Choosing the right filter for your tank is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when setting up a fish tank. It can be overwhelming because there are so many different types and brands to choose from, but it doesn’t need to be.
Read on to learn about the best filter for 10 gallon tanks, and to find out which brand is best for you.
Our Top Picks
Filter for 10 Gallon Tank: Reviews
AQUANEAT Aquarium Air Driven Bio Corner Filter
This is an air driven bio-wheel corner filter. It comes with six trays and a full set of extra ceramic media, so you have plenty of room to grow your bacteria colony before you have to replace anything.
The media is fully concealed within the unit, so there is nothing for your fish to get in to. The filter provides very gentle circulation and four different spray patterns to choose from. You’ll never have to worry about loud noises with this filter.
This is an ideal filter for a 10 gallon aquarium with plenty of room to grow your bacteria colony through the filter media. It is very quiet and has a filter cartridge that is easy to access and replace.
The price is reasonable considering the long life of this filter and it comes with everything you need except for activated carbon and water conditioner, which you may want to purchase depending on what your tank contains.
Pros
- Quiet, easy to clean, filter cartridge is easy to access and replace
- Large filter media capacity
- Easy to access media compartment
Cons
- Only one filter cartridge
Fluval C Series Power Filter, Clip-On Aquarium Filter
This filter is extremely popular because it works well and has a small footprint. It comes with an activated carbon cartridge and foam pad that should be replaced every month or two, depending on your tank load.
You’ll want to make sure you have enough water movement through the filter to keep the activated carbon from clogging too fast. This filter will work well in most situations, but you will need to make sure that it has the proper amount of water movement.
Pros
- Sturdy design, easy to replace filter cartridges, small footprint
- Consumes activated carbon quickly if not enough water flow
- Inexpensive and quiet. The filter cartridge is easy to access and replace, and it has a large media capacity
Cons
- Only one filter cartridge
Seachem Tidal Power Aquarium Filter – 35 Gallon Capacity
This is an ideal filter for a 10 gallon aquarium with plenty of room to grow your bacteria colony through the filter media. It is very quiet and has a filter cartridge that is easy to access and replace.
The price is reasonable considering the long life of this filter and it comes with everything you need except for activated carbon and water conditioner, which you may want to purchase depending on what your tank contains.
Pros
- Quiet, easy to clean, filter cartridge is easy to access and replace
- Large filter media capacity
- Water tight seal
Cons
- Only one filter cartridge
Aquapapa Bio Sponge Filter 20 or 40 Gal
This filter only uses water flow to run the carbon and foam part of the filter media. You’ll need to clean the sponge regularly with saltwater, using an old toothbrush. The activated carbon can be replaced as needed, but it’s best just to leave that alone unless you’re doing a big water change or switching over to fresh activated carbon.
It does take up a lot of room in the tank and it is not at all adjustable, so you need to make sure that it will work for your water current.
Pros
- Easy maintenance
- Wide range of compatibility
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Only one filter cartridge
NEWKOSEA Aquarium Air Filter Double Sponge Filter
This filter is similar to the one above, but it has a double sponge instead of just one. This means that there are two active surfaces for growing bacteria colonies on.
It’s still very easy to clean with saltwater and an old toothbrush as well. You can purchase different types of activated carbon cartridge if you need something specific for your fish tank.
Pros
- Easy to maintain
- Easy to clean
- Wide range of compatibility
Cons
- Only one filter cartridge
FAQ
What are the best filter media for 10 gallon tanks?
The best filter media for 10 gallon tanks is activated carbon. You’ll also need some type of sponge or other biological media to grow bacteria on so that your tank can maintain itself. Some people like ceramic noodles, though they tend to get in the way when you clean the filter cartridge.
How often should you clean the filter media in a 10 gallon tank?
It’s best to change all of your filter cartridge media at least once a month, especially if that space is being used by carbon. If you have other types of biological media that can grow bacteria, then it would be okay to just rinse that off with saltwater and leave it there. You can switch out the biological media once a month as well, especially if you want to speed up the cycling process on your new tank.
What filter is better for 10 gallon tanks, internal or external?
It depends on what type of fish you’re keeping and whether or not you’ll need to do water changes often. Most people use internal filters since they’re less messy and have a low profile. External filters are great for water current or if you have a very large tank with a lot of fish that produce a lot of waste, as the filter media will fill up quickly.
Conclusion
The best filter for a 10 gallon tank is the Fluval C Series Power Filter, Clip-On Aquarium Filter. This filter will work well in most situations but you have to make sure that it has enough water movement through the activated carbon cartridge or else it can clog up quickly. The other filters are good choices as well, depending on your needs and budget.
If you want a filter with two active surfaces for bacteria growth, then the NEWKOSEA Aquarium Air Filter Double Sponge Filter is your best choice. If you want something that saves space and is easy to clean, then the Seachem Tidal Power Aquarium Filter.
Jenn Frazier
Aquarist & Writer 22+ Years