265GPH Aurora External Aquarium Filter, 3. And sometimes, like after a short power failure, it wont start on its own even if the back is full of water. The basic GPH that the filter is designed to produce considers only the aquarium capacity but doesnt take into account the decorations, hardscape, and plants you have in your tank. So far (knock on wood) Ive always been able to get it to start back up by taking off the motor and manually turning the impeller a few times, but it can be pretty annoying. In addition, some sensitive fish species cant cope with the strong tank flow produced by power filters and might become stressed. In that case, a canister filter is probably a better choice to place outside the tank. So water is pushed through the bottom of the media basket and forced to flow through the media above before it can escape out of the front. Theres a huge debate about whether or not you even need the carbon in the first place! Hey, there! If you have a 55-gallon tank, you will need a filtration system that can move water at a rate of at least 220 gallons per hour. The filter media will remove the active medication from the water before it has a chance to treat your fish. Learn how your comment data is processed. Most power filters contain bio-wheels. Even if the filter for a 55-gallon freshwater tank can efficiently keep my aquarium clean, I would not like it if it is hard to clean. This does have an external motor that you will need to prime. Canister filters are very powerful and energy-efficient, making them an ideal choice for a 55-gallon aquarium. However, it is also so compact that it was easy to hide behind aquarium decorations. Canister filters are sold as a complete unit that includes an integral pump or a modular format that needs a separate pump. Your email address will not be published. Eheim filters are simple to set up, easy to clean, and very reliable. The filter media trays are cleverly designed so that you simply lift each one out individually for cleaning purposes. I also liked how this filter has a somewhat modular design. As mentioned above, you need a filter that provides the correct GPH rate for your aquarium. I'm Katherine from Northwest Florida. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. And those things are NOT cheap. I just attached the air hose onto the nub that is on the water outlet. There are many different types of aquarium filters, but the best filtration systems for large, 55-gallon tanks are canister and power filters. The Fluval 407 is honestly the coolest canister filter Ive ever seen. Another reason why I like using this aquarium filter is that it is easy to dismantle for thorough cleaning. Since the motor is already in the water, it will just start suctioning as soon as the motor kicks on. I have to admit my bias towards this filter, I have this exact one on my 55 gallon cichlid tank. Read this article to learn how to choose the best filter for a 55-gallon aquarium, including reviews of our five favorite filter systems for 55-gallon tanks. The unit offers powerful filtration and comes with everything you need for complete filtration for a large tank. Do you think you need an additional filtration system with it (for that reason) assuming youre using it on a tank well within the 97 gallon limit? I would run a hose from the devices water outlet and into my kitchen sink for a mess-free water replacement. These filters tend to produce too much surface agitation, which is incompatible with a CO2 injection system. Chemical filtration is not essential for the filter system, but it can improve the water quality and slightly reduce the amount of time you need to spend on maintenance. Speaking of the output pipe, I noticed that I can set this top fin filter 55-gallon aquarium to work in many configurations. The general guideline for optimal filtration rates is that the total volume of water in your aquarium is circulated around the tank and through your filter system at least once every hour. You dont necessarily need to have a larger capacity filter if you upgrade to a larger tank. Pro Tip: It takes time to get your filter to build up the beneficial bacteria you need to process wastes and make your tank safe for fish. This compact HOB filter has 5 stages of filtration. These filters come as complete units, containing all three kinds of filter cartridges and an integral pump. It is not enough to kill them, but you can see their agitation. So youre throwing away the bacteria you do need so you can replace the carbon you dont AND it costs a small fortune.
One gripe is that canister filters can leak if their main gasket isnt seated properly or wears out (this is true of all canisters, not just this one). This makes sure that all the water in the tank gets sucked into the filter.
Some say that carbon is the best thing since sliced bread, others think its a big waste since it doesnt remove ammonia, nitrite or nitrates. When it comes to cleaning, it is easy to dismantle. I spent just a little over half an hour from opening the box to getting the filter going. This waste sinks to the bottom of the tank and starts to rot. Even after a couple of thunderstorms tripped the fuse box, this filter kept on chugging. If your tank is sited in a cramped space, you wont want a HOB filter (hang-on-back) that will be difficult to access for maintenance. I have been unlucky enough to go through a couple of water filters because their motors burned out after a brief power outage. A good aquarium filter does not require frequent maintenance. The rim would not let the plastic clamp hold onto the side of the tank securely. Once up and running, the system siphons water from the tank into the canister filter unit. It is like you can hear the water gushing inside them. The following are just some of the qualities that a good water filter needs to have: Mechanical filtration pertains to how effectively a filter removes solid matter from the water. A filter cartridge is just a plastic frame that holds some activated carbon, sandwiched between some pieces of non-woven plastic pad. However, it is always good to err on the side of caution. To figure out if your filter has mechanical and biological filtration, check if there are ceramic balls in the filter compartment. The Fluval C4 is a fairly sophisticated filter that forces water through several chambers containing different media.
But, if youve got a heavily stocked tank, nothing can beat the biomedia capacity of a canister. FILTER MEDIA: This Canister Filter comes standard with 5 Poly Fiber Floss Pads, 1 Coarse Bio-Sponge, and 1 Bag of Activated Carbon. (My tank is less than 50 gallons), Hi Sarah, water polishing is a component of the filter. This gave my aquarium a clean and uncluttered look. How Often Do I Change My 55 Gallon Aquarium Filter? However, I found that for just maintaining the clarity of the water, it is enough to use one set of filters. I needed to soak the hoses in a basin of hot water for a couple of minutes to get them nice and loose. The success of the Nitrogen Cycle depends on having plenty of oxygen circulating across the filter media where the various types of bacteria grow. The thing I liked the most about this water filtration system is that it has an all-in-one function. I loved that I can tear it apart without tools. If it were up to me, Id choose either the Seachem Tidal or the AquaClear for a hang-on-the-back filter. This filter is small enough that I can hide it easily behind the tank, but it has a powerful motor that can move the water efficiently. It then has three trays for other media: fine mechanical, biomedia and carbon. Mechanical filtration media can be made from diatomaceous earth, foam, floss, or paper pleats. But there are so many filters on the market that choosing the right one is certainly a challenge. It also includes a built in UV sterilizer that is meant to kill bacteria, viruses and algae spores in the water column. Living in your filters are colonies made up of millions of beneficial bacteria (also known as nitrifying bacteria) that detoxify ammonia, making your aquarium water safe. I think the Marineland internal filter would be great for anyone looking for low maintenance and quiet operation. This will keep you from accidentally removing the beneficial bacteria from the filter. Expensive when compared to other similar products.
I have used other brands of external cartridge water filters and most of them were quite noisy. However, there are a few basics that apply to all 55-gallon tanks. These filters are pressurized units that can contain all three filtration elements, as described above. I have had some aquarium filters that had short inlet pipes and it resulted in the water at the bottom getting stagnant. It is so powerful that I had to dial down the flow rate as it is disturbing the substrate too much.
These filters have significantly more filter media, allowing them to clean the water in the aquarium more efficiently. The Seachem Tidal really is one of the best hang-on-the-back filters available. I would place it inside a bucket of clean, treated water and run a hose into my tank. Filters play a vital roll in your tanks health. Theres an option to submerge the pipe underwater, creating a slight undercurrent. Compared to the other 55-gallon fish tank filter cartridge, this one is relatively easier to set up and use. If you have a 55-gallon tank and you are keeping fish with high bio loads, like goldfish or big cichlids, then this is a great option. That ensures you have plenty of room for all of the beneficial bacteria your tank needs.
This made it even more compact and easier to hide in the background while keeping the water clean. I used this filter when I reset my 55-gallon tank, and it only took one day to get the water crystal clear. In this article, Ill show you how to choose a filter for a 55 gallon fish tank, and review the 6 best options available and reveal the number one pick. It has both mechanical and biological filtration which are essential to running a successful aquarium. Despite its size, this filter can move water at a rate of 200 gallons per hour. So this filter is definitely not a good choice for fry or shrimp tanks. FREESEA Internal Aquarium Power Filter, 10. One reason why it is among the best power filter for a 55-gallon tank is that it operates quietly. Another thing I liked about this filter that is not present in some of the others that I have tested is the flow rate adjustment valve. The filter uses a gentle waterfall design that moves cleaned water back into the aquarium without unduly disturbing the water surface, making it the ideal choice for a 55-gallon fish tank containing creatures that dont appreciate a strong flow rate.
This set already came with all the fittings and filter media, I just needed to connect the hoses and the output pipe then place the filter mediate inside the canister. But, you can easily hide it behind plants and decor so its not very noticeable. The water goes through 4 filtration stages, namely pre-filtration, mechanical, chemical, and biological filters. Luckily, there is a natural process, known as the nitrogen cycle, that breaks down the ammonia in aquarium water. However, since this has an adjustable flow rate, I was able to dial the power down so that it will not cause the water to splash around in the tank. Each tray has plenty of space containing the activated carbon and bio-spheres. Afterward, I would also use it as a submersible pump. It was also nice that it did not need any additional tools to disassemble and clean. I like using a HOB Fluval filter for a 55-gallon tank like this because it is easy to set up and maintain. Thats technically true, but the main purpose of an aquarium filter is a bit more complicated than that. I also liked how low-maintenance this filter is. It helped quicken the entire process. I have lots of aquarist friends that have been using theirs for almost ten years, and they have not run into any serious problems whatsoever.
Other filters I have owned usually sat in a small pool of water after a couple of months, but I havent had any problems like that with this product. This filter cartridge essentially purified the water as it passed through, thus keeping all the fish in the tank happy and healthy. However, when I primed it and turned it on, I was surprised at how fast it moved the water. The only thing I did not like is how easy it was to burn out the water pump motor. I have been using it for a couple of months and so far, there have been no ammonia or nitrate spikes. I liked this feature especially since I live where the temperature usually drops to below freezing during the winter. With proper use and maintenance, you can get a couple of years worth of use at least. It took me less than 15 minutes to finish. In addition, this cartridge filter has a water pump that can easily circulate the water in a 55-gallon tank, maybe even bigger. Thats it, theres no magical elves in there that scrub your tank clean. It also draws very little power, only about as much as it takes to run a household LED bulb. I can also easily remove them by hand. Nitrosomonas bacteria in the biological filter media break down the ammonia into nitrites. There are lots of cheap aquarium filters that you need to clean every other day or so; otherwise, the water output will significantly lessen, and eventually, the pump motor will burn out. It is not just a water filter. What you will notice though, is that the water in your tank remains crystal clear even after months without complete water changes. So, if you have a 55-gallon tank, you need a filtration system that provides a flow rate of at least 220 Gallons Per Hour (GPH). Aquatic-eden.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This is not a problem with this water filter as it has a self-priming pump. As long as the GPH is suitable for your tank size and bioload, you shouldnt need an additional filter (unless for backup purposes). The unit features a push-button release that disconnects the outlet and intake valve block, making cleaning quick and simple. This filter does the job of two attachments, so it saves a lot of space and keeps the aquarium looking clean and uncluttered. The system is a clip-on, HOB design that features five-stage filtration, including carbon filters, for super-clean water and a healthy environment for your fish. Another neat feature of this filter system is that you do not need to visually inspect the filters to find out when you need to replace them. I had to replace the ones that came with the filters with larger and stronger ones just to keep the filter from floating in the tank. However, I do wish that the heater feature was a bit more consistent. I also like the long inlet pipe that can almost reach the bottom of my 55-gallon tank. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Also, if you use a power filter in a saltwater tank, you can experience salt creep on the underside of the lighting unit and tank lid. It has a water pump that is capable of 1000 liters per hour, ideal for aquariums from 55 gallons to around 100 gallons in size. For something so versatile, this aquarium filter is surprisingly easy to use. You will also be getting a couple of recommendations for the best 55-gallon fish tank filter. The spinning ceramic water wheel allows beneficial bacteria to grow on their surface, and the rotating action constantly exposes them to air, which makes them work more efficiently. However, what I did not like about this filter is that the suction cups that were supposed to hold the filter in place are not that strong. In addition, even when the power goes out for a couple of moments, you do not need to prime the pump again to get it going.
I was surprised at how small this HOB (hang-on-back) 55-gallon fish tank filter system was when I first saw it. This might be due to not cleaning the bio-wheels properly, resulting in a slight squeaking sound as they turn. Left to itself, an aquarium with fish in it will become unlivable as fish waste builds up and puts out more ammonia. Dead spots are water pockets that are not moved around by the water flow, and they usually form if the GPH is not powerful enough. All filtration systems require some form of maintenance to keep them working efficiently and effectively. It also has a compact design that makes it suitable for smaller tanks. Remember that your tank will be more prone to developing dead spots if you have lots of plants and decorations. Since the motor will always be underwater, theres no need to prime it.
For the impeller to spin freely, youll need to make sure that no pieces of debris are caught in the impeller housing, and you can buy special cleaning brushes for that purpose. Privacy PolicyCookie PolicyAccessibility Statement, We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program, Powerful fish tank filter is easy to install and maintain. The ammonia will increase until the water is so toxic that all the fish die. If you keep fish that creates a large amount of waste, you need to get this filter. Learn how your comment data is processed. I dont really think the surface skimmer is necessary, its more of a gimmick. The filter unit has large filter baskets, output/input tubing, and plenty of filter media to start you off. It has several stages of mechanical media, an area for activated carbon and a chamber that holds ceramic biomedia. I just had to remove the plastic covering of the filter media and it was already good to go. It is not the case for this one. If your tank is almost at the limit of its biological load, you will need a workhorse of a filter to get rid of all the waste that the fish will be creating. Biological filtration is crucial for every fish tank. There are some things that I love about this filter, and then other things Im not crazy about. Shopping for the most suitable filter for a 55-gallon aquarium can be tricky, especially if you are not aware of the qualities you need to look for. I have run many successful tanks without any carbon in the filter for years!! The filter you used for your smaller tank might not be able to keep up with the load that comes with the larger one. This article will teach you what to look for. This allowed for thorough cleaning and maintenance. The main downside to chemical filtration is that youll need to remove the media if your fish are undergoing any form of drug therapy. Between the canister filters, I would definitely go with the Fluval 407. This would have been much better if I could adjust the water flow. However, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. If you are upgrading from a smaller aquarium, you will also need to upgrade your hardware, which includes getting the best aquarium filter for a 55-gallon tank. It also comes with reusable pads for coarse, medium and fine mechanical filtration. Except for some slight noise, which only happens when the filter gets too dirty, this is a great HOB filter system. Why Im Not a Big Fan of Filter Cartridges, AquaClear 70 Power Filter, Fish Tank Filter for 40- to 70-Gallon Aquariums, SunSun Hw303B 370GPH Pro Canister Filter Kit with 9-watt UV Sterilizer. For example, for a 55 gallon tank, you want a GPH of at least 220. Once again, Id skip the carbon and load that tray with more biomedia. Just like all external canister filters, this one has a priming button for when you need to start the water pump again. Marineland Emperor 400 Pro Bio-Wheel Filter, 9. When choosing the best filter for your 55-gallon aquarium, there are a few things you should consider. I only add it when I need to filter out meds after having to treat a tank for some kind of illness. At times, I even thought that it stopped working until I heard the slight bubbling sound of the water. Best Filter for 55 Gallon Aquarium Reviews, 2. It would sometimes blow my fish away. A power filter is probably not the best choice if you keep a very densely planted tank. This filter allows you to dial the flow rate down so it wont stress the fish. The chemical stage filter contains activated carbon to remove harmful toxins from the water.
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