If you have an aquarium, you need a good filter to keep the water clean and the fish alive. That said, from the hundreds of choices, selecting the right one can be a challenge, but this is what we’re here to help with today. So let’s get to it and find out the best filter for a 55-gallon aquarium.
Our Top 5 Picks
Best Filter for 55 Gallon Aquarium: Reviews
SeaChem Large Aquarium Fish Tank Filter
This is a hang-on-back aquarium filter for large tanks. It is ideal for 55-gallon tanks but can handle tanks up to 110 gallons because it has a very high maximum flow rate of 450 gallons per hour; it can process the water in a 55-gallon tank roughly eight times per hour. Keep in mind that it also features an adjustable flow rate to meet the needs of your tank.
Hang-on-back filters are great because they don’t take up much space inside the tank. Sure, you need some clearance around the tank, but it doesn’t eat up real estate inside the tank.
Moreover, hang-on-back filters like this are easy to set up and maintain. This one has a self-priming pump to help make setup easier. It also has a maintenance alert feature to ensure that it stays in good condition.
In terms of filter media, it has a large filter basket. Therefore, you can add any media you want. However, it comes with mechanical and biological filtration media to get you started.
Pros
- Very high flow rate
- Flow rate is adjustable
- Sturdy design
- Great price
- Easy to maintain
- Huge filtration media capacity
Cons
- A bit loud
- Not much media included
Fluval 07 Series Performance Canister Filter
This is a large and powerful canister filter that can handle even the largest tanks. This model, the 407, can be adjusted to a flow rate between 145 and 383 gallons per hour. Keep in mind that this is an external filter, so it doesn’t take up room inside the tank.
It is also impressive that it doesn’t use much power, which helps save money. Moreover, it is also one of the quietest canister filters, so it won’t disturb you or your fish.
It has various features that make setup and maintenance easy, including easy-lift media baskets, an aqua-stop valve, lift-lock motorhead clamps, and a quick primer. It’s definitely a user-friendly option.
There are four substantial media baskets, so you can add media as you see fit. Moreover, it comes with all the filter media you need to get started. This includes a variety of mechanical, chemical, and biological media, and lots of it too.
Pros
- Space saver
- Easy to operate and set up
- Comes with tons of media
- Can perform all three types of water filtration
- Tons of room for media
- Very durable design
- Energy efficient
- Silent
Cons
- Fairly high price tag
- Tendency to leak if not well maintained
MarineLand Magnum Polishing Internal Canister Filter
This internal canister filter fits inside your tank with a straightforward setup and mounting process. This is due to the mounting suction cups. The top is easy to access for media replacement, yet also very secure, so it won’t open up in the tank.
This unit is not the largest, so it won’t take too much tank space. It comes with all of the filtration media you need to get started – mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration media. In addition, there are two refillable chambers for housing customizable filter media.
In addition, it is designed for tanks up to 97 gallons, with a 290-gallon-per hour flow rate. This means it can process the water in a 55-gallon tank up to five times per hour. As a result, it’s a unique yet functional filter, which comes at a reasonable price.
Pros
- Doesn’t take up too much space
- Easy to maintain
- Very quiet
- Performs all three major filtration types
- All filter media included
- Simple mounting
- Adjustable flow rate
- Good price
Cons
- Not the longest-lasting
- Starts to make noise with prolonged use
AquaClear Fish Tank Filter
If you’re looking for an affordable and straightforward aquarium filter, this could be it. It comes in various sizes, with this one being ideal for tanks between 40 and 70 gallons.
This beast can handle up to 300 gallons per hour, filtering a 50-gallon tank nearly six times hourly. It also features an adjustable flow rate.
On a side note, this unit comes with a lifetime warranty which is nearly unheard of with aquarium filters, especially those as affordable as this.
Hang-on-back filters like this are convenient because they don’t take up much tank space. Thanks to the design, the filter is effortless to maintain; it’s easy to get into, so you can quickly clean and replace media when needed.
It also has plenty of room for media and comes with everything you need to get started, including a mechanical foam filter, activated carbon, and BioMax biological filtration media.
Pros
- Space efficient
- Easy to maintain
- High flow rate
- Adjustable flow rate
- All three filtration types
- Filter media included
- Great price
Cons
- It can be a bit noisy
- Not the most durable
SunSun Hw303B Pro Canister Filter Kit
This high-end filter is designed for heavily populated tanks. It has a maximum flow rate of 370 gallons per hour, more than enough for a 55-gallon tank, and an adjustable flow rate.
The top has an easy-to-open lid for simple maintenance and a simple primer pump button for easy starting.
This unit comes with 3 media baskets for the major types of filtration. It also comes with mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration media.
Now, what really stands out is its 9-watt UV light that kills algae and bacteria. For this reason alone, it might just be the best option on the list today.
Pros
- All three filtration types
- Tons of room for media
- Easy to open and maintain
- Easy to prime
- Features a UV sterilizer light
- High flow rate + adjustable
- High-quality build
Cons
- UV light requires regular replacement
- It can be a bit loud
Conclusion
If you are looking for the best filtration capabilities, the SunSun Hw303B takes the number one spot. That said, all five aquarium filters reviewed today will work well enough for a 55-gallon tank.
Jenn Frazier
Aquarist & Writer 22+ Years