The Best Aquarium Canister Filter 2020

What is a canister filter for aquarium?

This is a device that forces aquarium water through the siphon tube, filter media, and back to the tank via a pipe, which makes it perfect for removing small particles, old fish food, waste products, feces, and dirt. With a correctly chosen canister filter aquarium requires cleaning less often, and water stays transparent and fresh for longer. Since different filter media can be installed in a filter, it’s highly adaptable to different conditions and can be customized according to the capacity of the aquarium, kinds of fish, and so on.

What makes this type of filters pretty popular is the fact that they can be used for large aquariums (40 gallons and larger), and perform chemical, biological and mechanical cleaning. This kind of filters is good for saltwater, aquariums with live plants and cichlid. The only drawback of canister filters is that there’s no air contacting water during cleaning, so biological filtration and oxidation isn’t good enough for them.

The Three Stages Of Aquarium Filtration

Mechanical Filtration

With the help of coarse sponges, floss, and ceramic noodles, large impurities are removed, and the water is polished.

Chemical Filter Media

As a rule, the carbon material is used for chemical filtration. Such impurities as tannins, odors, and medicines are absorbed in the material. Some chemical filters absorb copper, nitrates, and phosphate, while a water softening pillow serves to optimize General Hardness of water.

Biological Filtration

Biological filtration is a must for preventing bacteria colonies growth within the filter. Most filter models use bio-wheels, bio-balls, and ceramic noodles.

Benefits of Using a Canister Filter

High Flow Rates

To make sure that aquarium inhabitants stay healthy, you need to keep water clean all the time. Changing water manually every 1-2 days is too inconvenient and time-consuming. Automatic canister filters clean water efficiently and quickly – it should be changed only once a week.

Flexible Media Selection

Most types of canister filters allow users to select different types of media and arrange it in the order they want. Some enthusiasts are okay with 2-step filtration, while others organize 5-step filtration – it depends on the capacity of the filter.

Easy Setup Processes

Canister filters are quite easy to assemble and install, and most models require priming only once to start working. Detailed instructions make the setup process simple even for newbies.

Easy to Clean

Since aquarium canister filters are easy to re-assemble, they can be cleaned quickly. No special cleaning agents are required, and the media can be replaced.

Quiet Operation

Some canister filters work without making any noise so they disturb neither your family nor the fish.

Strong Mechanical Filtration

Changing water is not as efficient as a professional canister filter – thanks to high-quality media and electric motor, it makes water crystal clear removing even minor impurities.

Aspects To Consider When You Make A Purchase

Tank Size vs. GPH

The aquarium volume and filter capacity (usually measured in gallons per hour) should be considered primarily. Select a suitable canister filter that is able to clean the entire aquarium at least 2-3 times during an hour. If you choose too small and non-efficient filter, the aquarium water will get dirty soon. On the contrary, large canister filters won’t fit small tanks properly.

The Motor

Since the motor will work around the clock, you need it to be robust, long-lasting, and yet not energy-consuming. The most optimal choice is a motor with UL approval rating. You can either buy an epoxy-sealed motor that is protected against moisture or a magnet-driven motor that has a self-priming feature (it’s not sealed, so its performance can be impacted).

The Valves

Canister filters are equipped with 2 valves: one controls the intake and another – the output. The valves should be closed totally to prevent leaking. Ideally, you should be able to disconnect the valve hoses to set up an adapter or a gravel vacuum.

Filtration Process & Media Trays

Select the filter that features a media tray for every filtering media. Using all three filtering stages, you’ll reach the best results.

Location

Check out the canister dimensions to make sure it will fit in the tank.

Interesting facts

1. Carbon media is effective in removing toxins along with small impurities and dirt particles.
2. The golden rule of choosing an aquarium (and the filter accordingly) is “One fish per gallon for the tank”.
3. The replaceable filter should be replaced once a month depending on the volume of the aquarium, a number of fish and media used.
4. It takes about six weeks to set up an optimal environment in a new fish tank. As soon as it’s done, maintaining it gets easy.
5. If you don’t maintain a normal level of nitrates, they can cause problems with algae that cannot be eliminated by filtering and cleaning.

How We Selected And Tested Aquarium Canister Filters

To figure out what the best canister aquarium filter is, we surfed the Net and compared ratings of various models. We read numerous reviews to underline the benefits and disadvantages of various models and reveal their peculiarities. Several worthy models we chose were tested: we measured the level of toxins (ammonia, nitrates) before and after forcing water through the filters, and evaluated its visual clarity.

The Best Aquarium Canister Filters – Our Choice

We reviewed multi-stage filtering aquariums in the price range $60-80 for middle-size models and $150+ for large models. Here you can see the basic characteristics of every model and find out about their advantages and drawbacks. Each aquarium canister filter review on the list comes with recommendations for use.

How to Use Aquarium Canister Filters?

Before starting to use the device, you should figure out how to set up a canister filter for aquarium. As a rule, models come with all necessary spare parts for installation. Make sure that they’re all assembled before placing the filter on its position. Then connect the inflow and outflow pipes to the tank following the instructions. Place it on the spot where no one disturbs the filter.

How to Prime a Filter?

Although some aquarium filters have the self-priming feature, and others come with detailed directions and instructions, you can try one useful trick. When you have assembled the filter, submerge it in the aquarium and plug it in. Tilt the canister on its side to have the impeller submerges and start it up. Hold it like that for one minute and then tilt upwards to get rid of air. Now it should be primed.

How Often to Replace Filter Media?

It depends on a number of factors, including the size of the aquarium, amount of fish, water, and the type of media used. To find out whether the filter should be replaced, check the water with a test kit that evaluates the level of ammonia and nitrates in the water. Make sure that these levels are normal: they should be close or equal to zero. If not, it’s time to change the filters. Don’t forget that the filter itself should be cleaned, as well. Ideally, you should do that at least once in 3 months.

In What Order the Filter Media Should be Placed?

First, make sure that you get the right type of media for the filter. As a rule, layering from back to front looks the following way:

• ceramic rings;
• coarse sponge;
• bio media;
• wool pad.

Where should the Purigen (chemical filtration layer that removes ammonia, nitrates, and so on) be placed? It’s better to put it where the water exists, so it can be placed before it goes to ceramic rings.

The filter leaks. Why?

It may mean that either the spare parts are damaged, or all joining parts aren’t properly sealed. Re-assemble the filter following all instructions strictly, and check all details for wholeness. All broken and damaged parts should be replaced. Make sure that the system is sealed normally; otherwise, air will get inside and form air bubbles.

Our Recommendations

To make sure that your fish and turtles are happy and healthy, you should create the ideal ecosystem in their tank, and the quality of water should be the primary concern. Keeping it free from dirt and rich in oxygen is vital for the inhabitants of aquariums, so you can’t ignore such an important thing as filtering. Canister filters are versatile and efficient because they’re designed for cleaning marine and freshwater and removing the vast majority of dirt and toxins.

You can find a canister filter for an average price of $70. Out of all the reviewed models, Marineland Magniflow has the most optimal price/quality ratio: it’s non-expensive and features an extra polishing media layer. Aquatop CF Series Canister Filter for tanks up to 175 gallons has exceptional features but is twice as expensive as its analogs. Have a huge aquarium? Instead of Fluval Canister Filter FX6, which is too costly (over $300), we recommend using two Pingkay 200 Gallon Filters – it will be cheaper (though much space is required).

Each best aquarium canister filter review on our list will give you the idea of what this or that model is capable of, and whether it would be suitable for your aquarium. You just need to get a canister filter of appropriate flow rate and buy all necessary media – all the rest will be done by the device.

Sources:

http://www.seahorseaquariums.com/External-Filters/Filtration/664

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquarium_filter

https://filteridea.com/best-canister-filter/

Attention!

Aubree Rose

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