Water is the most important part of any aquarium. A great filter will help keep your tank healthy and clear. There are many different types available for large tanks, but not all filters work well with each type of substrate or water chemistry. You need to know what you want before deciding on a filter for your tank.
Aquariums come in various shapes and sizes, so it’s important to choose the right size water filter for your needs. Read on as we cover some of the best aquarium filter for large tanks.
Our Top Picks
Aquarium Filter for Large Tanks: Reviews
Eheim Pro 4+ 250 Filter
The Eheim Pro 4+ 250 Filter is one of the most efficient filters available. It has a flow rate of 260 liters per hour and can hold up to 4 different filter media in its two chambers. This large capacity filter can handle aquariums up to 500 gallons, but it might be too large for smaller tanks.
You can set this filter to recirculate or you can attach a hose and direct the flow where you want. This versatile filter is too large for most tanks, but it’s perfect for people setting up an aquarium with heavy filtration needs.
Pros
- Versatile – Can handle different tank sizes or flow rates
- Adjustable Flow Cons Too large for most tanks
- It’s large volume allows it to perform quickly and efficiently
Cons
- Only effective against suspended particles and debris
Cascade Canister Filter for Large Aquariums
The Cascade Canister Filter is an efficient and powerful filter that keeps your tank looking its best. It has three different types of filtration to make sure you get the cleanest water possible. The most notable feature with this large capacity filter is its ability to vary flow rate throughout the different chambers.
You can either have a slow flow with a high output or a fast flow with a lower output. This makes this filter versatile enough to use in tanks that have different needs. You can hold up to 4 different types of media and the large pump gives it the power to clean even the dirtiest tank.
Pros
- Can handle heavy loads of filtration
- Can add many different media types
- Variable output allows for different needs of filtration
Cons
- It’s heavy and bulky and must be placed on the floor of your aquarium stand
Tetra Whisper EX Silent Multi-Stage Power Filter
The Tetra Whisper EX is a high output filter that can handle larger tanks. This filter has three different chambers, each with its own filtration media to make sure you get the cleanest water possible. The first chamber is for coarse pre-filtering and large debris, the second chamber is for chemical and biological filtration, and the third chamber is for biological filtration.
With 3 different types of media that can be used in any combination, this filter can handle just about anything you throw at it. The Tetra Whisper EX also has an adjustable output so you can vary how much water your tank receives per hour. This combined with its low-noise motor makes this a great filter for your tank.
Pros
- High output can handle large tanks or multiple fish
- It is versatile with different media options
Cons
- The number of media chambers makes it difficult to clean if something goes wrong
AquaClear Hagen Power Filter
The AquaClear Hagen Power Filter is a powerful filter that’s easy to use. It has an adjustable output so you can control how much water your tank gets per hour, and it also allows for different types of media in each chamber.
The first chamber is the coarse pre-filter which removes large debris, the second chamber is for chemical and biological filtration, and the third chamber is for biological filtration. This easy to use filter can handle tanks of up to 110 gallons with ease.
Pros
- Adjustable flow rates allow you to control how much water your tank gets
- Has a large capacity
- It is easy to use and has a low maintenance design
Cons
- This might be too large for some aquariums
Penn-Plax Clear-Free Premium Under Gravel Aquarium Filter
The Penn-Plax under gravel filter is a cost effective solution to keeping your fish tank clean. The entire filter sits under your aquarium gravel bed, where it draws in water from the top of the tank and pushes it through to the bottom. This means that all debris will be removed before you see it, but there are no mechanical parts in the filter itself.
The Penn-Plax under gravel filter is designed for aquariums up to 20 gallons in size, but it is recommended that you have a surface area of at least 9 square inches. This filter comes with activated carbon built into the bottom plate so you get chemical filtration right out of the box.
Pros
- The under gravel design means there is no time wasted cleaning the filter pads
- It is cost effective and easy to maintain
- It’s low profile means it won’t take up a lot of room in your aquarium
Cons
- You must change the activated carbon every so often, which can be expensive
Conclusion
All of these filters can keep your tank clean and they all have their pros and cons. Depending on how much space is in your fish tank, you may need to go with a larger or smaller filter than recommended.
You should also take into account how much time or money you are willing to spend cleaning the filter pads, because some of these filters have more media chambers than others.
No matter what filter you choose, keeping your tank clean with a filter is always better than not using one at all.
Ben Morales
Aquarist & Writer 15+ Years