Best canister filter for a 75 gallon tank
The best canister filter for a 75-gallon tank should provide reliable biological filtration, enough media space for the tank’s bioload, and useful water movement without making…
Aquarium Pumps & Filters
Help matching aquarium filters and pumps to tank size, bioload and noise tolerance.
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Best canister for a planted 40 breeder
The best canister for a planted 40 breeder balances gentle, consistent circulation with enough mechanical and biological media for the…
Best filter for a 20 gallon community tank
For most 20-gallon community aquariums, a quiet hang-on-back filter or air-driven sponge filter is the best starting point. The right…
Buying guides
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Best Filter for a Heavily Stocked Goldfish Aquarium
Heavily stocked goldfish aquariums need more than a filter rated for the tank’s gallon capacity. Look for strong mechanical filtration,…
Best filter if you already have an air pump running
If you already have an air pump, a sponge filter is usually the simplest match. Learn when to choose one, how to size it, and when an…
Best hang-on-back filter for a goldfish tank
The best hang-on-back filter for a goldfish tank is one with more capacity than the tank-size label suggests, adjustable flow, a protected…
Best quiet filter for a bedroom aquarium
The quietest bedroom aquarium filter is usually one with adjustable flow, a fully submerged or well-isolated motor, and enough capacity to…
Best sponge filter for a fry tank
The best sponge filter for a fry tank provides gentle flow, dependable biological filtration, and no exposed intake that can trap small…
Filter floss as cheap mechanical media
Aquarium filter floss is an inexpensive way to trap fine particles and improve water clarity. Learn which type to buy, how to use it…
Troubleshooting
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Air pump versus a powerhead for surface agitation
An air pump and a powerhead can both improve surface movement, but they solve different aquarium problems. Choose an air pump for gentle…
Green water: more filtration or a UV unit
Green water is usually caused by free-floating algae, so a UV clarifier is often faster than simply adding more filter capacity. Filtration…
HOB versus canister filter
HOB filters are simpler and easier to maintain, while canister filters offer more media capacity and flexible filtration. Choose based on…
Setup & accessories
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Adjustable air pump for two sponge filters
An adjustable air pump for two sponge filters should provide two controllable outlets, enough pressure for your tank depth, and stable…
Airline tubing and check valves for a sponge filter
A sponge filter needs a compatible air line, a properly oriented check valve, and an air pump matched to the tank. Here is what to buy and…
Surface skimmer add-on for a HOB
A surface skimmer can remove film and floating debris from the top of an aquarium while your HOB filter handles normal mechanical and…
About our guides
Aquarium Pumps & Filters publishes informational guides for aquarium pumps & filters. Product options shown in articles come from Amazon catalog search results that pass this site’s relevance filters. A catalog result is not evidence that a product was tested in a lab or used long-term.