Cloudy water is one of the first problems new fishkeepers run into — and honestly, one that experienced hobbyists still deal with from time to time. I’ve troubleshot this in my own tanks more than once over the years. The frustrating part is that cloudiness has several different causes, and treating the wrong one can make things worse. Once you know how to read the type of cloudiness, though, most cases clear up quickly.
Dealing with a cloudy fish tank? If you have dealt with this, you will know it is one of the most frustrating things that can happen in the fish tank water. I get your pain, as I have been in the hobby for over 25 years. While the problem is not as common on the saltwater tank side, it is far more common for freshwater tanks.
There are several reasons for cloudy water in freshwater tanks. In today’s post, I’m going to go through the 7 most common reasons for a cloudy fish tank, and 5 ways you can go about resolving the issue. Knowledge is power in this hobby and I’m here to empower you! Let’s get started.
Key Takeaways
The most common reason for a tank that is murky or water cloudy is having a new tank
Proper maintenance and stocking are good ways to prevent a tank from becoming cloudy
If your tank needs to be cycled, consider bacteria in bottle products
Glass can also make your tank look hazy, clean the inside and outside of your glass
Why Is My Fish Tank Cloudy? The 7 Most Common Reasons for Cloudy Water
Murky water sucks. It makes your tank look ugly and unappealing. Fortunately, there are 7 common reasons for it occurring, they are:
Check out our video from our YouTube channel below. We go into more detail in the blog post. Free to follow along with both.
1. New Aquarium and Murky Water
Cloudy water in a fish aquarium and a new tank go hand in hand with our hobby. It is very common for this to happen when you are cycling a tank or have a newly-cycled tank. When you start adding livestock to the tank, you introduce new sources of nutrients and waste to the tank. If you add too fast, the system is thrown off balance.
As a result of this imbalance, the beneficial nitrifying bacteria in your tank reproduce like crazy in order to digest the excess nutrients. The massive amounts of new bacteria create a cloud, which results in your water looking cloudy. The best way to fix cloudy water issues is patience. Just stop adding fish and let your tank settle down. It should clear up on its own.
During this time, it is a good choice to do a water test with an aquarium test kit. You will want to look at the big three new tank parameters, which are going to be Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate. Ammonia and nitrite are going to be your biggest concerns with a brand-new tank.
2. Overfeeding
If you have an established tank, this is a common reason for tank water in your aquarium to become cloudy. It’s understandable to want to feed your fish all the time. After all, they usually greet you when they see you with their cute little faces. They look at you, and the top of the tank waiting for you to feed them. If you start feeding a lot, your system gets thrown off balance and a bacteria bloom occurs.
Lay off the feeding for a bit and test your aquarium water. It’s actually a good thing to have your fish go without food for a day to let their digestive systems settle down. Excess food is problematic and can lead to dirty aquarium water. The only fish you don’t want to do this with would be fish that lack stomachs, like goldfish. Look out for automatic fish feeders as it is easy to overfeed with them.
3. Too Many Fish
Too many fish in the tank is going to lead to a dirty-looking aquarium. Adding them too fast will also cause the water in the tank to look clouded. Slow yourself down with additions and avoid adding any more fish until you get this problem under control.
When planning out fish, a really great site to get an overview is AdAdvisor. Just plug in the fish you want to add and run the calculator. As a rule of thumb, you do not want to increase your fish population by 50% and you want to spread out your additions to 4-6 week timelines so your tank has time to balance out. The only time I feel where you can get away from this is if you have done a dry start for a planted aquascape. Here is the link to the calculator.
4. Inadequate Filtration
Filtration is a major cause of this problem in an established tank. The main culprit here is going to be your mechanical filtration. Cheaper power filters tend to use coarse foam, which finer particles will pass through. When it comes to canister filters, the issue may be the choice of foam. Fortunately, high-end brands like the Biomaster Thermo will have multiple foam densities you can choose from. If you have a heavily populated tank, you might want to consider going for a finer foam.
If you are using a power filter, you might want to consider adding a layer of filter to improve your mechanical filtration. I prefer to use the blue floss that is put in canister filters and sumps. You can purchase it in bulk online and then cut it to fit.
Decaying matter can cause murky water in your tank and will get dirty fast. The biggest piece of decaying matter is going to come from a dead fish. Check your tank every day and see if all the fish you own are accounted for. Sometimes, if your fish are breeding, you may have dead fry that is dirtying up your tank water.
The other factor is going to be chunks of uneaten fish food and decaying plant matter. Check your substrate for both and trim off any decaying leaves you see on your live plants.
6. Your Glass
Your glass can be a source making your tank water look murky. The main cause is from bacterial biofilm. Biofilm looks the most obvious on aquarium driftwood like in the photo below, but it also grows on your glass.
This biofilm will stick to your glass and give it a cloudy look if left unchecked. On larger fish tanks, your tank will have a slight tint to it that will make it look a little darker. Low iron rimless aquariums and acrylic tanks will have better clarity and show better than traditional glass tanks.
7. Your Subtrate
New substrates can cause cloudiness or milky water that will look hazy if they are not rinsed. Always make sure you wash your substrate thoroughly before putting it in your aquarium. The other cause can be an existing substrate that is stirred up. Stirring up too much of your substrate at once can cause the release of additional nutrients, which will cause a bacterial bloom or cause discoloration of your aquarium water causing it to look milky. If you are going to stir your substrate, it is best to do so when gravel vacuuming so you get most of the debris that comes out
5 Ways To Deal with It
Alright, so we know the 7 common causes of cloudy aquarium water. Let’s talk about what we can do about it. It’s actually simpler than you think and here are 5 ways to get rid of it:
Proper Tank Maintenance
Making Sure Your Glass Is Clean
Proper Filtration Maintenance
Cycling Your Aquarium
Improving Quality Of Light Duration
1. Proper Aquarium Maintenance
Proper maintenance on your tank is going to be the #1 solution for white cloudy aquarium water. Most problems in this hobby can be resolved with a water change. A water change can bring balance back into your aquarium and balance the water chemistry. In most cases, clouded water is going to be a result of a bacterial bloom due to spikes in nutrients. Doing a water change will remove these nutrients and get everything in balance. If the problem is more serious, you will need to do more water changes over time to get everything back to where it should be.
In extreme cases, 40-50% water change every day or every other day is not uncommon when dealing with a serious nutrient spike that causes a tank to become dirty. Gravel vac your substrate. If you have a fine substrate, surface skims it with the gravel vac to remove the top layer of debris.
2. Making Sure Your Glass Is Clean
Both the outside and inside of your glass matter. Outside of the tank, water stains on the glass can make your tank look like there is hazy water when trying to look in. Work with a safe cleaner, like white vinegar, or better yet, use a DIYers secret weapon – Magic Erasers!
Yes, that’s correct. The original Magic Eraser by Mr. Clean has been a blessing for acrylic aquarium owners for many years and goes unnoticed in our hobby. I’ve used it on the outside of the glass with great results. Rumor has it that it works inside the tank as well, but I’m not that brave ?. Still, I’ve had hobby friends tell me that it’s like cleaning with a plastic scraper and is completely safe. I’ve only had personal experience on the outside. For the inside, I prefer a razor blade for glass or a Flipper Cleaner.
I love the Flipper. Just put it in your aquarium and clean from the outside. You can even move it to other sides of the tank with its flipper feature. Simply Amazing!
The Flipper is amazing for cleaning the inside of your tank. It’s been my go to for years. It is also a great way to get your kids involved, as they can clean from the outside without having to put their tanks in the tank. There is also a cool factor with flipper the scraper when you move it to the other sides of the tank. It will scrape off the toughest of algae from your glass and make your glass look spotless!
3. Proper filtration maintenance
If you slack on filter maintenance, this can lead to dirty tank water problems. Your mechanical filtration is not operating at its maximum efficiency. Get into those filters and replace your filter floss and wash out your sponges. You should be changing out your filter floss every other week. For all the filter media you clean, make sure you clean them out with your tank water. If you use tap water or RO water, you risk losing those beneficial bacterial colonies in the process.
Clean out the piping in your power filters and the tubing in your canister filters. If you have mechanical filtration, consider replacing it for a fresh set. Sometimes upgrading to a premium chemical filtration media like chemi-pure will help, though it is expensive to do. All this maintenance pays off because your filters will operate at their best, keeping your tank water looking crystal clear.
4. Cycling Your Aquarium
If you have a new tank, cycling your aquarium is your first step to avoiding having a brown water tank. Reduce your feeding and don’t add any more fish until the problem goes away. Test your water for ammonia and nitrite levels and do a water change to reduce the excessive nutrients.
Another thing you can consider if you have a newer tank is getting used filter media from a disease-free tank. This will import beneficial bacteria that will jump-start the cycle. You can also opt for using beneficial bacteria-in-a-bottle solutions like Fritz Turbo Start 700.
Fritz Turbo Start is known in the industry as the fastest acting nitrifying bacteria you can purchase. This 700 version is specialized for freshwater tank and has my highest recommendation
If you are looking for a longer-term solution, a UV Sterilizer is a great addition for not only water clarity purposes but also for disease mitigation. Check out my article on Aquarium UV Steriliziers for more information on what makes a good one. There are many out there, and only a few that I would recommend.
5. Improve quality of light and Reduce Lighting Times
Poor lighting can really dull out your aquarium and give it a hazy look. This is more common with LED lighting as the light is more focused than T5 lights. Because the light is focused, it can lead to a disco effect and shadows can dull out your tank. I prefer an LED fixture that expands to the length of the entire tank like the Twin Star or Fluval planted tank led.
If you have T5s, it may be time to replace the bulbs. Getting new bulbs will brighten up the aquarium and make it look more lively and clearer. T5s in general also tend to display a clearer tank, given their even spread of their light. You can get close to this with LEDs, but only with higher end LEDs, like the ones I mentioned previously.
Reducing your lighting time can also help. This will slow down the reproduction of algae which will keep your glass and water clear.
Common Questions (FAQS)
Why Is My Aquarium this way?
A tank can get dirty or look clouded for one of the 7 common reasons. You have a new tank, you are overfeeding, you are overfeeding your fish, your tank is overstocked, you do not have enough filtration, there is a dead fish or decaying matter in the tank, your glass needs to be cleaned, or you have put in new substrate.
Is Dirty Water Bad For Fish?
The appearance of clear cloudy aquarium water is not bad for a fish, but is a sign of imbalance and possibly a greater problem. The first thing you should do when you see hazy water would be to assess your water quality by testing your aquarium water. Get a baseline of your nutrient levels and take action as needed. Usually a water change will help put things back in balance.
How Do I Make My Aquarium Water Crystal Clear?
Great filtration, a good aquarium maintenance schedule, and keeping your stock levels stable are the best ways of making your aquarium water crystal clear. You can also purchase equipment and supplies that can assist greatly like an aquarium UV sterilizer.
Will A Filter Clear Hazy Water?
A filter can fix cloudy aquarium water. If your tank is new, your filtration system needs to catch up to balance your tank. If you have a heavily stocked tank, you may lack filtration and may need another filter to alleviate water that looks cloudy or hazy. Other times, the filter is the problem because it’s dirty and needs to be maintained.
Can Driftwood Make My Aquarium Murky?
Driftwood can make a tank look cloudy or murky. However, the most common issue with driftwood is it can turn your aquarium water a tea like color due to the release of tannins. Some aquarium owners like this look, I personally don’t. If you want to avoid that tea color, purchase a driftwood with a low tannin count like Manzanita or Tigerwood
Conclusion – Share Your Experiences
Implementing a proper aquarium care routine will help to avoid cloudy water tanks. Various types of fish that can also make the water cloudy such as Yellowfish and tropical fish, so you have to make a regular cleaning schedule to maintain your aquarium. Tropical fish also require specific water and temperature conditions, or they will get sick. Sand and other equipment can also affect the water in your aquarium when not properly cleaned.
Have you dealt with dirty water before? How did you clear it up? Share your experiences below and let’s start a conversation! I hope you found this article helpful. I also love to hear from my readers. We have all dealt with this before and we can work together as a community to help others. Thanks for reading and see you next time!
Marine velvet is the disease I fear most in a saltwater system — more than ich, more than bacterial infections. I’ve seen it kill entire tanks within 48 hours when it goes undetected, and because the early symptoms are so easy to miss, it often does. Running a 125-gallon reef for years, I’ve learned to spot the signs early and act immediately. If you keep saltwater fish, this is the one guide you can’t afford to skip.
Marine velvet is one of the most deadly diseases in the saltwater hobby — it kills faster than ich and is often misidentified until it’s too late. I’ve seen it wipe out entire tanks, and I’ve helped hobbyists navigate outbreaks after they reached out through my YouTube channel. The key is recognizing the early signs and acting immediately, because once fish are in late-stage velvet, your window to save them is very narrow. This guide covers exactly how to identify marine velvet, differentiate it from ich, and the treatment protocols that give your fish the best chance of survival.
What You Need To Know (The Facts)
Name
Amyloodinium ocellatum
Common Treatments
Chloroquine Phosphate or Copper
Short-Term Treatment
Acriflavine or Formalin bath
Causes
Transferred from infected fish, corals, or water
Fallow Period
6 weeks
Common Symptoms
Numerous white dots on the body, fins, flashing, swimming to flow of wavemakers, erratic swimming behavior
What is Marine Velvet? (Amyloodinium ocellatum)
Marine Velvet Disease, scientifically known as Amyloodinium ocellatum is a dinoflagellate (not the same brown stuff mentioned in my other post). It is well known for killing prized saltwater fish in less than 24 hours, and it spreads the most during the warmest months of the year in the aquarium trade. If you are well versed in the hobby, you will often hear of increased cases of this disease during the summer. It makes summer one of the riskiest times to purchase fish locally or online.
Because it is a dinoflagellate, it has unique features compared to other diseases in our hobby. It is often mistaken as ich (Cryptocaryon irritans), and because of this, you should learn the differences between the two.
Marine Velvet vs Ich – The 4 Key Differences
It’s very easy to confuse these two diseases. I’ve heard many folks say, “ich wiped my tank.” However, their stories, of how quickly everything happened, made me suspect it was actually Velvet. Let’s go into the four main differences so you know what you are tackling. They are:
The number of spots
Type of free swimmers
Life cycle
Time of infection
1. The Number of Spots
Your first indicator is usually the number of spots. Ich’s white spots are spread out and easy to count. With Velvet, the spots are so numerous it’s difficult to count them all. It’s almost as if the fish was dusted with white power (source). You can see an example of both diseases below. Note how the purple tang has spots spread out while the Achilles tang has spots all over its body, including the eyes.
Marine VelvetIch
2. Type Of Free Swimmers
Because Marine Velvet disease is a dinoflagellate, the free swimmers are called velvet dinospores, while ich’s are called theronts. While this is a technical term, one thing to know is that dinoflagellates feed off sunlight which makes it susceptible to blackouts, UV, and Ozone – though once you have an outbreak you will need to take more extreme measures to fight it off. All of these will control the spread, but will not cure an already infected fish!
3. Life Cycle
Velvet averages a 4-day life cycle and there are more attacking free swimmers than ich. This is why they can overwhelm and kill fish so fast. Ich’s life cycle can be as long as 2 weeks.
4. Time Of Infection
Because Velvet is a dino, it remains infective for up to 15 days. This is because as dinos, they can feed off sunlight. Ich is only infectious for up to 48 hours. The fact that it remains infective longer and attacks in larger numbers and longer is what makes this disease far deadlier than ich.
Life Cycle
As I mentioned before, the life cycle is only 4 days and starts when a Velvet dinospore attaches to a fish’s skin. The attached velvet dinospores are then called trophonts. This trophont will feed on your fish for several days before detaching. Sometimes, the trophonts are so numerous and overwhelming that it will kill the fish before it shows any symptoms.
Once the trophont detaches, it is called a tomont. These tomonts divide until they burst. When they burst, they become new velvet dinospores. These dinospores then attach to a new host, starting the lifecycle all over again.
Let’s illustrate this lifecycle with an image. The image below is from Dr. Fish himself, Humblefish. He is the go-to for all marine fish diseases in our hobby. Check out his site for further info on all other saltwater ailments and treatments.
Treatment (How To Cure)
Marine Velvet disease needs to be treated ASAP. You need to treat it in a quarantine tank as all effective medications against it are not suitable to be used in reef tanks. There are several steps you will need to take:
Get the proper medication
Get a test kit
Set up a quarantine tank
Perform short-term relief procedures
Perform treatment procedures
1. Get The Proper Medication
Step number 1 here. The preferred treatment option for Velvet is chloroquine phosphate. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its mass usage for treating malaria1 , it is getting difficult to find. Even with a vet, most are now reluctant to prescribe it to a hobbyist. Chloroquine phosphate is highly effective and can be used with no ramp-up time. However, given its lack of availability, it will not be your primary treatment option.
Copper is your new go-to treatment option. We will need to do some additional steps to make it work against Velvet. There are two types of copper: ionic and chelated. Ionic copper is what you will find in most fish stores due to the availability of SeaChem Cupramine. It has a shorter range of therapeutic levels (0.4 – 0.5 mg/L) and degrades fast. It’s not my preferred choice.
Chelated copper is stable and has a larger range of therapeutic levels. Fish are more tolerant to it than ionic copper, and it is generally more effective against diseases than ionic copper. My preferred choice for chelated copper is Copper Power by Endich. Make sure you get the blue version, as there is a green version that is exclusive to freshwater Velvet. The effective range for chelated copper is 1.5 to 2.0 PPM. If you want research-backed info of copper medications – see this write-up from the University of Florida (UF is also the source of my featured image).
Unfortunately, most stores will not have Copper Power in stock. Amazon Prime is your best bet for fast delivery. If you are researching this article and do not have a fish that is sick, I would purchase some now. It has a long shelf life.
2. Get A Test Kit
If you manage to get your hands on chloroquine phosphate, you are in luck. You do not have to use a test kit for CP because there is none available to the hobbyist. Only lab-grade equipment can test for CP and that is way out of the price range of most people, and also not available to purchase unless you are a lab tech.
If you get copper, you will need a test kit. There are many factors with copper that call for a test kit. For one, copper gets absorbed by lots of things in your aquarium – your filter, the silicone in your aquarium, and any decorations. This is why hospital tanks are set up with PVC piping and simple power filters or sponge filters.
Of all copper test kits available, the best out there is the Hanna Checker
3. Set Up A Quarantine Tank
A proper quarantine (AKA hospital tank) is a must. You will need to remove all fish from your display tank as the disease will need to be starved out of your display. More on this later when I explain the fallow period. Depending on the number and size of fish, most people will be working with a 10, 20L, or 55-gallon tank when treating for Marine Velvet disease. I prefer the 20L gallon since it is a nice combo of size, space, and cost-effectiveness. A 55-gallon tank is used for large or multiple fish. Ammonia levels should be monitored with a SeaChem Ammonia Alert Badge.
I walk you through the part selection below in my video. I bookmarked it to the section where I go through each piece of equipment.
The main concern with a hospital tank is not having a bacteria culture to jumpstart it. If you have media in your display tank, move it over to the hospital tank to seed the tank. I would also recommend using Bio-Spera. This is my preferred choice for bacteria in a bottle for hospital tanks because you can find it everywhere – even in chain pet stores.
4. Perform Short-Term Relief Procedures
Because most of you will need to use copper to treat Marine Velvet disease, you will need to perform short-term relief procedures to give your fish relief from the disease. To do so, we will want to use an Acriflavine or Formalin bath. Since Formalin is a controversial medication and even banned in some states, Acriflavine is going to be our best choice.
There is actually one product in our hobby that contains both Acrifalvine and Formalin, That product would be Ruby Reef Rally. This is the preferred solution for providing relief to our fish. Here are the steps:
Prepare a 2.5 gallon or 5 gallon bucket depending on your fish size with a heater and air pump
Put your display tank water into the bucket
Add the recommended dosage of Ruby Reef Rally to the bucket and mix fully
Place fish into the bucket and allow 90 minutes to observe for signs of stress
Remove fish and place it into your hospital tank – start the next relief procedures
Ruby Reef Rally is my go to for dips. I use it for disease relief and also before I introduce any fish into my quarantine tanks. It is available at most local fish stores.
If you are unable to procure Rally, you can do a 5-minute freshwater dip. Walking through a freshwater dip can be a separate article in itself. Here is a video from Meredith Presley to get you going. She does this for gill flukes, but a freshwater dip is an effective short-term option for Marine Velvet disease.
5. Perform Treatment Procedures
It’s time to attack this disease full-on. Since there are two ways to tackle this beast, I’ll walk you through both.
Treating With Chloroquine Phosphate
If you are fortunate to get this wonder drug, here is how you eradicate Velvet with it:
The typical dosage is 40mg per gallon
Use a digital scale when measuring your dosage
Use your hospital tank water in a cup to pre-dissolve the solution
For Velvet – you will need to maintain 40 mg per gallon for a minimum 14 days to treat – 30 days is preferred
If a water change is done, you must replace the water with medicated water using the same 40mg per gallon dosage
To top off water, you will not need to add medication
I provided my video again, this time at the 7:00 mark where I walk you through how I mix CP in my quarantine tanks. You can see how I use the digital scale to measure, how I pre-dissolve, and how I add it to the aquarium.
Treating With Copper
Copper is a bit tricky because we have to work with the ramp up time. Most fish cannot tolerate an instant ramp up to therapeutic ranges. This is why we need to perform those short term procedures I explained previously to buy us time. We will need to perform a 24-hour ramp up. Here are the steps to getting us to effective levels:
Start off by raising copper levels to 1.0 ppm – verify with your Hanna Checker
Over the next 24 hours – raise your levels to 1.5 ppm. Do this every 8 hours, raising 0.125 PPM each time
After you raise it to 1.5 ppm – bring it to 2.0 ppm over the next 24 hours. Do this every 8 hours, raising 0.125 PPM each time
Treat for 30 days keeping levels above 1.50 ppm. If you drop below 1.50 at any time, your countdown to 30 days starts over!
The Fallow Period – How to Eradicate The Disease In Your Display Tank
Treating the disease in the hospital tank and saving your fish is the first battle we fight. Completely eradicating Velvet from your display is how to get a total victory. To do this, we must understand the fallow period needed to wipe it out. I also need to explain what fallow means.
Fallow means no fish in your display. Velvet needs the fish as a host, without the fish, the disease starves out and can’t reproduce. Any coral inverts, and clean-up crew you have in your display can stay in your tank. This can be really discouraging for a reefer to have a fishless tank. There have been times that I have recommended to a hobbyist to impulse buy corals when at the beginning of the fallow period. Just buy a bunch now.
Why would I say that? Because after you place all those corals you always wanted, you can begin your fallow period. It’s something you can look forward to. When your fish return they will be treated to new corals and structures to explore in a disease-free tank! The fallow period is also a long time.
How long is it? The fallow period needed to completely wipe out Velvet from a display tank is 76 days. Yes, I know that is a long time. Now you see why I’m suggesting you go buy those corals you always wanted now where there is no risk to spread disease to your fish!
During this time, you must make sure you do not cross-contaminate your tanks. Keep your hospital tank 10 feet away from your display tank and use separate nets, buckets, and equipment. Make sure you wash your hands before switching tanks with a reef-safe cleaner like dawn dish soap.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m going to add some FAQS here that I get from readers and also to help with visibility online so people can find this post. If you have any questions, I encourage you to leave a comment below. I will add to this FAQ over time.
Can Fish Survive This?
Yes, fish can survive Marine Velvet disease. They will need treatment to survive, however. Surviving fish have been known to develop an immunity to the disease, but can still be carriers. This is why we must treat the disease and completely eradicate it from your display tank.
How Do You Get Rid Of It?
There are two medications that are effective in getting rid of Marine Velvet disease. The most available is chelated copper using a product like Copper Power. The other medication is chloroquine phosphate, which is more effective but difficult to obtain. Both need to be treated in a hospital tank, and a fallow period must be done in the display tank to remove it completely.
How Do You Treat It?
You need to treat Velvet with either chelated copper or chloroquine phosphate in a hospital tank, then have a 76-day fallow period in your display tank to completely remove it from the system.
How Long Can They Live Without A Host?
Marine Velvet can live without a host fish for up to 72 days per a Texas A&M study. This is why I recommend a 76-day fallow period. This builds a buffer so you can ensure complete eradication
How Long Can A Fish Live With This?
It depends on the fish, but generally most fish cannot live with Velvet longer than 1-2 days. Some will die before they have any visible symptoms! This is why it’s critical for you to begin treatment as soon as possible. It is not a disease to take lightly!
The most resistant fish in our hobby are those with a thick slime coat. These would be fish like clownfish, mandarins, wrasses, and rabbitfish. Nevertheless, Velvet is capable of wiping out every fish in your aquarium!
I hope this guide got you all the information you need to combat this tank killer. Marine Velvet disease shouldn’t be taken lightly. You should run to your local fish store to get supplies now if you are dealing with it. If you are not dealing with it, work on building up your medicine cabinet now. It may save your fish’s life one day or save a fellow reefer’s fish. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. I’ve successfully fought off Velvet in the past and I am happy to share my experience with you.
📘 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Saltwater Fish & Reef Guide — your ultimate resource for marine fish, coral care, reef setup, and more.
I get asked all the time where to buy fish online — and I take this question seriously, because buying from the wrong source is one of the fastest ways to lose fish. I’ve ordered from dozens of online vendors over 25 years, and the difference between a reputable seller and a bad one shows up the moment your box arrives. This guide reflects real experience buying fish for my own tanks.
Looking for the best place to buy fish online? I get this asked of me a lot and it brings back memories of when I started out in the saltwater tank hobby back in the early 90s. Back then you just went to the local fish store to get your fish, live plants, and corals. I remember there was a store called Flying Fish Express and me told myself how crazy this is that you can get a fish shipped to you overnight.
I have been have beenBeen Buying Fish Online For Over 20 Years: I have been embraking on my aquatic journey since the late 90s and have witness the boom of the online fish stores. I have been buying fish online since the late 90s and I have hands on experience working at local fish stores and understand the shipping process from unboxing numerous wholesaler boxers over the years. I developed one of the most comprehensive quarantine processes as documented on my YouTube Channel and have lent my expertise as the technicial editor for two books about freshwater and saltwater fish care (Freshwater Aquarium For Dummies and Saltwater Aquarium For Dummies). My passion for this hobby is why I write on this blog for my readers. I want the best for you and your finned friends.
No one wants to see a list of 50+ stores to buy fish, you only want the best of the best right?
My Top Picks
Let’s get straight to the point with my go to picks. These are the three places I trust the most. I will have others I list in this blog, but these three on the main standouts and cover most of my readers needs.
My friend Rob, whom I’ve known for several years at Flip Aquatics has the best quarantine process when it comes to the freshwater trade. BucePlant is my go to for freshwater plants and for high end freshwater equipment. TSM Aquatics is the only place I will purchase saltwater fish over $100 now, as their quarantine process is unmatched.
Since I can only include 3 in my top picks. My post goes into 5 separate categories with top 3s for each. Here are the categories.
Many of these stores I have purchased from personally over the years, and others I have gotten to know from my time in aquarium clubs and with other aquarist friends.
I included a video from my YouTube Channel. If you like our content, be sure to subscribe as we post new videos every week. We include a summary of the list below and go into more detail in our blog post.
Top Freshwater Store on the Internet
Most of us are used to buying freshwater fish at local fish stores since their variety and care are pretty good. After all, most freshwater fish are tank bred these days. There are a few places I would recommend if you are looking online.
Founded in 2010. Robert and his team at Flip Aquatics have set the standard for conditioned freshwater fish. One of the best selections of freshwater shrimp and nano fish on the internet
I’m a huge fan of Flip Aquatics. In fact, I’ve known Rob for a few years and have run into him a few times at Aquashella in Chicago and Dallas.
Rob started Flip Aquatics in 2010 and has set the standard when it comes to best practices in freshwater fish conditioning. He was the first in the industry to have a full 30-day quarantine process for shrimp. No other retailer on the internet is as robust when it comes to raising and selling properly conditioned shrimp. You can check out his video below from his YouTube channel. He is now the #1 online freshwater fish retail on the internet.
Rob and his team have also ventured into conditioned nano fish. You can now purchase the following fish types from his store:
This is my go-to for high-quality South American and African Cichlids. They have been around since 1970 and have been one of Florida’s leading tropical fish farms in the US. They have been a wholesaler to fish stores for many years and only recently have decided to branch out and offer their fish to the general public.
They specialize in African Cichlids, American Cichlids, Rainbow Fish, and Tetras. Their website has a few in construction pages, but they are easy to reach via email and are quick to respond. Because they are mainly a wholesaler, their shipping is expensive, so either order in bulk or order with a friend to keep your shipping costs low. They do not offer a free shipping option so keep that in mind when buying.
King Koi and Goldfish is a family-owned business that has been operating since 2016. They are known for providing the rarest and most exotic Bettas and Fancy Goldfish on the internet. They even sell rare Ranchu, and show-size Oranda goldfish. They also sell Koi fish, but I do not have familiarity with their Koi Quality. One thing that sets them apart is their quarantine process.
This is one of the rare online shops that have a large selection of Betta Fish where you do not have to deal with import sellers. It is tough to find a quality what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG) seller of Bettas and King Koi and Goldfish nails it. They work with top breeders to obtain unique Bettas. There is a lot of peace of mind that you aren’t risking it with an overseas seller that may ship fish over under a lot of stress or infected with diseases.
They will ship orders the next day and will ship to Canada!
Aquabid is the eBay of freshwater fish buying. They have been around for ages, as you can tell by their outdated-looking interface and website. However, this is the place where a lot of folks go when they are looking for rare and what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG) freshwater fish. You can find some rare imported freshwater fish this way, some you typically will not see in stores.
It is pretty crazy to think about how Aquabid has managed to build its community over time, especially with all the shipping matters when it comes to shipping live aquatic animals. Aquabid’s interface can look odd, but they have been doing it for years and once you get to know the sellers they will be a good source of unique freshwater fish and other livestock.
Buce Plant offers a wide variety of aquatic plants for sale. With one of the largest selections in the US, you will find what you need here. They are also a great source for freshwater shrimp!
Buceplant is a Freshwater focused aquarium store that sells mainly live freshwater plants and freshwater shrimp. Buce was created by aquascaping hobbyists for the planted tank enthusiast. They are located in Southern California and their name came about because they became the premier Bucephalandra provider locally.
They offer a variety of high-end cultured live plants and back everything they sell with a guarantee. You can purchase just about any freshwater plant for your aquascaping project and even purchase the stones and aquarium driftwood directly from them. They are also one of the few online sellers that sell the highest-end freshwater equipment brands like UNS Aquariums.
They also have a stellar freshwater shrimp collection. They have a bunch of varieties including Fire Red Cherry Shrimp and Amano Shrimp. If you are a big aquascaper and looking for a wide variety of plants, this is a great stop! Give them a try!
I’m a big fan of Cory. He has one of the most informational YouTube channels on the internet about the freshwater hobby. He covers a lot of basic and intermediate material that really takes the intimidation of the hobby away. He’s been an inspiration of the blog style that I do here to keep things simple and approachable for all. He also owns one of the best local fish stores in the country.
Cory and his team sell a variety of freshwater plants. They have all the basic beginner aquarium plants and several rare varieties. His team lives this hobby with a passion and it shows with the quality of plants you get from them. Cory has been part of our community for a long-time and he represents an ever shrinking list of online sellers who are truly small businesses. More and more of these online stores are becoming large corporations like Live Aquaria. It’s good to see Cory is still around serving the hobby as one of the little guys.
Amazon would be one of the place of places you won’t think of at first, but there have been a number of high quality sellers such as SoShrimp, GreenPro, and Big Pete’s Aquatics. For fish, Toledo Fish has been a great source of value cost Goldfish and Koi. If you have been a regular Amazon customer (let’s face, most of us are at this point), it doesn’t hurt to look at what is available.
Where To Get Saltwater Types On the Internet
Ah, my favorite topic. I am unashamedly a saltwater fish and reef tank junkie. Selecting saltwater fish is a tough job as the quality of livestock varies and there is a risk of diseases that can wipe out your tank. You only want to purchase from a top retailer with a solid history. Here is where I get my fish.
Saltwaterfish.com has a great history as an online seller. They have been around since the early days and built their own community with a message board that customers regularly interact with to give advice on saltwater fish keeping. They offer a variety of saltwater fish for sale, corals, live rock, inverts, and even reef tank setup supplies.
They are a saltwater fish store that will offer you a 15 day live guarantee on fish. These guarantees from sellers like SWF are the reasons why I get so many of my saltwater fish online now. Many local fish stores will not give you this guarantee. It’s the best piece of mind you can get in hobby.
They ship all their fish via FedEx overnight and you only need to spend $99 to get free shipping. That may seem like a lot, but saltwater fish are expensive. It’s pretty easy to get up to that level with 2 fish, sometimes one. You can see now why that guarantee is really important! No one likes to spend over $100 and have a fish die the next day and your investment just goes up in smoke!
These people care and it shows with their over 4,200 Trustpilot reviews. Give them a chance when you are shopping. You won’t be disappointed! They are one of the best online fish stores.
Live aquaria got a lot of bad rap when they were acquired by Petco back in 2015. Before they were acquired, they were Flying Fish Express. Yes, that’s right, the original online fish store. Live Aquaria has been shipping fish to customer’s doors since the 90’s. I would consider them the top dog sales wise when it comes to saltwater fish. These days though, I shop with them in only one section. That would be Diver’s Den.
Diver’s Den would be a what you see is what you get (WYSISYG) shopping section where Live Aquaria displays fish for sale and you get the exact fish in the picture. Each fish is put through Live Aquaria’s quarantine process. While the process is no where near as robust as my quarantine process, it is still one of the best out there in the industry and really the best place to go if you aren’t a fan of quarantining saltwater fish.
Live Aquaria has expanded into freshwater fish, koi, live plants, and corals over time, all of which are offered via Drivers Den. Their livestock has a guarantee like Saltwaterfish.com. Driver’s Den is more expensive, but if you are willing to spend a little more, this is a great option to look at for high quality saltwater aquarium fish.
This is the place I recommend when you are looking for exotic saltwater fish and want them to be completely quarantined for you. TSM offers the rarest and highest quality saltwater fish in the hobby!
TSM Aquatics is where I refer all my high end clients. If you are looking for the most exotic fish, the newest tank bred varieties, and want the best quarantine process in the industry, TSM is where you go. They are a standard above all other fish stores. They have super rare and exotic saltwater aquarium fish like the Gem Tang, Wrought Iron Butterflyfish, Flame Fairy Wrasses and Crosshatch Triggers!
All their fish are put through a rigorous quarantine process, the best I have seen in an saltwater fish store. You can even pre-order fish and they will put it through their process and get it ready for you. They are the best full-service fish store you can find today. All their fish are expensive as a result, but for my high-end clients who don’t want to deal with the QT process and want the most exotic fish money can buy this is where you go.
If you are looking for any single saltwater aquarium fish over $200, I would highly recommend you shop here over any other saltwater fish store.
Saltwater Corals On the Internet
Ah my favorite topic. It’s so easy to get lost in that saltwater candy. I’m guilty of impulse buys here, but I’m comfortable to purchase from these three sellers. To me they are the best sources on the internet.
TCK Corals is the place to go online to get the rarest and best-looking corals online in my opinion. It’s also the only place I will shop if I’m looking for an exotic bubble tip anemone type like a Black Widow or Rainbow BTA. They sell WYSIWYG corals, so every coral you see in their style is the exact coral. I also like that they are not heavy photoshop issues, an all too common problem I see with online coral dealers.
Their prices can be pretty expensive, however, they do have frequent specials. They are selling off their reputation. They have been around since 2007, based in NY, and have a stellar rating online as the source to go find the rarest corals and anemones. This is a coral shop you definitely want to visit often!
Ebay can be a tricky place to buy saltwater corals from. You can get some of the most exotic and nice looking corals from there, but there are also a number of bad sellers on their who photoshop like crazy. I am a fan of EBay myself and know the shops to look at. I’ll make your search easier by point you towards the ones I’ve had the best experience with:
Always do your own research when looking corals on EBay. Check reviews, check around in your local reef clubs, and check forum reviews. A bad coral seller won’t last long, but they will often rebrand to keep selling online.
Unique Corals is a family owned coral seller in Van Nuys, CA focused on environmentally responsible livestock collection for reef hobbyists, retail stores, and public aquariums
Unique Coral is a great place to get stock corals and WYSIWYG corals from. They also have bubble-tip anemones for sale, inverts, and some fish for sale on their site. They are also one of the few sellers out there that offers financing on large coral purchases. While I’m personally not a fan of that, I know several reefers like to do this to spread out payments for their builds.
They are a family owned business with a 6,000 square foot facility in Van Nuys, CA. They supply livestock to hobbyists, fish stores stores, and even public aquariums throughout the country.
Top Store To Purchase Koi (And Also Pond Goldfish)
Buying Koi is definitely a high-end hobby. There are some really fancy Koi you can buy these days and not everyone has access to a local garden nursery to get high-quality Koi. Fortunately, I have several I have dealt with over the years.
Next Day Koi is a e-store that is completely dedicated on shipping you the finest exotic Koi to your door. They focus on WYSIWYG Koi. Every fish you see on their website is exactly the one you will get when you order. They back all their orders with a 14 day live arrival guarantee and will also allow you chose your delivery date.
I really like that feature about them, as we are all busy people with schedules. It’s a nice feature to pick your date instead of trying to order on the right date to ensure it gets there when you are actually home. They sell a variety of koi including butterfly koi and all the popular koi fish types. They even sell pond goldfish and highly quality koi food.
You also get a 10% discount from me when you shop with them. Use my offer code ASDEPOT to get 10% off your order!
Kloubec Koi Farm is a direct dealer of exotic Koi. They have a farm that is 80 acres in size and have been around for over 30 years. They are known as the premier breeder of champion Koi in the US. They produce Koi to many retailers and they have a comprehensive quarantine process. They are also unique in the space as they do not rely on imported Koi. Every Koi you purchase from them was domestically born.
You actually have two ways you can order from them. You can either order directly on their website or you can shop their EBay store, which you can find bulk packages and super rare Koi for auction. Check out the Ebay store if you are looking for a champion-level Koi fish. The prices can get pretty crazy!
Internet Stores To Avoid
There are a few online fish stores I would not recommend. Below are a couple I steer my clients away from
1. PetSmart
Freshwater, tropical, marine
US Based
PetSmart is a source you can get live fish from online, however, I generally avoid it. The livestock quality isn’t that great – especially on the saltwater side. For freshwater, you can get fish from there; however, I would just rather go to other sources I mentioned above online. They do sell aquarium supplies, but honestly, if you are shopping for supplies, it’s best to buy from Chewy, which was the e-commerce subsidiary that they acquired in 2017 and then split off in 2020.
2. Petco
Freshwater, tropical, marine
US Based
Everyone in the US knows about Petco as they are the largest retailer of pet supplies in the country. However, they have issues with quality when it comes to caring for freshwater and marine fish. For marine fish, the tanks in most of their stores simply aren’t designed for them. Many fish you purchase from them will often be very stressed as a result. There are good Petcos though, but usually, there are more bad ones than good ones.
However, there is one way to purchase from Petco without all the issues that you see in their local stores. That would be purchased directly online. The reason why is the fish purchased from their online store are drop-shipped from the distributors. These distributors are usually going to be the same that many local fish stores in your area are going to use. This is no different than purchasing fish at the local fish store that just got shipped and is still in the bag.
While it will need conditioning and I recommend quarantining fish shipped overnight, they can be purchased at great prices from Petco. They also have a guarantee on freshwater fish.
Pro Tip: I'll make it very clear to my readers here that I ONLY recommend purchasing fish from Petco online since I know they dropship from the distributor. Your mile will vary if you purchase in store.
They are also great for getting supplies in a pitch though. I’ve gone to Petco before in a pinch when my local fish store was closed for supplies. If you are looking for conditioned/quarantined livestock, I would recommend buying from their subsidiary that specializes in it – Live Aquaria.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it, folks. That’s my recommended list of the best places to buy fish online. Are you a fan of a store that I left off of the list? Give a comment below and let’s start a discussion. If you are looking for guidance on how to set up your fish tank, I have several guides below that might help get you started.
Setting up a reef tank is one of the most rewarding things you can do in this hobby — and one of the most intimidating if you try to research it online. After 25 years in the saltwater side of this hobby and running a 125-gallon reef of my own, I understand how overwhelming the conflicting advice can be. Everyone has strong opinions on filtration, flow, lighting, and dosing, and beginners often end up paralyzed by contradictory information. In this guide I’m cutting through that noise with 7 things I consider genuinely essential for reef tank success — the fundamentals I wish someone had laid out clearly for me early on.
Reef Tanks Setup – The 7 Essentials
I get it, information is everywhere and not all sources of information are good to use either because some innocently tries to give you an answer not really having the knowledge because they want to help or the source of the information is biased with sponsors (looking at you YouTube). I’m completely sponsor free here and while I run a e-commerce shop, I am happy to refer folks to other sites and vendors to get the right equipment for them.
With saltwater reef tanks, while there isn’t one definitive answer, there are concepts for success. Following these concepts will put you in the best position to succeed. These 7 essentials are:
Figuring out what you want (planning)
Getting the right equipment
Obtaining quality saltwater
Understanding light needs
Knowing the flow you need
Adding livestock
Maintenance
1. Figuring Out What You Want (Aquarium Planning)
This part here can cause the biggest buyers anxiety or just get folks spread thin instead of focusing. To have success with a reef tank, you need to be focused on what you want to build. Saltwater fish and corals have various requirements and not coming up with a plan can cause all sorts of problems in the long run. The factors you want to consider are:
How big is your space?
What is your budget?
How much time do you want to put into your tank?
Yes, just these three. I am not even focusing on what fish you think are pretty or what corals you think look cool. The reason why is because you aren’t grounded to the limitations you have. I don’t want you to overstretch. A saltwater aquarium contains aquatic living beings after all. It’s heartbreaking to lose them, and it does happen often in this hobby for various reasons – with planning or impatience usually being the main culprits.
How Big Is Your Space?
This should be the first consideration you should think about setting up your reef aquarium. Where are you going to place your reef tank? If you only have space on a desktop or have an apartment, your choices will be limited. If you have a large space, but your significant other isn’t keen on you taking up a 1/4 of the living room with a massive tank, you are going to want to size down.
Tanks when it comes to interior design are accents to our home and a place of quiet and serenity for you and guests. You don’t want it be massive to the point where it is creating visual noise in your desired area. It needs to fit and highlight your home.
In saying this, the largest saltwater aquarium for most people will be a 4 foot long tank. This typically has the best options for builds and livestock and the dimensions make it easier to build a high end setup. A 6 foot long reef tank can do similar in a larger space, but is going to be more expensive, which brings me to the next factor.
What Is Your Budget?
Budget is a major limiting factor when it comes to reef aquarium building. It’s a fact that reef tanks are expensive. And it’s not just the equipment, but the fish and corals as well that add up to the space. Think about what you can afford for your initial setup. The general rule of thumb that has worked for me on client builds is $40 per gallon on a quality saltwater aquarium setup.
So if I take that rule then a 40 gallon reef tank should roughly cost $1600 to get it up and running with a quality setup. Can I go lower than that? Of course I can, but bear in mind we will have livestock to purchase and ongoing maintenance costs. One best practice I like to do with clients is when I get the number they are willing to work with, I try to size down.
For example, if someone tells me they have a $5000 budget for a 120 gallon reef aquarium, I will try to talk them down to a 75 gallon tank using the same budget. This gives you more wiggle room to purchasing the fish and corals you want and also go up in quality on the equipment you can purchase. This also finally gives you a budget on the most missed part of most hobbyist’s setups – aquarium power outagereadiness.
How Much Time Do You Want To Put Into You Saltwater Aquarium?
This is the final limiting factor you will need to consider. Reef tanks require maintenance, and the more advance the setup, the more time you are going to be spending maintenance. While larger tanks are more stable and easier to be successful (hence the “bigger is always better” saying in our hobby), they also require more time to maintain.
A good example of this is comparing the 125 gallon mixed reef tank I had versus my 40 gallon breeder. The 125 gallon reef tank required 20 gallon water changes and needed a 10 gallon auto top off container. I needed a large brute trash can to make water changes and have to had an RODI System on deck to make 0 TDS water. It got to be a chore so I make a DIY water changing station.
The 40 gallon breeder on the other hand only needed a 5 gallon bucket to change water. I could have purchased water from the fish store at that size or could have used a more budget friendly RODI system.
The 40 gallon reef aquarium was an all in one so I only need to care about the return pump and wavemakers for maintenance. The 125 gallon had an oversized protein skimmer, a sump, and larger fish that needed to be feed regularly. The corals were more advanced in the 125, requiring a dosing pump and more considered on the fish I selected.
The 40 gallon was just a softie tank and got to the point where it didn’t really need water changes – a reef tank owner’s dream.
2. Getting The Right Equipment(Setting Up A Saltwater Aquarium)
Equipment is critical for your reef tank. With modern reefs, it has gotten to the point where equipment runs off controllers and can do all sorts of automated tasks. With this in mind, it also makes it easy for you to either buy yourself poor or just want to get every new toy manufacturers come up with every year. Here are the basics of what you need to get started. Fortunately, I have buyers guide for each one which I will link to:
Aquarium Stand – Either buy a high quality one or consider DIY or hiring someone to make one
Return Pump – Whether you go all-in-one or with a sump everyone will need one
Wavemakers – Corals need flow. Wavemakers are the best source for getting consistent flow to make your corals thrive
Lighting – These days Reef LEDS are the rage. Consider a hybrid lighting system if SPS is your thing
Heater – An Aquarium Heater and a proper heater controller setup is essential. Always go with a heater controller. Heaters fail too often!
Reef Salt – If you want corals, you need the right salt. There is a specialized salt for every build
Rocks – Either live rock or dry rock. Personally I recommend a combination of live and dry rock to avoid Dinoflagellates
RODI System – For larger reef tanks. Consider a budget system for smaller ones
Notice I did not include a sump? Since an all-in-one tank doesn’t need an Aquarium Sump it’s off the list. I also left off a Protein Skimmer as smaller tanks do not need one. Protein skimmers are a consideration for larger saltwater aquariums.
3. Obtaining Quality Saltwater
Reef tanks need 0 TDS water. Without 0 TDS water, you will run into algae problems – typically hair and cyanobacteria due to the high levels of nutrients you are introducing into your system. There are two ways to obtain this water.
The first way is to purchase distilled water at a store or RODI water from your local fish store. Some local fish stores will sell you saltwater already mixed. All options work. The main issue you run into is if you have a tank emergency and it’s late at night or weekend, you are out of options.
That’s why I recommend that every reef tank owner purchase a quality RODI system for their aquarium. It is a one-time investment that will be with you on your entire reef aquarium keeping journey. Even if you decide to get out of the hobby later, you can always convert your system to a drinking water solution just running the RO piece of the system.
Lighting is a major factor with a reef tank. It is also a consistent source of confusion and frustration with every new reef keeper. The main issue I see with out hobby is overbuying LEDs for corals that don’t really need it. I’ll attempt to break it down very simply for you. There are three factors when it comes to lighting that you must know:
Intensity
Spectrum
Coverage
Light Intensity
Light intensity with corals is measured in either Lumens or PAR. Most of us use PAR. There are three types of corals in our trade and they will have different PAR requirements they are the following:
So when you just think about, the highest end corals will generally thrive in environments of 350 PAR. Let’s talk about this for a moment. Many manufacturers just light to boast about their high PAR figures. Really, if you can get consistent PAR, it doesn’t matter how high the PAR stated from the manufacture is. It’s just a number they like to brag about to think it is the best because it’s easier to talk about PAR versus the next factor.
Spectrum
Spectrum is the holy grail when it comes to coral. I don’t care how high that PAR number is from the manufactuer. If they get a high PAR number because they use a bunch of white LEDS (a common way of upping PAR), you will not get good results with that light.
Blues, violets, and UVs speak when it comes to coral grow, and the top manufactures like EcoTech understand this. Other manufactures like Kessil focus on Spectrum primarily over light intensity for this very reason. Spectrum is everything when it comes to coral growth. PAR is easy to manipulate. The only important manufacturer I’ve seen that gets this is Ocean Revive in the budget range, which is why many Coral Growers use them when trying to save money.
Coverage
So you got the right PAR and Spectrum, but still have issues? What could be the problem? That would be coverage. This is another major issue with lower quality lighting. They are build off narrow 60 or 90 degree lenses in order to pump up those PAR numbers, which leads to hotspots and board PAR ranges. The high quality manufacturers will use 120 degree lenses and double down on coverage so that PAR spreads more eventually the deeper you do into the tank.
Despite this, with a reef aquarium that is dominated with SPS corals, you will deal with shadowing with LEDs. This is because LEDs are designed to be a focused light source. To balance out coverage in these systems, a hybrid system is often use that combines T5s and LEDs. This combines the spread of T5 lights with the decrease electricity and maintenance costs of LEDs.
5. Knowing The Flow You Need
Corals have various flow needs depending on what type you keep. SPS corals generally need high flow while most soft corals like Zoas and Mushrooms will do flow in lower flow. I’ll break it down simply here:
Soft Corals – 15-20 times gallons per hour
LPS Corals and Mixed Reefs – 20-30 times
SPS Dominated – 45 times and up
So to provide an example, if you have a 75 gallon mixed reef tank you should be aiming for 1500 gallons an hour in flow as a minimum. You would place corals that want more flow at the top of the aquarium and those that prefer lower flow at the bottom. Flow is primarily regulated by your wavemakers.
6. Adding Livestock
Once you figured out what you can work with and cycled your tank, it’s time to work on adding livestock. The great things about corals is you can add them as soon as your tank is cycled. Fish can as well, but there are other factors to consider.
Many folks, including myself prefer to quarantine fish. Saltwater diseases are rampant today and getting more mutated with vendors using low doses of cooper in their holding tanks and with the conditions of our oceans with wild caught fish. I actually have a detailed post on How To Quarantine Saltwater Fish. Definitely give that a look!
You can now purchase quarantined fish online. If you are looking for that, TSM Corals is my go to. They have the more comprehensive quarantine process I have seen in the industry. I use them exclusively for my high end clients. No one likes spending $200 on a fish only to have it die from marine velvet with no guarantee.
Also check out my article on reef safe fish for good picks.
7. Aquarium Maintenance
Now that you got a reef tank going, you have to maintenance. It’s more than just water changes (which in all honestly you can get away with doing less of these or even none when your tank gets older!), you have to maintenance stability in your tank.
For LPS, SPS, and Mixed reefs, this involves keeping your reef parameters up – Calcium, Alkalinity, and Magnesium. You will need to get on a regular water testing schedule to monitor your levels. You will also want to test for nitrates and phosphates. You keep up your reef parameters with doing. Most of use a two part solution. For nitrates and phosphates, if they are high we can lower with water changes or using media like GFO.
There are also low nutrient tanks, a common issue a modern reef aquarium where you will actually need to dose phosphate and nitrates to keep your levels healthy in your aquarium.
Ideal Parameters Are:
Alkalinity – 8 – 11 dKH
Calcium: 350-450 ppm
Magnesium: 1250-1350
Phosphate: 0.001 to 0.25 (never go zero)
Nitrate: 1 to 10 (for most corals — never go to zero)
Salinity: 35 ppt or 1.026 specific gravity
Dosing can be done by using a dosing pump. There are even dosing systems now like the Neptune Triton that can automate dosing for you while testing your water at the same time! It’s all a matter of how much you want to invest in your tank. I always recommend people get on a regular test schedule with their reef aquarium first before going the automation route. You want to build up the discipline of checking your reef tank so you stay on top of things.
Reef Tank equipment will need to maintained as well. RODI and white vinegar are the cleaning tools of choice here. Just do a blended solution. a 1 to 10 solution will work for general cleaning and a 50/50 will work for tougher jobs. Just get a bucket, dip your equipment in there. After a few hours, get a brush and scrub off the the parts. If you are dealing with Coralline algae, consider dipping it into the solution overnight.
Got Any Questions? Ask For Help 😁
Got any buyer’s anxiety or not sure what to do? Ask a question in the comments and I will get back to you! I love talking to my readers and seeing them grow on their reef aquarium journey. No question is a silly one. Thanks for reading and see you next time.
📘 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Saltwater Fish & Reef Guide — your ultimate resource for marine fish, coral care, reef setup, and more.
Dosing pumps are one of those pieces of equipment that reef keepers either swear by or never bother with — and I understand both camps. When I set up my 125-gallon reef, manually dosing two-part was manageable at first, but as the coral load grew, consistency became critical. A good dosing pump takes the guesswork out of it completely. The difference in stability I saw after switching was noticeable within weeks.
Looking for the best aquarium dosing pump? It is common to have a lot of buyer anxiety when it comes to buying one. After all, you just graduated into the next level of reefing when you start considering a dosing pump. It is the gateway to advanced reef tanks like LPS and SPS dominated tanks and getting into coral fragging.
This is an exciting time for you. I’ve been in your shoes when I first started with my favorite tanks, The LPS dominated tank. I was going crazy with euphillyas to the point where I needed to dose regularly to keep up my levels. Over my 25 years of experience keeping saltwater tanks, I’ve seen it all and been through the journey you are going through now.
Finding the a dosing pump that is right for you involves several factors. My goal with this post is to help guide you in your decision to make an informed buy. Let’s first talk about what to look for.
What To Look For When Buying An Aquarium Dosing Pump
Before we start comparing dosing pumps, we need to talk about what to look for when purchasing one. Dosing pumps are precision instruments and not every model can stay accurate for long.
Dosing pumps are a premium piece of reef aquarium equipment. It is for advanced reefers and can be a expensive purchase. A solid dosing pump has the potential to automate the supplement schedule of your aquarium. Others can even change your water automatically!
For these dosing pumps I’m reviewing today, this is my criteria:
Quality
Features and Accessories
Brand Name
Price
Dosing Pumps – A Quick Comparison
Now that we know the criteria I’m looking at, let’s see who makes the cut. The list below are the picks I would be proud to put into my tank setups. They are offered by high quality manufacturers who have been around for years. There is no up and coming venture backed company here. These are all high quality name brand controllers. Let’s continue further below.
With great premium features like the ability to auto change water and an industrial level pump, the DOS is the best piece of equipment you can purchase today for your doing needs.
The Neptune DOS is the most advanced doser on the market today. It is one of only two dosers on the market that is capable of performing automatic water changes. It is designed to function with the Neptune Apex system, which in my aquarium controller review, was named the best controller you can purchase in our hobby.
Because the DOS works off a controller, it has the ability to perform multiple functions. Aside from being able to perform automatic water changes, it can provide provide 2 part dosing and any other type doing like trace elements through the controller.
The DOS separates itself for others with its build quality. The tubing is 3.3mm in diameter, nearly double of the what you see standard. It allows the pump to not only run for shorter amount of time, but also prevent clogging and promotes a longer pump life.
The main issue with the DOS is it requires you to have a Neptune Controller. It won’t run without one. If you are looking for doser with its own controller included, you can look at the other options I review below.
The Bubble Magus Dosing Pump is a dosing all in one dosing pump. It is a self run unit that has German-made medical tubing and is easy for a beginner to use.
The clock feature is easy to setup and program and these units have been known for lasting a long time. They remind me Bubble Magus’ Protein Skimmers, which are seen as value buys in our hobby. Bubble Magus delivers a high end offering with a reasonable price tag with this dosing pump.
The main issue with this pump is the tubing. While it is German-made, the tubing is thin so it is best to replace it once a year. As long as you do that, you shouldn’t have any issues using this doser for the long-term.
I’m a huge fan of the Kamoer X1. When dosers first came out, they were expensive and lacked simplicity. The X1 is the answer to that problem. Not only is it easy to use with its WiFi enabled app, but you can grow with it. The initial investment is very reasonable and as you grow in the hobby you can just buy additional units.
Kamoer will allow you to chain up to 4 of these units within the mobile app. This gives you the flexibility of not just running two part solution for your corals, but also trace elements and macronutrients for those of you who run a low nutrient reef tank. The fact that you can grow into this system makes it an excellent choice for a beginner.
The only downfall I can find with this wonderful product is that it only comes with one pump. You have to purchase additional units and pair them. Fortunately, the price for these units are very reasonable.
The GHL Doser is Germany’s answer to the Neptune DOS. I would argue that this is the best overall doser on this list. It not only comes with 4 dosing heads, but it comes with it’s own controller that is WiFi enabled. The app itself is easy to use and the pumps are powerful. They can push and pull liquids up to 50 feet in length, giving you a lot of flexibility on where you place this pump.
You can add an additional slave unit to this dosing pump for a total of 8 pump heads all controlled by the mobile app. It has one of the most accurate and reliable doing motors and each pump can be calibrated individually.
So what keeps it off from my editor’s choice badge? Its the price. It is very expensive, almost double the price of most other dosing pumps available. It tends to be out of the range for most hobbyists. It is worth the investment if you can afford it. It’s the most accurate and reliable dosing pump money can buy.
Amazing for – Those Looking For The Best Money Can Buy
The EcoTec Versa is a peristaltic pump that runs of their Mobius app. An excellence choice if you already own EcoTech products. Can link up to 200 units per system
The EcoTech Versa is Ecotech’s Answer to the GHL Dosing Pump. It is a perisaltic pump that is designed to run off Ecotech’s Mobius app. As we have seen in my reef led review post, the mobius app is well designed and easy to use. The dosing pump offers three modes of dosing with automated, continuous, or manual.
This is a great pump solution if you are already running EcoTech equipment since mobius can run everything for you in the app. The pump system also has nearly limitless expansion. The app will allow you to run 200 versa pumps per system. That number is just unheard of – not even an aquarium controller solution can pull that off! This pump is definitely for the hardcore reefer with multiple tanks or the frag grower.
The price to start isn’t that bad either for a premium solution. Because you can purchase these on a per unit basis, you can start with two to get you started on a two part dosing solution and still be under $300. Given the brand name and quality, that’s not a bad place to start.
For – Those Looking A High-End Solution They Can Growth Into
The new WiFi enabled Peristaltic pump from Kamoer offers a great solutions for those who need something very accurate and desires consistent dosing throughout the day
Peristaltic pumps are very popular for advanced reefers and also in the medical industry1. Their biggest selling point is their ability to change flow rates while they are running. They are designed to run constantly.
This new version model works off a WIFI app, which means it user friendly and easy to use. These pumps work really well with calcium reactors. One of the biggest issues with calcium reactors is frequent adjustments. You will save a bunch of time switching to this solution over other pumps like the Tom Aquatics dosing pumps. Just set it and relax.
It comes with a heft price tag, but if you are running a calcium reactor, it’s a great choice.
Perfect For – Those Wanting An Accurate Device or Using A Calcium Reactor
The Jebao Dosing Pump is usually what reefers on a budget go for when they looking for cheap dosing pump to get them started. I saved this product for last on my list. You may be wondering why. After all, it has four dosing pumps and has a great price!
The main thing is that they have a history of bad quality control. Quality can vary when you order an import product and for something like a dosing pump, I would prefer to stick to higher quality brand. I feel the Kamoer X1 is a better buy and easier to use.
If you are looking for cheap and multiple pump heads, this can be the solution for you. Just make sure you calibrate the pump consistently.
Amazing For – Those Looking For A Cheap Option
Pros
4 Dosing Heads
Great Price
Cons
Quality
Needs To Caliberated Often
What Kind Of Tanks Will Benefit from This?
The best aquariums for a dosing pump would be reef tanks that have a heavy need for calcium and alkalinity. These would be aquariums that are dominated by LPS and SPS corals. They are also beneficial for tanks that run on low nutrients. This is a more common issue with modern reef tanks. They often run low on phosphates and nitrates and need to be dosed into other to keep them at stable levels.
Another good aquarium to use a dosing pump for would be high end planted tanks. You can use a dosing pump to automate your micro and macro nutrient dosing and keep your planted tank stable
The best aquarium dosing pump to buy would the the following three:
Neptune DOS – The best overall pump and works directly with the Neptune APEX
Bubble Magus – The best value in dosing pumps. Reliable and easy to use
Kamoer X1 – The more budget friendly way when it comes to purchasing a dosing pump
FAQS
How Do They Work in Tanks?
Aquarium dosing pumps work by injecting additives to your aquarium on a set schedule. They will often include controllers where you can adjust the injection rate and frequency. Others like the Neptune DOS, work with an aquarium controller and will have more advanced feaures
Do I Need This Device?
No, you do not need a dosing pump to run a successful reef tank. In fact, if you lack any hard corals like LPS or SPS corals, you will not need a dosing pump. Dosing pumps are best suited for reef tank owners who run LPS or SPS dominated tanks. You will also need them for mixed reefs as your hard corals get larger over time.
In saying that, there are many reefers who still manually dose these days. There are also others who upgrade to a calcium reactor. A dosing pump is the easier to use, and most pain free method of the three. They also work with planted tanks for micro and macro nutrient dosing as well as trace elements.
How Do You Set This Up?
A dosing pump is very easy to setup. Once you find the doing pump that fits for you, the main thing you will need to do is calibrate it. Every dosing pump has calibration instructions where you run some of your additives through the tubes to determine the flow rate of the pump. Once you calibrate, it’s a matter of knowing your dosing needs and setting up the schedule. Once you set up the dosing schedule, you will want to regularly test your aquarium water in order to see if you need to make any adjustments.
How Do You Calibrate this Device?
The best tip with calibration is to calibrate with the fluid you are planning to dose. Do not use water, as it is not the same thickness as the solution you are using. If you use water, you will likely calibrate incorrectly. It’s best to calibrate for 20 minutes into a breaker to get the flow rate. Measure with the breaker to calibrate.
What’s Your Favorite? (Your Turn!)
Get a model I missed that you want to talk about? Leave a comment below and let’s start a discussion. I hope this post helped you make an informed decision. See you next time!
🔧 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Aquarium Equipment & Gear Guide — your ultimate resource for filters, heaters, lights, pumps, tanks, and more.
An aquarium heater might seem like a boring purchase, but I’ve seen more fish deaths caused by heater failures than almost anything else. A heater that sticks on can cook your fish overnight; one that fails in winter can crash the tank before you notice. Over 25 years I’ve tested more heaters than I’d like to admit, and I’ve narrowed down what actually matters — accuracy, reliability, and safety shutoffs. These 11 are the ones I’d actually trust in my own tanks.
Are you struggling with finding a quality aquarium heater?
In this blog, we share the best products for aquarium heating, from submersible heaters to inline heaters. I also include aquarium controllers in the mix.
With over 25 years of experience in the aquarium hobby, I’ve assisted countless clients, hobbyists, and readers like you in overcoming their heater woes (and believe me, heaters are a headache with how often they fail). I’ve personally tested these products in real world scenarios to determine the best aquarium heater on the market. Check out our YouTube video below:
The Top Picks
I’m going to discuss multiple types of aquarium heaters at this point. But for those in a hurry, here is a quick view of the top 3 three. The answer may surprise you.
The best bang for the buck for those who are only able to purchase a single heater would be the Eheim Jager Aquarium Thermostat Heater. If you have medium to large setup, I would recommend the Finnex STE or go up to the Helio Heater if you have a lot invested in a tank (e.g. – a reef tank).
The Candidates – A Quick Comparison
There are many aquarium heaters out on the market for various tank size options out there. The list below was handpicked by our years of experience in the hobby and through various client builds. They all have their strengths in particular setups which I will explain below. This post will primarily focus on my aquarium heater reviews for the best fully submersible heater types.
Finnex has achieved what we as hobbyist have asked for decades. A reliable heater that won’t fail. Japanese components. Receives our top recommendation.
I’ll say it now and I’ll say it later in this post, aquarium heaters as a whole are generally prone to failure and highly unreliable. We as hobbyists, have struggled for years waiting for someone in the market to develop a heater that could be reliable and not destroy our bank account in the process. We finally have a player in the market who has finally delivered that reliable heating unit we have been waiting for.
The Finnex team at has developed the holy grail, a Controller with Japanese components and a advanced electronic heater element that rids us of all the nightmares of heater failure. What are the factors that scare us as aquarists with fish tank heaters? They are:
My heater gets stuck in the on position and fries my tropical fish
My heater cracks and explodes, which kills my fish
A large fish smacks my heater and cracks it
My glass heater is made of cheap glass that breaks over time from the heat stress
The Finnex team gave me the honor of providing me with a free heater so I could put in my friend Ryan’s tank. I have a video about the entire video below from our YouTube channel.
Here is what I love about this heater:
It’s Japanese made. I know how well Japanese made products are from the team at Tunze and ADA in the aquarium industry
It is accurate up to 1 degree – which is a benchmark for any heater controller I use
The dual circuitry built into the controller gives you a controller in a controller. The redundancy you need to prevent any type of overheating from failure
The controller is waterproof sealed, a step up from the Inkbird controller
It is ETL rated
While it is only covered by a 1 year warranty compared to a 3 year from BRS (more on them below), the Finnex STE is significantly cheaper and the controller is better making this is an overall best buy. I am and continue to be a fan of the BRS heater, however, the Finnex is more approachable. At its price point, it is more accessible to the general fishkeeping hobby, especially freshwater tanks, which I know is nearly 4 times bigger than the saltwater hobby.
In our review, Ryan and I did notice a problem with the heater. The heater is only designed to be on 30 minutes at a time. Because of this, my typical 3 watt per gallon rule of thumb doesn’t work here. You will need to size up appropriately. In Ryan’s 60 gallon tank, this required us to size up to the 400 watt package in order to achieve a reliable and stable temperature free of temperature fluctuations. Keep this in mind if you have amp concerns with your breaker or your controller if you use an aquarium controller.
This is the heater setup to purchase if you are looking for a top notch heater that is reasonably priced, won’t fail on you, and a heater that your fish can’t break (since the heater element is made of Titanium).
Pros
Japanese Components
Excellent controller with easy set temp features
Titanium heating element
Cons
1 year warranty
The controller doesn’t have a low and high temperature alarm
It’s expensive compared to other heaters like the Ehiem
Finnex STE Rating
9out of 10
Manufacturer of Origin9
Brand Name9
Accurancy9
Build Quality9
2. Eheim Jager – Old Faithful with Legendary Brand Name
Ah the Eheim Jager Aquarium Thermostat. They have been around seemingly forever and completely unchanged for ages, and there is a good reason why. It is simply a very well-built and reliable heating unit for both freshwater and saltwater tanks. Quality German-made, UL-listed electronics, and a manually adjustable heater gauge are its main features. The Jager aquarium thermostat heater has an accurate temperature sensor up to 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit of the desired temperature.
This makes it as accurate as the Cobalt Neo-Therms. It also has the ability to be re-calibrated! I has a thermo safety control which automatically shuts off the heater in the event that the tank runs low on water. The indicator light is also easy to see so you know when its working.
Because it is it a quality manufactured heater, it simply hasn’t been updated in years and looks the part. It is a big and bulky glass tube, it uses old school lab-grade glass, and the adjustable dial itself is cumbersome. However, Eheim’s legendary name brand is behind it and anyone who has been in the aquarium industry knows the great quality and durability that Eheim manufactured products bring. It’s ugly looking and big, but you won’t be disappointed using this as your fish tank heater.
Pros
German-made and Eheim name
Accurate up to 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit of set temperature
There comes a time with aquarium technology when a major breakthrough is made. We saw this when aquarium return pumps shifted from AC to DC and when we saw the shift from T5s to LEDs in lighting technology.
We now see the same shift with PTC technology with the Innovative Marine Helio. This heating unit is the first of its kind in the industry. It does not operate like the other heaters on this list that use traditional resistance wires to heater terms. This type of technology is quite old, originating from toasters. That’s right, the same technology used in many aquarium heaters today is no different than what you use to toast your bread!
The problem with this traditional technology is if these fish tank heaters are exposed to air or become covered in debris, they run the risk of overloading, which leads to the explosions and failures many of us experience hobbyists have dealt with in the past.
The Helio changes all of this. The PTC technology uses chips that are programmed to heat at predetermined set temperatures. This results in a safer and more reliable heater. It’s all controlled by the Helio controller. Both the heater and temperature control device were heavily researched by the IM team. They looked at how aquaculture facilities managed their aquarium water temperature. As a result, the Helio is developed like a commercial versus hobbyist grade product.
A new commercial developed product like this demands a very high price. This is the most expensive heater on the list but has the most potential of every heater here. The technology is promising. I see more and more high-end heaters in the future utilizing this technology as it matures, and the price as a result drops as more brands develop it. You will pay a price premium by adopting this technology early.
The heating element is made of titanium, which is unbreakable in our hobby and can conduct heat better throughout the body than other materials. It is German-made, a standout among a number of heaters that are now being produced in China.
When it comes to hearing and accuracy of this heater, the BRS element has been thoroughly tested and will maintain a temperature deviation of 0.5 degrees or less when equipped with a high-quality controller. This ensures that your tank’s temperature will remain stable and keep your aquatic pets healthy.
Being a titanium heater, the element is more efficient than traditional glass heaters. While it will consume the same base power, the heater is more efficient because the titanium construction will conduct heat better than glass. This will save you on energy costs and reduce the carbon footprint of the heater.
Being made from titanium, these heaters are the ultimate when it comes to durability. They are virtually unbreakable and will take the more extreme punishment from large fish and won’t explode on you. These fish tank heaters have the confidence of the manufacturer to provide a 3-year warranty.
Because of their makeup, they require a controller to adjust the temperature. You can either hook it up to an aquarium controller or use the model offered in the link above that connects to an Inkbird. The Inkbird has been a personal mainstay for me over the years, and I feel great using it with this system.
It’s a pricy heater, but it really is what fish tank owners have been looking for all these years. When you have a tank with hundreds or even thousands of prized tropical fish and corals (or tons of live plants) – you demand a heater that doesn’t fail. The titanium element offers you that peace of mind. It’s a must for anyone with a prized display tank.
Pros
German Made
3-year warranty
Works with a controller
Cons
Expensive
No models for smaller fish tanks
Inkbird controller isn’t as good as the Finnex STE
BRS Titanium Element Rating
9.5out of 10
Manufacturer of Origin10
Brand Name9
Accurancy9
Build Quality10
5. Cobalt Aquatic Neo-Therm – The Most Accurate on the Market
If you have a system that requires precise constant water temperature with sensitive inverts, corals, or tropical fish like a reef tank, the Cobalt Aquatics Neo Therm Heater can’t be beaten. Cobalt Aquatics computer tested all their Neo therm heaters. They are accurate up to 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit of the set temperature (better than most controllers on the market in fact), the Aquatics Neo Therm heater, to many in the reef aquarium hobby is the go-to – especially in nano tanks. The Neo-Therm is also one of the most compact heaters. It can fit in any all-in-one aquarium or nano tank and will hide well if placed inside the tank. For overall features, this is the best submersible aquarium heater you can buy today.
It does come with a higher price tag though. The Neo Therm heater is one of the more expensive heaters available and they also only come in smaller wattage sizes, meaning you will need multiple units to run a larger tank.
Pros
Accurate up to 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit!
Manual water temperature adjustment dial
Compact design – fits in all in one system
Cons
Only available in smaller wattage
Expensive
Neo-Therm Rating
8.3out of 10
Manufacturer of Origin7
Brand Name8
Accurancy10
Build Quality8
6. Aqueon Pro Adjustable – With a Limited Lifetime Warranty
If you are looking for a reliable shatterproof adjustable submersible heater, with a limited lifetime warranty, look no further than the Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater. Aqueon has been in the Aquarium industry for a long time and many of us have trusted them for our tanks as many of the standard tanks old these days are manufactured either by Aqueon or Marineland.
The Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater comes with a water temperature dial that is painless to adjust the temperature. Because it’s manual control, it is less prone for its temperature configuration to fail because the setting will not reset during a power outage. The Aqueon Pro is accurate within 1 degree of the desired temperature, which is adequate for most home aquariums, but would be considered suspect in a delicate environment such as a reef tank.
Pros
Lifetime warranty and Aqueon Name
Manual water temperature dial that will not reset in a power outage
The M-Series is Fluval’s value heater offering and one of the common ones you will see at pet stores and local fish stores. If all the heaters you will find at non-specialized pet stores, this will likely be the best glass heater you will find on the rack. It’s made of Borosilicate glass and backed by a 3-year warranty. Fluval has a big presence in our aquarium industry and many of its products are known for their reliability.
The M-Series is a budget heater. While it is not as high-end as the BRS heater element or as well-built as the Eheim Jager, it is still a competent heater. It’s also smaller and less bulky than the Jager, which makes it more suitable for all-in-one aquarium and smaller tanks.
While heaters are prone to failure, this is still one of the better ones out there. With proper backup protocols, you should be happy with purchasing an M-Series.
Pros
Good price
Hagen/Fluval name
Computer calibrated
More compact than the Eheim
The suction cups work well
Cons
Inferior to the Eheim heater
Still prone to break from large fish
No separate controller for redundancy
Fluval M-Series Rating
8.5out of 10
Manufacturer of Origin8
Brand Name10
Accurancy8
Build Quality8
8. Finnex Deluxe Titanium – Great for Monster Fish Keepers
For those of us with large tanks over 200 gallons, it is difficult to not only find a high wattage heater, but also a heater that is about to take the punishment of large aggressive fish who may thrash about in the aquarium and knock down rocks and equipment.
This is where the Finnex Deluxe Titanium Heaters answer the call. It is a titanium-built heater, which makes them virtually indestructible. A titanium heating element is more corrosive resistant than glass heaters, making it ideal for saltwater environments.
Before I discovered the Inkbird, this was my recommendation for someone who wanted to use titanium heaters. It’s cheaper than the BRS element, though the controller is not as accurate as an APEX or Inkbird.
However, because there is no adjustment dial on the heater itself, there is no redundancy on the submersible heater to protect against failure. The controller itself is only accurate up to 2 degrees Fahrenheit, which is fine for freshwater fish tanks and fish-only saltwater setups. Reef tank users will want to consider purchasing the Finnex Titanium Heater Rod only and go with a more accurate aquarium heater controller or utilize a high-end controller like an Apex Controller.
Pros
Titanium built design
Comes with a digital controller
Available in up to 800W
Cons
No adjustment dial on submersible heater itself
Controller is accurate only up to 2 degrees Fahrenheit of set temperature
Titanium heaters are considered better than glass heaters due to the fact that titanium is more corrosive resistant and is nearly indestructible. Our last heater was only available in high wattage, but this variation of Finnex Titanium Heaters is for the rest of us. With very similar pros and cons, this heater will get you a titanium submersible heater at a reasonable price. It also comes with a heater guard to protect fish from touching it.
Like with most titanium heaters, the heating element does not have a manual adjuster on board. To program to the desired set water temp, you have to use the controller that comes with it.
This heater is one of the most affordable titanium heater solutions out there that is a name brand. It’s cheaper than both the BRS and digital heater. It also comes in smaller sizes, so you can use them in smaller aquariums. Titanium heaters, in general, will use less electricity than glass heaters since they conduct heat better.
Pros
Titanium built design
Comes with a digital controller
Cons
No adjustment dial on the submersible heater itself
The controller is accurate only up to 2 degrees Fahrenheit
Finnex Titanium Ratings
7.6out of 10
Manufacturer of Origin7
Brand Name8
Accurancy8
Build Quality7.5
10. Hydor In-line – A Great Choice For Canister Filter Users
The Hydor Inline Heaters are the perfect choice for aquarists who own a Canister filter. Because this heater runs through your return line, you do not have to worry about this heater being inside of your fish tank and prone to the abuse some of your fish would cause on it moving rock work or even yourself hitting it accidentally performing maintenance. It is constructed with Hydor’s patented PTC heating technology. The way the unit works is that it is made of a special polymer that has been printed with aquarium-safe ink. This ink heats up the passing current as the water is transferred into your aquarium. It really is a fascinating technology!
When it comes to performance, the Hydor heater is a step up to a submersible heater. The PTC technology is unique and new age. It heats water as it passes through. It is more efficient and provides heating that can remain hidden in the tank
It does come with some major drawbacks though. It must be installed in the vertical position, which can be a problem for those with limited space in their cabinets. It can be only installed with vinyl tubing, making it non-ideal for setups with hard plumbing. It is also only available in up to 300W. You can’t run a second heater inline. However, my personal experience with these heaters is that they do not fail as often as traditional glass heaters.
Hydor also does not state how accurate the heater is on their specs; a controller is highly recommended. It is a great alternative to a submersible aquarium heater.
Pros
External heater
Slick operation and patented technology
No risk of heater burn on fish
Cons
No specs from Hydor on how accurate it is
Can only be used with vinyl tubing
Only available up to 300W
Hydor Rating
7.8out of 10
Manufacturer of Origin7
Brand Name8
Accurancy8
Build Quality8
11. Hyggar Titanium – New Player on the Market Delivering Budget Items
This aquarium heater really surprised us. The Hyggar Titanium Heaters come with a digital temp controller that claims 0.5 degrees of accuracy. That claim would make it one of the most accurate controllers on the market. I would say from testing this product now that it doesn’t have that stated accuracy, but it is a good budget titanium heater. It is cheaper than the BRS, and Finnex heaters.
Being titanium, it is nearly instructable and is more energy efficient than cheaper glass heaters. It is available in multiple sizes and is compact enough to work in some small tanks.
They were a newer brand in 2023, but the reviews have been pretty stellar, enough for us to consider them on our list for aquarists looking for an all-in-one solution titanium heater with a controller. They have reached out to use for a sponsored video, but we declined as we prefer to keep our reviews independent.
Pros
Titanium design
Controller claimed accuracy of 0.5 degrees
Cons
New manufacturer
Hyggar Titanium Rating
7.3out of 10
Manufacturer of Origin5
Brand Name6
Accurancy10
Build Quality8
Benefits (Why Do I Need To Purchase One)
Because most of us in the fish keeping hobby keep tropical fish (saltwater fish), they require the water temperature range to be consistently around 75 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit ( 24 to 27 Celsius). Since we keep aquariums indoors in our home, most people would think that the room temperature of our home could keep our aquariums at a safe water temperature. However, seasons change and there are certain times, like in the winter, when the room temperature in your home can drop below 70 degrees or less in your home putting our precious livestock at risk. They don’t handle temperature changes well.
The best aquarium heaters not only keep your water temperature up for your tropical fish but are easily adjustable so you can keep your water at the desired tank temperature. They are also accurate to boot. Some will even come equipped with a separate temperature controller so you add redundancy in the event a heater fails.
What We Looked For
Figuring out the best aquarium heaters on the market is not easy to do. There are lots of manufacturers out there from many different price points. To filter out the good from the bad here is what we used in our criteria.
Manufacturer of Origin
The aquarium industry is loaded with a ton of budget-friendly products, but this also means the quality and reliability of the product could be suspect. It’s very easy to go to places like Amazon and find a cheap Chinese-made heater to work on your tank. However, they typically do not have good quality control and aren’t built to last.
Heater failure is a serious issue in the hobby. I’m looking for German or Italian made and looking for products with big warranties.
Brand Name
Good brands back up their products with warranties and lab tests. Brands like Eheim have stood the test of time and get my vote over budget brands.
Accuracy
A heater should be pinpoint accurate and consistent. The best heaters on the market will be within 1 degree accurate and will be easy to calibrate.
Build Quality
You want a product that has features like auto shutoff if the heater gets too hot or it runs dry. You want a heater that is more durable materials like titanium or lab-grade glass.
All these criteria get a rating of 1 to 10 with 1 being the worst and 10 being the best. We take an average score to determine our best heaters. Note that price doesn’t come into the equation. With the exception of heaters on this list, we don’t feel that price is a major determining factor. With these two products that are pricey, if your livestock is expensive, we feel the purchase is justified.
How to Choose the Right One
I’ve provided a lot of choices here and it can be frustrating to figure out which one works best. No worries though, let me help you out.
Sizes
All the aquarium heaters listed in this blog post come in various sizes. Some like the Eheim Jager Aquarium Thermostat are very bulky while the Cobalt Neo Therm Heaters are very compact in size. If you do not have a sump or canister filter, the size of the heater will come into play as it may stick out like a sore thumb. Smaller heaters are easier to hide and also getting multiple heaters will help with hiding them in the fish tank (redundancy is also another reason to get more than one heater which I’ll explain in further detail).
Types
Aquariums
The type of aquarium you own will help determine what heater you will need. For example, if you have a fish-only freshwater community fish tank with mostly hardy fish, you can likely get by with a single heater and a relatively cheap one.
If you have larger predator fish like Cichlids or Arowanas, you will want a submersible heater that can take a beating. This is where Titanium heaters can come into play as they are virtually indestructible.
For those of us who have sensitive inverts or exotic fish as you may have with a saltwater reef aquarium, the accurate and reliable temperature is critical. A swing in temperature range could cost thousands of dollars in lost livestock with such setups. Therefore, as a reef tank owner, it is imperative that we build our heating system with multiple redundancies and safeguards to protect our livestock.
Heaters
I did throw out a number of terms when it came to fish tank heater construction so I can be a little more detailed here. A submersible aquarium heater will typically be constructed with the following materials:
Glass
High-Quality Glass like Quartz or Borosilicate
Titanium
Glass heaters are what you will typically find with value-based brands that are not listed on this list. I have completely ignored these because they are prone to exploding in a fish tank and shattering! Not something you want:
Highly quality glass like what you see with the Eheimand heaters is durable glass that is resistant to thermal shock and less prone to exploding like above. They can still crack if dropped or hit by a rock, but in normal operation, they should be fine, especially if they are placed in a safe area like a sump.
Titanium heaters like the Finnex heaters are virtually indestructible and great for tanks with larger fish. They also tend to be the most expensive of the lot.
Your Budget
I have listed a number of quality heaters in this post in all ranges of budgets. One thing to note is that many aquariums will run multiple heaters and I am aware that not everyone will have the budget to deploy a multiple heater setup. The heater for bang for the buck I feel is the Eheim heater. Eheim offers a reliable heater with the best mix of quality and price.
Where to Place It
It is the best to place your fish tank heater in an area that gets a good amount of flow. This will normally be an area in close proximity to a power head, power filter, or air stone. You also want to keep aesthetics in mind so if you are placing the heater directly into your display, you will want to place the heater behind rock work or plants.
Placement is even easier with an all-in-one aquarium as there are compartments available in the return section where you can place your submersible aquarium heater in. If you have a sump, it’s even easier can you can place them in your sump after your first chamber.
How Many Watts Does It Need to Be?
It is actually a very simple rule of thumb that unfortunately gets confusing if you visit aquarium forums. The rule is 3 watts per gallon of water. The chart below provides a clear breakdown of the common aquarium sizes for reference
Fish Tank Sizes
Heater Wattage Needed
10 G
30 Watts
20G
60 Watts
29G
87 Watts
40G
120 Watts
55G
165 Watts
75G
225 Watts
90G
270 Watts
125G
375 Watts
180G
540 Watts
225G
675 Watts
300G
900 Watts
How To Fool Proof Against Failure
As I stated when I talked about the BRS heater element, aquarium heaters, unfortunately are prone to a number of failures. These failure points are:
The aquarium heater explodes
The aquarium heater cracks
The aquarium heater’s internal thermometer fails
The aquarium heater’s off/on mechanism fails
The aquarium heater’s settings reset after a power outage
That is A LOT of failure points. It’s also a bit scary to know that the #1 tank crash reason are aquarium heater failures. It’s not a disease, it’s not a power outage, but your heater failing. That’s correct, a measly $30 heater can be the cause of you losing hundreds of dollars of fish and pets that you have owned and cherished for many years.
This is why we recommend purchasing an aquarium heater system. This would encompass:
The best fish tank heater from this list
Running two heaters instead of one that gets to the recommended wattage level
A separate aquarium controller that is accurate at least to 1 degree Fahrenheit and can run both heating and cooling equipment
A reasonable piece of cooling equipment that won’t break the bank
Since I know a number of my readers cannot afford or do not want to pay for the premium of the BRS heater element or Helios, this section of this blog post is to help guide you on setting up a reliable heating system for less money.
Get A Good One To Start
I mentioned it early on in the post what my top 3 are. I would stick with those as you can’t go wrong with either. All those heaters met my strict criteria and receive my full recommendation.
Failsafe #1 – Running Two Instead of One
Why would we run two heaters? Well, as I mentioned, heaters have many fail points and one of them is the off mechanism failing. This will mean that the heater will stay on and effectively cook your tank. This is the #1 reason for a heater fail. When you purchase two smaller heaters, if one fails at the on position it is not powerful enough to cook your tank inhabitants. It will stay on and you should have ample warning to notice the failure and act accordingly.
Failsafe #2 – Running a Separate Controller
Since running two heaters will give you time to act in the event one fails at the on position, you could be out of town or not present for some time to act. This is where a separate aquarium controller comes in. A separate aquarium controller has it’s own temperature sensors or probe and mechanics separate from an aquarium heater. This provides you with an additional fail safe. Now both heaters AND the controller would need to fail at the same time in order for your tank to experience a crash. That is very unlikely to happen.
The Controllers
So now let’s talk about aquarium heater controllers. The controllers from Finnex and Hyggar are pretty good, but the Finnex controller is only accurate up to 2 degrees and the Hyggar controllers are new to the market. There is one heater controller that has been around for a while and is trusted in other industries aside from the Aquatic industry – namely aquaponics, and beer brewing.
The Inkbird Aquarium Controller – The Best Bang for Buck Controller on the Market
I know there will be some folks on the comment section who may post and say that I should talk about aquarium controllers, but to me, that is a completely separate subject. Aquarium controllers are very expensive and even an entry-level controller is going to cost over $200, which is going to be out of the range of many readers of this post.
The inbird is a great budget controller with a large LED display. The Inkbird ITC-308 is a great aquarium heater controller that is accurate up to 1-degree Fahrenheit. It is easy to program and has the ability to not only control heaters but cooling equipment as well. This actually provides a TRIPLE FAIL SAFE as the cooling function will kick off in the event the aquarium gets too warm. If the aquarium gets too hot or cold, the Inkbird can sound an alarm letting you know something is wrong. There is also a wi-fi version available so you can get temperature alerts on your phone if the fish tank gets too warm or too cold!
The Hydros Control 2 is a step up from the Inkbird. It has the wifi features and more. It can control temperature and a number of devices, detect leaks, and more. It was developed to be a cheaper alternative to the Neptune APEX and a worthy successor to the Reefkeeper entry-level controller.
This controller provides even better assurance that your temperatures stay stable. I typically go with an inkbird on smaller budget builds, but if I have more budget and my client isn’t looking to get an APEX, this is a definite consideration for me. If you are looking for a compete solution, I would recommend looking into my best aquarium controller post for details about controllers that are able to automate multiple aquarium functions.
Since these aquarium heater controllers have the ability to cool down a tank, let’s get a reasonable piece of cooling equipment. An aquarium chiller is going to be out of the budget range of many aquarists so a cooling fan is a good option for us to look into.
The IPETTITE Aquarium Cooling Fan is a very reasonable piece of equipment when teamed with an aquarium heater controller can provide some cooling in the event your tank gets too warm. It’s not a chiller, but it should get you by in most situations. If you need to take it to another level, you can try looking at my best aquarium chiller post for options regarding chillers.
Final Solution – Incorporate Replacement In Your Maintenance Cost
Replacing your heater every year has become a trendy strategy, especially for those who keep expensive setups like reef tanks or aquascapes. When you have invested thousands into a setup, it’s not a big deal in the grand scheme of things to budget $60 a year to replace your heater annually. If you have a setup this expensive, I would recommend this approach but still stick to higher quality heaters. Jagers are a great choice for this method as they are fairly inexpensive to replace. The heating element for the Finnex STE is also reasonably inexpensive to replace.
FAQS
What Is The Best 300W Unit?
The best 300W aquarium heater is going to be the BRS titanium heating element. At this size and given the likely size and value of your livestock, it’s best to invest in a titanium heater that uses a high-quality controller. The BRS heating element achieves this at a decent price.
How Often Should I Replace It?
Ideally, you should never have to replace an aquarium heater. Unfortunately, that is not the reality in the hobby. The unfortunate fact is that heaters are replaced when they fail – which results in catastrophic results. To avoid this, you should replace a heater every 2 years. You could alternatively invest in a high-end heater like the Helios and likely keep them for the life of the tank.
Do They Use A Lot Of Electricity?
Yes, aquarium heaters use the most electricity of any other piece of equipment other than high-end lighting systems. To save on your energy costs, consider keeping your fish tank in a well-insulated room or keeping your home at a higher temperature. In warmer climates, this actually might save you on your home bill since your AC won’t be on as much. Keeping your home at 78 degrees in the warmer months will keep your heating costs down.
Do I Actally Need A Heater?
You may be surprised to hear this, but many freshwater aquarium setups may not require a water heater at all. Many fish can live in room temperature water, which means if your home’s temperatures are stable, you can keep fish without a heater. However, fish like Discus fish, betta fish, and saltwater fish need higher temperatures that will require a heater.
Wrapping It All Up
Well, this was a pretty long post. I hope I was able to provide you with the information you need to make the best-informed purchase. As I stated earlier, there is a reason for these aquarium heaters to be on our best-of lists as they all have their place depending on your aquarium situation and budget.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment in the comment section. If you have a fish tank heater you feel is the best, drop your thoughts below. Thanks for reading :).
🔧 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Aquarium Equipment & Gear Guide — your ultimate resource for filters, heaters, lights, pumps, tanks, and more.
Having your aquarium run automatically is a dream for many fish tank owners. Everyone wants a device that can automate many of the mandate tasks of fish and coral keeping. What if I told you that such devices exist today? They in fact do exist, and many do an excellent job of making your aquarium keeping life easier than ever before! They are called aquarium controllers and the technology is now over 10 years old. But what is the Best Aquarium Controller? There are a number in the market now, and they require a lot of research and development to create a long-standing product.
In today’s post, I look at the best of the best and tell you which ones are the ones to purchase today. So let’s get started and see what the marketplace offers. You will be excited to see what these things can do now!
What To Look For When Buying An Aquarium Controller
Before we start comparing aquarium controllers, we need to talk about what to look for when purchasing one. Controllers are a complex technology and not every company can maintain the product line in the long run.
A controller is a premium piece of aquarium equipment. It is one of the most expensive devices you can purchase for your tank and for very good reason. They are capable of automating many tasks in your tank.
For these controllers I’m reviewing today, this is my criteria:
Quality
Features and Accessories
Brand Name
Price
The Candidates
Now that we know the criteria I’m looking at, let’s see who makes the cut. The list below are the picks I would be proud to put into my tank setups. They are offered by high quality manufacturers who have been around for years. There is no up and coming venture backed company here. These are all high quality name brand controllers. Let’s continue further below.
The Neptune APEX was the original aquarium controller released in the United States and continues to be to this day the best controller on the market. What makes it stand out is its ability to integrate with nearly all modern reef keeping equipment today. Every high end manufacturer wants to market as an “APEX Ready” or APEX capable controller. Not having this feature puts them at risk of losing a large amount of sales. This type of brand name recognition makes the APEX the premier controller and the go to for modern tank automation.
The APEX package comes with four probes out of the box – temperature, salinity, ORP, and pH. The salinity probe is the biggest selling point of this set. A salinity monitor is usually a separate purchase – and it isn’t a cheap add-on. These probes are lab grade and have a longer lifespan due to their double junction construction.
The new APEX model runs off wi-fi, eliminating the need to have your controller plugged into a laptop to access. You can run it on your desktop, laptop, tablet, even on your phone while you are away from your tank. It is total piece of mind when you can monitor many parameters while you are away. You can even have a maintenance profession log into your console and see your setups.
The energy bar 8 is an ETL certified power block that holds up to 8 devices. Each outlet has independent monitoring to your console. Each outlet is measure for voltage, which is a key parameter to measure when it comes to equipment. Low output could point to upcoming equipment failure and an early warning sign to replace equipment.
And this is all just talking about what comes in the box! The APEX has a number of add-ons you can bolt onto the system. Such add-ons include a leak detection kit, dosing automation, flow monitoring, an ATO line, PAR monitoring, and automatic fish feeders. The most recent add-on, the Trident, promising complete dosing automation. This is the holy grail of reef automation. It really is a complete aquarium monitoring system.
The future is bright with the APEX Neptune. It is a solid investment that comes with you with any aquarium you keep and can even be used to run multiple tanks. The biggest downfall is its price. If you are running an aquarium with prized exotic livestock and corals, the price actually doesn’t seem that bad compared to the value that is housed in the tank.
The biggest issue with the APEX Neptune is the price. This Neptune ApexEL line is Neptune’s answer for a budget friendly aquarium monitoring system. The APEX EL still has the same great tech with the wifi capability, energy bar 8 hub, and the ability to add all the major Apex add-ons.
What’s missing from the EL model? It’s three main things:
The APEX EL does not have a salinity probe
The console hub is missing a 0-10v port which doesn’t it allow it to connect with devices like Kessils and Varios pumps
The APEX EL does not have an ORP port or probe
All three missing items can be added back with add-ons if you chose to purchase them. I feel what is missing is a good sacrfice compared to what is included. The salinity probe, while great to have isn’t completely necessary and is also new technology to the hobby. The missing ports are only a factor if you purchase Kessils. Finally, many reefer tank owners don’t even bother with ORP monitoring, so a missing ORP probe is not a deal breaker.
This is a great alternative model to the main APEX model. The price can still be too expensive to some. For the price it sells out, there is a lot of value. If you want something cheaper, I have a great option below at #3.
If you reefed in the early mid 2000s, you were treated to this wonderful early level controller called the ReefKeeper Lite. It was praised across the hobby as the bang for the buck controller that would one day save your tank from an aquarium heater malfunction with its temperature controller. It provided the most essential pieces of tank automation to you with its 4 outlet power block. However, the company that created the ReefKeeper Lite – Digital Aquatics, went out of business in 2018. Ever since then the hobby has been search for the next ReefKeeper Lite in a world that was dominated by high end controllers like the Neptune Controller.
Enter the new kid on the block – the Hydros Control 2 kit. This is CoralVue’s answer to the demand of the return of our beloved ReefKeeper controller. Now with the backing of a major manufacturer like CoralVue, the Hydros as the ability and capability to provide what we love out of the APEX without the crazy APEX price.
This Control 2 model is the closest match you will find to the old ReefKeepers. With this package you get
A 4 outlet power supply
Temperature probe
WiFi capacbility
Hydros Control App
The Control App is a great step up to what we are used to seeing with the Reefkeeper which was just a simple interface with buttons. The control runs off a mobile app. It allows you to program the controller without coding knowledge. One of the biggest frustrations with high end controllers is they are too complex to use for newcomers. The Hydros app is user friendly
The price of this controller is more expensive then the original Reefkeeper Lite, however, the value they provide is greater. The price for these I still feel is entry level and a solid investment. The sensor ports currently support optical sensors, leak detectors, water level sensors, flow rate sensors, and switches. This package has incredible value and my #1 pick when it comes to the best budget option for a controller.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Entry level price
Has all the main features included
Backed by CoralVue
Cons
Does not come with salinity monitor or pH probe
New to market
4. GHL ProfiLux – Germany’s Answer to the Neptune Apex
The GHL ProfiLux is internationally recognized for its reliability and accuracy and reliability. Used by major research institutions and public aquariums
The GHL ProfiLux is Europe’s version of the Neptune Apex. It is German made and has quickly grabbed market share away from Neptune as Reefers have realized how reliable and durable these controllers are. The controller is globally recognized for its accuracy and reliability, being used in research institutions and public aquariums.
Aside from the global recognition of the controller, what else makes this controller stand out from the APEX? In short sum, here are the main points:
The GHL has future proof internal boards that are replaceable and upgradeable
Better detailed control of lighting, temp, pH levels, pumps, etc
Easier to program through their logic gate programming
Simple yet more durable build quality
One of the biggest selling points from the GHL controller is how long they last. You will find owners in the community who have been running the same GHL controller for 10 years. They run the older models, not needing to upgrade to the newest model because GHL continues to support the older models with firmware updates. Try to find someone who is still using one of the original APEX models. You will be hard-pressed. Some have failed over time while others have just wanted the latest and greatest.
German and Italian made products are of the highest quality in the aquarium industry and have been so for many years. It shows again in this controller. It doesn’t beat out the APEX on this round up because of its lack of presence in the United States. Most manufacturers shot for being APEX ready and don’t market to other controllers. It’s also harder to find other aquarists who use these controllers. It’s a niche user base, though a very loyal and happy one. If you want one, be prepared to pay slightly more than you would for the APEX. However, you can expect your controller to last for many years.
Pros & Cons
Pros
German Made & German Engineering
Used in research and museums
Easier to program
Cons
More expensive then APEX
Not as well known in the US
5. Neptune Trident – True Dosing Automation Is Here
The Neptune Trident is a controller that automatizes dosing and monitors the most important 3 parameters of coral reef keeping – alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium.
The Neptune Trident when it was announced created a huge buzz around it. It is a game changer for reef aquariums. This is a Dosing controller that attempts to completely automate dosing and monitor the big 3 parameters of coral reef keeping – alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium. Stability is everything when it comes to a reef tank, especially when you get into more advanced corals like SPS.
It works by testing your water multiple times a day then adjusting the dosing schedule based on the results. It uses regents in order to test your water. It takes away all the work of having to test your water every week and tests with excellent precision giving accurate readings to the following:
Alkalinity: + or – .05 DKH
Calcium: + or – 15 PPM
Magnesium: + or – 15 PPM
The Trident interface will also let you know the parameter tests and how much regent you have left. Your reef tank will be its more stable ever with one of these installed in your system.
The main drawback is its price. The regents also add up in monthly costs. This is the benchmark for doing automation today and well worth the investment
Pros & Cons
Pros
Works directly with Apex
Automations dosing and monitors all main reef parameters
Cons
Expensive
Regents add to maintenance costs
6. GHL KH Director – An Excellent Trident Alternative
The GHL KH Director is GHL’s answer to the Neptune trident. It focuses on the primary reef tank parameter monitor for corals – Alkanity. Changes in Alkanity also affect Calcium, so have a device that focuses on Alkanity will also work with keeping Calcium stable as well as pH.
The KH Director works with Lab-grade accuracy. It can work standalone with a GHL Doser 2 or can work with the ProfiLux controller. I really like how GHL has this flexibility since not everyone wants to get a controller. The GHL Doser 2 is also one of the best and accurate dosers on the market so pairing them together is a solid choice.
The regents also last much longer than the Trident. A regent will last you up to 3 months while the Tridents only last 1 month and require multiple types of regents. This gives you cheaper ongoing costs over the Trident. It won’t test all the core reef parameters like the Neptune does, but I feel the KH Director is one of the best dosing automation controllers on the market.
The Aqua Logic Temperature controller makes the list as the premier controller for aquarium heater malfunctional prevention. It only does one job, and it does that job very well.
Because it only does only function, it is simple to use and easy to install in your system. These are extremely reliable controllers that will last a lifetime. They are not prone to glitches or errors in software because they are based on tried and true technology that originates in the HVAC industry1. It is a commercial level device that has been implemented into home aquarium usage.
The big con with this product is that it only does one function. Most controllers these days offer temperature controllers as part of their package. It is also expensive for what it does. The link on this product is the single stage controller. The dual stage temperature controller is a more expensive offering.
The American Marine Pinpoint pH controller is a standalone controller designed to work with equipment like calcium reactors and CO2 regulators. It is accurate within .01 resolution with its lab grade pH probe. They are extremely durable controllers that are designed to work for a lifetime.
They will shut down equipment if the pH goes out of range and are easy to use and calibrate. They are excellent for what they are designed for and plug and play.
The main downfall is they are designed for one purpose. They lack the functionality of what modern controller can do. However, these are extremely reliable controllers and if you have one thing you want to monitor like a Calcium reactor or planted tank, this is a great deal for a product that is known to last for many years.
The Neptune continues to be the best overall brand when it comes to aquarium controllers. I highly recommended the Neptune Apex for those looking for full aquarium automation at the highest level. The Neptune ApexEL is a cheaper alternative for those wanting to build up to a premium system over time. The Hydros Control 2 is a new entry level controller which I feel is a reincarnation of the Reefkeeper Lite. It will do everything that budget controller used to do and more!
Benefits of a Monitoring System
A controller can have many benefits to your aquarium. The biggest benefit is peace of mind and automation. Many of the controllers I have featured here have reporting dashboards that can be loaded on your smartphone, tablet, or PC. They allow you to monitor many aspects of your tank. If something breaks, the controller will know. If something is not operating correctly, you will usually know from the voltage readers on the Neptune Apex.
Regarding automation, controllers have come a long way. The biggest need from a controller is temperature automation, as many of the heaters these days are not high quality and a proper monitoring system is required to keep your tank safe. Controllers can also control your reef light, know when you turn on your aquarium chiller, keep your pH stable, monitor your aquarium wavemakers, and automate your dosing schedule and parameter testing.
The other great benefit is anyone can see your parameters if you grant them access. This is a huge perk if you have a maintenance company working on your aquarium. Some higher end maintenance companies will require you to have a controller for big setups so they can monitor and tweek your tank settings as necessary.
When used correctly, aquarium controllers can offer a ton of peace of mind and save you from an expensive tank crash. They are stellar investments to protect your prized aquatic pets.
FAQs
What is it and what does it do?
An aquarium controller is a computer device that work on monitoring equipment in your aquarium. It also automates several maintenance tasks and are highly customizable to suit the tank setup and needs. They will typically send alerts and texts to your phone if an issue is detected and can also shut down equipment in an emergency.
What happened to Digital Aquatics?
Digital aquatics closed its doors in 2018 and ceased all operations. They were well known for creating entry level aquarium controllers. The new Hydros Control 2 is considered a successor to the Digital Aquatics ReefKeeper as they have a similar price and updated technology
Do I need one?
You do not need an aquarium controller to have a success in the hobby. Prior to the controller technology innovation there were many and continue to be many new setups that are successful without a controller. A controller offers a lot of automation and monitoring, which will reduce the maintenance you have to do in the aquarium. It also gives you peace of mind when you are away from the tank. Given the price of livestock these days, the investment is well worth if you have thousands invested in your tank.
What does an apex unit do?
An Apex controller can do many things in your aquarium, but it’s best to focus on core functionality to see what makes them so great. They can shut off your heater if it malfunctions, saving you from a tank crash. They can detect leaks, your monitor water level, and shut off equipment or the tank before your home is damaged from a flood of tank water. You can monitor your tank while you are on vacation. You can setup auto dosing to keep your aquarium stable for your precious corals.
One of the biggest perks if you willing to do a setup is automated water changes. With the proper setup, a controller can automate the water changing function completely making your tank nearly self-running.
Closing Thoughts
Controllers are really amazing pieces of equipment. They have made our maintenance lives so much better and I look forward to see more advances with the technology as it matures. I hope you enjoyed this article and it helps you make an informed decision. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. See ya next time :).
🔧 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Aquarium Equipment & Gear Guide — your ultimate resource for filters, heaters, lights, pumps, tanks, and more.
Are you struggling with finding a quality aquarium sump or refugium?
In this blog, we share the best aquarium sump and refugium offerings, from Triton style sumps to 4 stage sumps. Even DIY kits are included.
With over 25 years of experience in the aquarium hobby, I’ve assisted countless clients, hobbyists, and readers like you determining their filter needs and also built a few sumps myself for a 40G breeding and 125 G reef tank. I’ve personally tested these products in real world scenarios to determine the best aquarium sump and refugium on the market.
The Top Picks
There are a lot of options presented in this post so you may be wondering what we would recommend. If you are longer for a sump that has everything, I would strongly recommend the Trigger Systems Triton Sumps. The triton is the go to method for premium reefs today and they offer massive value for those in that price range.
For the budget conscious aquarist, I would recommend the DIY sump and refugium kit by Fiji Cube and pair it with a match dollar per gallon tank at Petco or Pet Smart. You can built a great sump and save quite a bit of money over purchasing a manufactured sump. Sometimes the best aquarium sump is the one you design.
With all that said, let’s dive in and look at the best aquarium sumps and refugiums available for purchase today. These are the offerings we feature in this post and ones we tested out.
The Trigger Systems Triton Sumps are a new concept in sump systems. Sumps first started with Berlin sumps, which was just a sump that had a chamber for a protein skimmer. Then you had the creation of refugium sumps with the skimmer in the first chamber than a small refugium chamber. These were primarily designed for a reef tank to house beneficial organisms. The Triton method is a new reefing method that relies on a larger refugium chamber where the primary filtration method is from the natural filtration of your refugium.
The Triton sump by Trigger systems delivers on the method. It is feature loaded with probe holders, three drains, and adjustable baffles. The refugium section is oversized to accommodate the needs of the triton method. Trigger is well known for making quality sumps in the reefing screen. This is Trigger systems high end reef sump offering.
The Trigger Systems Crystal Sumps is a reasonably priced 3 stage sump that everything you need to build out an elite level setup. It comes with two drains to connect your plumbing and comes with a bubble trap to ensure your return pump doesn’t pull our microbubbles. The bubble trap area can actually house media with their included media platforms. This is an added plus as it puts the chemical filtration in the back versus the front.
The filter sock holder is a locking style that keeps filter socks secure and accepts standard 4″ 100 micro socks. Each drain comes with a bulk head at allows you to insert PVC plumbing into it.
It is a very lean design with a eurobrace to ensure it stays study. This series comes in various sizes, so you can find one that fits in your aquarium stand. It doesn’t have adjustable baffles or probe holders like the Triton to keep costs down. It doesn’t have probe holders, but then can be added easily with accessories in the future
I am a big fan of building your own sump, especially if you want to incorporate a sump and refugium in your sump as many sump makers do not have chambers for both. This DIY sump and refugium kit by Fiji Cube really answers the call with a high quality sump kit.
The dollar per gallon sales from PetSmart and Petco offer a great way to get a cheap sump and Fiji Cube’s kits are meant for either a 20 gallon or 40 gallon aquarium. This 40 gallon gallon kit will handle all medium sized aquariums and is easily adjustable to either be setup as a traditional sump + fuge setup or as a triton setup.
The IceCap sumps are a well designed sump that include a fresh water reservoir so you do not have to maintain a separate reservoir for top off. This sump has dual drains allowing for a bean animal overflow to be connected to it and the covers most for a very clean and professional looking sump. The sump comes with probe holders and the ability to adjust the water level from 5-9 inches.
This is a great reef sump if you are working with a tight space, or just want a sump with the reservoir built in. The measurement lines on the reservoir is extra helping in determining how much water you have left in the reservoir.
My only critique on this design is the reservoir sacrifices the ability to hold a refugium. I would have preferred a refugium section over the reservoir myself. Fortunately, their larger IceCap XL Sump models actually do have a refugium section AND a reservoir, making the models a comprehensive package.
Pros
Dual drains so bean animal overflow can be connected to it
Has a freshwater reservoir so you do not have to have a separate one
Clean and professional looking
Cons
Non XL models do not have a refugium section
Refugium is still a little small on the XL models
5. Trigger Systems Ruby – The Brand Name In These Products
Trigger Systems really started the cool looking sump craze and has been recognized in the industry for their high quality craftsmanship. This Trigger Systems Ruby Sump offers a true 3 chamber sump. Both the protein skimmer and refugium sections are adequately sized to house both comfortably. It has dual drains like most of the premium sumps we have reviewed here.
The filter sock holders lock into place so you don’t have to worry about them accidentally falling into your sump. Three probe holders are included in the first chamber and a media chamber is included so you can place carbon before the return section. The design is finished off by a clean red colored euro-braced design. It really is a competent and well rounded design.
Pros
Recognized name brand in the industry
Great all around design
Nice aesthetics
Cons
Fuge still could be larger, but Trigger does sell Triton sumps
Can be on the more expensive side compared to others listed here
6. EShopps Advanced Series – For the Serious Hobbyist
The Eshopps Advanced Series Sumps is the 3rd generation advanced series sump from Eshopps. It is a well built sump that incorporates a skimmer and refugium section. What I love about this sump is that it has a two channel design so as one drain goes to the sump while the other goes to the skimmer. This allows for you to have separate drain flows to your skimmer and fuge section. It comes complete with probe holders and a float valve holder. It is a great all round design.
Because it has two drains on it, it is designed for bean animal overflows. It has a very generous protein skimmer section, which will allow you to add an oversized skimmer. The fuge section is smaller than I would like, but is adequate for this design as it a primarily skimmer run sump so you are definitely going to want to add the best protein skimmer you can afford on this build.
When I first saw Fiji Cube’s Sumps, I immediately feel in love. This is such a clean looking sump and expertly designed. The blue and white design will look great in your cabinet or fish room and they make longer sumps that the other manufacturers do not make.
Let’s talk about why this sump is so awesome. First is the computer laser cut design. Next is verstalie first chamber than can either hold filter socks or be converted to hold media. The skimmer section is just right, and features a tighter fit so there is less wasted space in the sump. The sump comes with probe holders and all baffles can be adjusted. The water level is adjustable to 12″ – which is the highest level available for sumps on this list and all chambers can be adjusted. I love the extra fit features like the removable lids on every section. It keeps things clean of salt creep and enclosed for less water evaporation and humidity in your cabinet.
It is a pricy sump given it’s features. If you are looking for that “cool” sump for your setup, this is one of the best ones to purchase.
The Bubblefin DIY Kit is how to get a DIY done on the cheap. It comes with the acryclic baffles to get your started. You can build your sump configuration however you want with this kit. All you need is silicon and a steady hand when placing the baffles. It’s a completely bare bones kit with just baffles, but a lot of DIYers like this option because they can build whatever they want.
The price of this kit is so affordable, you would have a hard time coming up with something comparable in time and money going to the hardware store and purchasing glass or acrylic baffles.
The only complaint I have from this kit is it is missing a pipe hold or bulkhead. You can purchase those separate from other vendors online though. It doesn’t have the same features as the Fiji Cube kit, but the price is very hard to beat
This is the budget offering from Eshopps. The Eshopps RS Series Sumps is most common aquarium sump you will see at local fish stores.
It is a very basic, no frills sump that gets the job done for those who are starting out or just want a very basic sump. They are best meant for protein skimmer powered Berlin style saltwater aquarium and reef tank setups.
Pros
Simple
Cheap
Easy to Setup
Cons
Single drain means you cannot setup a bean animal overflow
Can only accommodate a protein skimmer
Not pretty to look at
What Is An Aquarium Sump?
An aquarium sump is a separate aquarium that is plumbed into your main aquarium. They are frequently used in saltwater aquariums and considered the best aquarium filter option. This is because most of the best equipment available is meant to be placed in a sump. The sump is normally placed inside the tank cabinet and other times they are pump to a separate fish room or basement. A separate fish room or basement offers the most accessibility, but mostly common on larger or commercial builds.
Most of us who will setup a sump are usually going to place the sump inside the cabinet and use a submersible return pump to move water back to the display tank. You can see how a sump is used in a professional environment like Tidal Gardens below:
Most sumps will be designed with 3 sections:
The drain section
The flex space section
The return section
The drain section will usually have mechanical filtration either through filter rocks or filter cups that will have sponges or floss with chemical media. In most saltwater setups, this is where you would install the best protein skimmer that works for your setup..
The flex space section is a section where the a refugium (or fuge for short) would be spaced. Sometimes live or dry rock is placed here along with macroalgae to support microfauna and to remove excessive nitrates and phosphates from the aquarium. In a freshwater setup, this section can be used as a safe place to put freshwater plants like Anubias, Java Fern, Duck Weed, Guppy Grass, Java Moss, and Luffy Marimo Moss Balls are all excellent candidates for a freshwater refugium.
In reef tanks, there is a new method called the Triton Method that switches the order of the refugium and protein skimmer. The refugium is placed first and the skimmer follows it.
The also section is the return section, which is where your return pump goes and where your auto top off is placed. This return section is the part of the sump that will have a variable water level so as your water evaporates the water in this section will drop. This will also be the first area of your sump that will fill up if your return pump is shut off.
What Is A Refugium?
A refugium is a section in your sump that is reserved as a safe space for micro fauna and macro algae in your aquarium in saltwater tanks and a safe spot for live plants in a freshwater tank. The advantages of a refugium are several:
In a saltwater aquarium, this allows you to cultivate beneficial pods that your fish and corals will in turn eat. The pods also act as a clean up crew that eats detritus in the aquarium.
Macro algae and live/dry rock can be used in a refugium to house pods and filter out excessive nitrates and phosphates in the aquarium. A large enough refugium in combination with a quality protein skimmer can potentially eliminate water changes.
For freshwater tanks, plants can be housed here to act as a filtration device to filter out chemicals and excessive phosphates and nitrates. while not as effective as in saltwater aquariums, they are still useful when a large enough refugium is used.
How To Select An Aquarium Sump and Refugium (Buying Guide)
There are A LOT of sumps and refugium designs to chose from. It is pretty overwhelming to figure out what will work best for you. Here are a few factors to consider to help you out:
Size – You are limited to the size of your cabinet. The bigger the sump the better if you can fit and manage it.
Versatility – Sump designs with multiple chambers and adjustable baffles allow you to work around the design to fit a variety of equipment.
Durability – You want your sump to last the life of the tank. It is a pain to replace a size. Consider the following:
Acrylic vs. Glass – Acrylic is light and less prone to cracking. Scratching is not as big of a deal with sumps as they are in your display
Acrylic vs. PVC – PVC is an even more durable sump design, but very expensive. You can consider a PVC Hybrid that combines both PVC and Acrylic at a lower cost or chose to go all PVC. Either way, the build will likely be a custom aquarium sump
Accessories – Features like probe holders and euro bracing make for a cleaner and easier to work with design
Ease of Installation – If there are videos or instructions available that makes things a whole lot better. A sump with bulkheads included is also extra nice
Aesthetics – You want your sump to look cool right ? ?
Low Noise – A bean animal design will have the lowest noise possible.
Conclusion
Sump purchasing will drive a lot of buyer anxiety to you. It’s the central operating hub of your reef tank. I hope I helped alleviate your anxiety in your purchasing decision. If you felt I left something out, please leave a comment below. Thanks for reading!
🔧 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Aquarium Equipment & Gear Guide — your ultimate resource for filters, heaters, lights, pumps, tanks, and more.
Choosing a betta tank is where most new betta keepers go wrong before they even bring a fish home. The “betta bowl” and tiny desktop vases you see in stores are not appropriate housing — they’re too small to maintain stable water parameters, usually can’t accommodate a heater, and stress the fish. After 25 years in the hobby and testing hundreds of aquarium products, my baseline recommendation for bettas is a minimum 5-gallon tank with a heater, gentle filtration, and a secure lid. Bettas jump, and an uncovered tank is a death trap. The tanks on this list all meet those minimum requirements — and the top picks go further with excellent filtration, good viewing angles, and adjustable flow rates that won’t blast your betta across the tank.
With over 25 years of experience in the aquarium hobby, I’ve assisted countless clients, hobbyists, and readers like you in overcoming their aquarium selection axiety. I’ve personally tested or used these products in real world scenarios to determine the best betta fish tank on the market.
Let’s start with my top picks. To summarize, the Fluval Spec V is the best fish tank for your betta that you can buy today. It really has it all. It has the perfect filtration unit. The dimensions of the tank are ideal. The LED lightning that comes out of the box works for beginner plants. The tank also looks amazing in person. I recommend the Fluval Spec V for anyone starting up a Betta fish tank.
The Marina is a great value choice for those who want to spend a bit less but still want good features in an aquarium kit. It is cheaper than the Spec V aquarium kit and the LED lighting will still support low light plants. The LifeWithPets dividers are a great money saving option for those who want to make an Betta tank with multiple males.
The Candidates – A Quick Overview
I reviewed 7 tanks in this round up. Below is the list of the best betta fish tanks on the market today. I put the preferred choices at the top for ease of selection for you. I’ll go into more detail about each further down in the blog.
Now that you know the products we are reviewing, let find out why each tank made the list. Here is a video from our YouTube Channel. Subscribe if you enjoy our content!
Let’s start off the list with the very best of the bunch. The Fluval Spec V has everything you need. Let’s start off with the size of the aquarium. It is an ideal 5-gallon aquarium tank kit and is designed horizontally. Horizontal dimensions are better for fish like Betta because it gives them more space to swim around side by side. The peninsula style with aluminum trim design gives you a full view of the tank in 3 sizes. This makes it perfect to use on a countertop or cabinet as the plugs and filtration are hidden from view.
The filtration system is top-notch on the Fluval Spec V aquarium kit. It comes with complete 3 stage filtration system foam as mechanical, carbon for chemical, and ceramic bio max media for biological. The filter components come out easily with a basket lifter. With the large filter chambers, you heat the tank’s water temperature without seeing the aquarium heater. The filter flow can also be modified by either using a sponge at the end or installing a rain bar kit.
The light is built for freshwater planted tanks. Its led light has enough output for many beginner freshwater plants. The newest generation led lighting on the Fluval Spec Vs are 20% brighter than the previous generation. Your betta will look noticeably more colorful and vibrant under these lights.
The best comes with a price. The Spec V aquarium kit is one of the most expensive aquariums on this list. You get what you pay for with this aquarium and more. The light itself in my mind is cheaper in the long run than purchasing a similar output separately. The pump is also powerful for these types of fish. You will want to dampen the output with a sponge on the outlet. This is a beautiful-looking tank that will give our fish the size and space it needs. Well deserving of the Editor’s Choice badge.
Marina is a value brand of Hagen. Hagen as you might already know is a high-quality manufacturer of aquarium products in business since 1955. They are known for creating well-priced start kit aquariums. This Marina aquarium kit from Hagen screams value. Like the Fluval Spec V, it has everything you need, but at a lower price.
Let’s start off with the starter kit packager itself. It comes with not only a tank, light, and filter but other essentials to get you started. The aquarium kit comes with fish food, a water conditioner, a fish net, a thermometer, and biological supplements to get you started. All these together would cost you a fair amount of money. Given the price, I feel like Marina is practically giving this away.
The LED lighting that comes with this kit is powerful enough to house low-light aquarium plants. The LED light fits within the canopy giving this aquarium a clean look. The lid is fully enclosed preventing evaporation issues.
What’s there not to like? The biggest thing is the power filter. While it comes with a sponge that will actually protect your fish from getting sucked in, it can be an eyesore in the tank. The motor of the filter is housed with the intake, which allows you to hold more media in the filter. In a small tank like this, motor can be easily seen. Placing a heater can be tough to do with this as there isn’t a spot to place one. You will need to place the heater within the tank.
Still, this 5-gallon tank is an incredible value and worthy of my best value tag.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Great value
Good LED light
Comes with other essentials
Cons
Powerful filter
Heater placement
3. LifeWithPets Dividers – Great Budget Option For Multiple
Small aquariums go on sale all the time at chain pet stores. When these sales happen, you can purchase a great 5 gallon or 10 gallon tank for a Betta fish. When you get these deals, you can build a custom DIY aquarium with multiple Bettas with these tank dividers from LifeWithPets.
I love these dividers. These are my go-to when it comes to multiple Bettas in an aquarium. They are well-designed and sturdy. Designed from PVC, these dividers will last a lifetime in your tank. Because this is a DIY aquarium kit, you are free to divide up your tank any way you desire.
The kit I linked to is for a 10 gallon tank kit, which will allow you to house 2 male bettas comfortably. The picture above is using a 20 gallon long tank divider. This allows you to house 3 male Bettas!
Because of their holed design, The male Bettas will see each other and display their male aggression. This results in fin flashing and other desirable behaviors that show off your Bettas’ fins and color while also keeping your males safe from each other. Your Bettas will get their space and will remain active with the other males around.
What’s not to like about these dividers? The dividers are designed for Aquaeon glass tanks only. Other glass tank brands will likely have too tight of a fit and could risk cracking. Because of the design, it is recommended you place a filter in each section. I feel the cost of multiple filters can be mitigated by utilizing sponge filters. Check out our Best Sponge Filter blog post for the best ones to buy.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Well designed
Cheap DIY
Houses multiple Betta
Cons
Only works with Aqueon
Requires more filtration
4. Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium – A Great CheapChoice
The Marineland Contour Glass Aquariumkit is a great valued priced Betta tank. The price for what it comes with is amazing. Marineland is a well known manufacturer of aquariums so you can purchase their tanks with confidence that they will last a lifetime. This is similar to Marineland portrait aquarium kit, but this won out because I like the lighting system on this over the portrait aquarium.
The main attraction of this tank is its presentation. The rail-mounted LED light kit give this Betta tank a wonderful touch. It looks amazing with nothing in it in the person sitting on a desktop. LED lighting is powerful enough to work with low-light plants like Java Fern. I like the blue LED lights for the moonlight look as well.
The filtration system on this 5 gallon tank is a 3 stage unit using Marineland’s famous Rite-Size cartridges. These cartridges have to bother mechanical and chemical in the same package and are easy to remove for maintenance. The tank comes with a lid that is easy to move out of the way when feeding or cleaning.
This cube design aquarium kit is a great package with a great price. My biggest gripe about the Marineland Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit is that you cannot place the heater in the filtration chamber. It’s recommended that you do not according to Marineland. I want to hide my heater with an all-in-one chamber so this is a big disappointment for me. The curved glass can look odd at certain angles, but not a deal breaker. The main money gripe here is the Rite-Size cartridge. It doesn’t use foam, which is reusable. The cartridges get thrown away after the carbon is exhausted, which means you need to continue to buy replacements. Long-term, that will add to your cost.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Good price
Looks great
3 stage filter
Cons
Heater placement
Rite-Size cartridges
5. Fluval Chi – Zen-like Aquarium In A Small Package
Are you looking for a jaw dropping aquarium? If so, the Fluval Chi is easily the best looking aquarium kit on this list. The Fluval Chi is elegantly designed and inspired by Feng Shui. It starts with it’s clean horizontal design and its water flow.
The water flow is made by a specially design filtration unit. This unit filters from the bottom of the unit then filters down with a fountain like stream down to your aquarium. This creates a therapeutic setting. It does an amazing job of creating calm and accenting counter tops and even has a centerpiece on a piece of furniture. The water flow is so calm that it requires no modification for to use as a Betta tank.
So why isn’t this aquarium at the top of the list? It sounds amazing so far. Well, the LED lightning is not that great. I would not even recommend low light aquarium plants with the LED light it comes with. The filtration system is built into the light, which means if either the light or filter fails you have to buy an entire unit.
The price to replace the light/filter combo is nearly as much as the aquarium kit itself! The final con is the dimensions. Bettas prefer more horizontal space to swim around. You can mitigate horizontal dimensions with a mirror or a multiple betta divider, but for a single Betta fish I would prefer a long tank.
The Hagen HG Fluval Flex Aquarium kit debuts on this list as the largest aquarium. Weighing in at 9 gallons in volume, this tank will provide plenty of swimming space for your prized Betta and maybe a couple of peaceful tank mates. The Fluval Flex aquarium kit uses the exact same filtration system as the Flex Spec V. This true 3 stage filtration unit is top notch and the all-in-one chambers are large enough to fit a heater in the return section.
The aquarium has some really nice touches to it. It has a feeding opening that you can use to feed your Betta and the return comes with a multi-directional output so you are able to spread out the current. The aluminum trim on the cover is very appealing and fits flush on the aquarium.
The LED lighting on this aquarium kit has some interesting features to it. The LED lights have the ability to change colors so you can do various color blends to bring out the best coloration out of your Betta fish. This is great for a fish only tank, however if you are going to add plants to the tank I would recommend keeping the stock settings. LED is part of the lid that fully encloses the tank preventing evaporation issues.
Speaking of plants, this light can handle low light aquarium plants. This saves you on having to purchase a separate Planted Aquarium LED. The white version of this tank pictured above is actually excellent for aquascaping. Many freshwater aquascapes prefer a white or frost background to bring out the max coloration of your plants.
This is a great aquarium kit with a few flaws. The price is up there near the price of the Fluval Spec V, but the Spec V overall is a better package. The glass has been known to crack easily due to it’s curved design. I am also not a fan of the honeycomb design at the top of the tank. I know it’s done to hide the waterline, it just looks odd to me, especially if you go with plants.
The Aqua One Trio is a great concept. It is an all in one aquarium kit that is specifically designed to house multiple male Betta fish. This is what every Betta fish enthusiast wants. It also has a hefty filtration system to handle three full growth males. At 8.8 gallons, it has one of the largest volumes on this list. It comes with a glass lid that is easy to remove when feeding and maintenance. It looks like the perfect Betta tank on paper.
So what’s the issue with this tank? Where does it fall short? It is a great concept and a dream design. It looks slick too. My biggest issue is the divider design. The divider holes are not designed that well. With the powerful pump equipped on this unit, it is possible for your Betta fish to get stuck on the divider flow holes. The dividers also do not allow for even flow, meaning the chamber where the return is will have a heavy stream of water over the others.
As you may already know, Bettas need calm waters. I can see how the male betta housed near the return chamber would be stressed from the flow. The LED lighting is okay not great. The Fluval LED lighting is superior in my mind.
Great concept and potential for a betta tank that needs refinement in my mind.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Houses multiple bettas
Great concept
Large size
Cons
Divider design
Light
Our Criteria
I searched and reviewed a ton of aquariums for your Beta Fish. There are hundreds of fish tanks available to purchase online. How did we decide what was best? It came down to the following criteria.
Aquarium Size
Through my research and experience in fish keeping (over 25 years and counting), the best aquarium size for a Betta is a 5-gallon tank. Anything smaller will be too little space and detrimental to the long-term health and lifespan of your Betta. Anything larger is too much space for a single Betta. Our focus in this review is ideal aquariums for a single Betta. An aquarium kit will also be preferred.
Filtration
I want a complete aquarium kit. Ideally, one that comes with a filter unit built in. This makes maintenance easy to do.
Lighting
Ideally, I can find an aquarium with light that is suitable for beginner aquarium plants. Having plants in our aquarium will make things not only more comfortable for our Betta but also healthier as plants will filter the nutrients in our water. These days led lighting is the way to go. If the light is part of a lid that’s a bonus for me.
Aesthetics
I want our tank to look sharp. I don’t want equipment to be showing everywhere in the tank. I want this aquarium to look nice on a desktop, cabinet, or countertop. I would prefer a lid to avoid evaporation issues.
Price
I don’t want this tank to break your bank. It must have a good price, but at the same time, it needs to be value priced. If it’s cheap and offers me junky equipment, I’m not putting it on this list!
How To Care For Them
So you got an awesome tank for your Siamese Fighting Fish. Great job! Now you might be wondering how to take care of a Betta fish. I’m right here for you! In fact, I wrote up a lengthy guide on Betta Fish Care. In this article I go over:
The great thing is I started you off on the right foot with the top 3 choices of this post. Want to learn more? Check out my article.
Additional Tips And Tricks
Here are some additional tips and tricks for you to keep your Siamese Fighting Fish in the best shape possible
Selection
Purchase your Betta from a reliable vendor. Betta is readily available at all pet stores including chain stores. Make sure you purchase a quality Betta that is not sick. Look for obvious signs like damaged fins, white spots, cloudy eyes, and red sores. Always ask the place you buy your Betta fish from to feed it and observe it eating. If it is near other males, look for signs of aggression. A healthy male Betta should display aggression to other males.
Maintenance
Change your water at least biweekly to start after your aquarium has cycled. Always observe your water quality parameters with a proper Aquarium Test Kit. Once you get in the habit of testing and see consistency in your numbers, you can water change according to your water quality parameters. If you have gravel clean it out with a gravel vacuum. Clean your filtration media once a month with your tank water.
Aquascaping
You can build a fantastic-looking aquascape with a Betta Fish Tank. These are super easy to maintain and set up. All it requires is some Driftwood for Aquarium and some Beginner Freshwater Plants. You can look at those links for additional selections on driftwood and plants. Most of the LED lights that come with the aquariums on this list will support plants. I’ve already took care of the guesswork for you ?.
I know likely are in a hurry to go get your aquarium, so here is this quick video from Regis Aquatics showing a natural aquascape style using a Betta Fish for inspiration. Enjoy!
FAQS
What type of aquarium is right for you?
The best type of tank for a single Betta fish would be a 5 gallon fish tank. A 5 gallon fish tank offers enough space and filtration to keep a betta happy and healthy. In order to keep more fish, however, you will need to increase the tank size. For multiple fish, you can consider a 10-gallon or even a 20-gallon tank.
Do They Prefer Long or Tall?
Like many fish, Bettas prefer to have longer tanks than tall. This is because they are used to shallow waters in the wild. As such, they tend to have wide territories. Many other fish are more comfortable with long and shallow versus tall tanks. Tall tanks tend to be better for the fish tank owner, who prefers horizontal space for viewing, aquascaping, and aesthetics.
What Do They Like In Their Environment?
Bettas are partial to live plants. In particular, large leaf plants like Anubias and floating plants are preferred. Bettas love to lounge and rest on leaves and hide within driftwood while perching. You also play with them with toys like a ping ball!
Can it Be Too Big?
Absolutely not. In a larger tank, Bettas will establish their territory and generally stick to their general area. They won’t get lost in a large tank and they will get along better with schooling fish with the extra space. If anything, more space curbs their aggression. In fact, there are documented cases where even male bettas can coexist in large tanks with plenty of floating and live plants for both to establish their own space!
Aussie aquatics is the most documented influencer in our space who has successfully kept multiple male bettas in a tank without a divider. You can check out his video here.
Do They Get Lonely?
It’s not really a matter of them getting lonely, but them getting bored. Betta fish are actually one of the more intelligent fish you can purchase in the freshwater hobby. They can be taught tricks and make a great solo pet fish to keep when housed in an appropriate-sized aquarium.
When kept in bowls and other small containers under 5 gallons, a betta fish can get bored due to lack of stimulation. Try to make your environment healthy for your betta by offering it a good amount of space, decorations, and interaction. If you purchase a larger aquarium, you can purchase tank mates who will get along with them and stimulate them more.
Closing Thoughts
Betta fish tanks are beautiful fish that demand an equally beautiful tank. The fish tanks I recommended today are perfect for your pet Betta and will set you on the path to creating the perfect setting for it. I hope you enjoyed reading this article. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. Thanks for reading!
📘 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Betta Fish Guide — your ultimate resource for betta care, types, tank setup, feeding, tank mates, and more.
Sponge filters are one of the most underappreciated tools in the hobby — simple, cheap, and brutally effective for biological filtration. I use them religiously in my quarantine tanks because they’re gentle on fish, easy to seed with beneficial bacteria from an established tank, and nearly impossible to break. They’re also my top recommendation for betta tanks and shrimp tanks where strong flow from a HOB can be a problem. After testing many brands over the years, there’s a clear difference in sponge density, fit, and airflow efficiency between the best and the rest.
With over 25 years of experience in the aquarium hobby, I’ve assisted countless clients, hobbyists, and readers like you in setting up successful aquariums. I’ve personally tested these products in real world scenarios to determine the best sponge filter on the market.
Let’s get straight to the point and talk about my top picks among the crowd of sponge filters available. So, among all the sponge filters I reviewed, the Hikari Bacto Surge is the clear top pick. It has the best song material and is of the highest quality. The Qanvee offers chemical filtration and a dual sponge setup at a great price. The Uxcell Biochemical is a clone of the Bacto Surge at a much cheaper price (though the sponge material isn’t the same quality. is which one is the best sponge filter? We have several category winners in this review.
The Candidates – A Quick Overview
Below is a list of the best sponge filters you can purchase today. I will discuss the pros and cons of each filter below.
Now that you know the 7 I considered and the top choices, let’s look at each one in detail to see what makes these products stand out. Starting with our top choice from Hikari! Check out the video from our YouTube Channel below.
1. Hikari Bacto Surge – High Quality Name Brand Product
The Hikari Bacto Surge Sponge Filter is the name brand sponge filter on this list. Hikari is a highly quality name brand in the industry. They did not cheap out on this filter. The bacto surge filter uses a highly porous sponge filter that maximizes biological filtration for beneficial bacteria that is better than most filters on this list. Because of their construction, it is easy to modify these filters to make them more silent by inserting an air stone inside them.
Like the Aquarium Technology filter, the Bacto Surge is more expensive than most on this list. Unlike the aquarium technology filter though, this one is more readily available in fish stores.
This style of sponge filter has really grown on me. This double sponge filter from Qanvee has a lot of great features. It has a media chamber that comes with surprisingly good ceramic media. This allows you to use the sponges as a mechanical and the ceramic media as your biological. You can also replace it with carbon and have a 3 stage filter. The telescoping lift tube allows you to quiet down the filter a little. That very welcome considering that you cannot modify these with an airstone. The color is more naturally being dark.
Overall, this is one of the better buys for a sponge filter.
Hikari and Aquarium Technology sponge filters are well constructed and great filtration units. However, they are pricey. What if you could get a similar unit for less? This is where Uxcellcomes in with their sponge filter. This is among the cheapest sponge filters on our list and it is well made. It starts off with its superior foam, easily the best among all the value priced brands on our list. You get the advantages of modification with this filter. Dropping in an air stone in the bull eye makes them very quiet
The downfalls with this sponge filter? It doesn’t offer an option for chemical filtration and the weighted base is on the cheap.
Aquarium Technology Hydro-Sponge Filters are one of the best sponge filters available on the market. Founded in 1991 , this Atlanta based company has continued to make high quality sponge filters that can work on small aquariums, large aquariums, and even ponds. It all starts with the patented foam and superior construction. The foam is unique to Aquarium Technologies with a ideal density for both mechanical and biological filtration. This density provides maximum surface area for beneficial bacteria. The construction is american made and expertly engineered with a free standing heavy base that locks securely in place. The base is also easy to take apart so you can accommodate in other spots.
This construction allows for great flexibility on how you implement filtration. You can modify the install by inserting an air stone to make it extra quiet. If want to increase the flow on the sponge filter, you can power it with an aquarium powerhead instead of an air pump.
This well constructed product made by a family based business only has one downfall I can think of. It’s expensive compared to other sponge filters here.
AquaNet’s Sponge Filter is a unique design as it features a dual media design. It comes with biomedia for these media chambers, but you can switch those out with chemical media and have a full 3 stage filtration unit. The lift tube can be turned 360 degrees as well.
The suction cups are not the best quality. Several users complained that the unit tends to fall down. They also can’t be modified to be made quieter.
The Huijukon Air Driven Sponge Filter is a great value price sponge filter to consider. The dual sponge filter construction allows you to clean one sponge instead of both which keeps your bacterial losses less during maintenance. I also like the telescoping lift tube that gives you an extra 4 inches. It is small enough to fit in smaller tanks and provides a good amount of filtration.
Because of its construction, it cannot be modified with an airstone to be made more silent. It also lacks chemical filtration. I’ve seen this sponge filter used a lot in quarantine and breeder tanks. It’s a great sponge filter to consider.
Sponge filters are cheap, but somethings getting the air pump is also an added cost that can price you out. Fortunately Huijukon has a great package that addresses this. This combo kit includes an air pump, airline hose and air stone to get you start. To top it off, the sponge filter has a media chamber that allows you to convert the filter to a 3 stage unit.
Like all suction cup style sponge filters, this cannot be modified. The air pump is also a dual outlet. Given the output of the air pump, I feel it was more appropriate for it to be a single outlet. I do like that it comes with all the accessories though. This is a well priced and competent package.
Pros
Air Pump Included
Sponge filter can hold chemical media
Dual sponge filter
Cons
Can’t be modified
Air pump should be single outlet
What Is It?
A sponge filter is super simple. It literally is a piece of foam that filters your entire fish tank. Some people are taken aback that that really is all there is too. It’s simplicity has to do with it’s foam filter that doubles up as a mechanical and biological filtration unit. A well made sponge filter will be made of the following components.
1. Foam
The better the quality sponge filter, the better the foam. This matters a ton in your selection process! The sponge will house the beneficial bacteria that becomes your biological filtration. The best sponge will have more surface area and will have superior biological filtration capacity.
2. Weighted Base
This keeps your sponge filter from floating away or getting dragged around by your fish and current. The base can be anchored against gravel or aquarium rocks. Some aquarium sponge filters utilize a suction cup mount instead of a weighted base. Suction cup mounts can come in handy in bare bottom setups.
3. Strainer and Bulls Eye
The strainer keeps out detritus and food particles from filtering out of your sponge filter. The bulls eye allows you to connect your airline tubing directly to your sponge filter from your air pump. Some value priced sponge filters will not have this feature. They will have an airline hose connector that sticks out eternally from the filter for you to connect.
4. Lift Tube
This moves the water out of the sponge filter to the rest of your fish tank. On higher quality and larger sponge filters, you can use this tube to connect the sponge filter to an aquarium power head. This allows you to have a quieter and more powerful filter. Other sponge filters will have a lift tube that will extend higher so the bubbles made by your air pump will be less disruptive.
What Are The Benefits Of Having One?
Sponge filters have a lot going for them that make them super attractive for fish tank keepers.
1. Easy To Use Biological Filtration
Nothing is easier than a sponge filter. It just works. If you purchase a high quality sponge filter, you can filter large tanks. In fact, there are many local fish stores that use large high quality sponge filters to save on costs! Imagine that!
2. Two In One Design
A sponge filter can handle both mechanical and biological filtration. Any foam will do a great job at mechanically filtering your tank. A good foam will stand out in its biological filtration capacity. They are also very easy to adjust with an air pump.
3. They Are Gentle
If you have fish tank setup with inhabitants that require low current, these are great filters to use. You won’t have to worry about a sponge filter sucking up your baby fish, small fish, aquatic amphibians like axolotls or ornamental shrimp like the Cherry Shrimp.
4. Very Quick to Cycle
Because of the flexibility of the foam filter it is very easy to always have a spare foam handy to cycle another tank in an emergency. I’ve also done quick cycles by soaking the sponge in bacteria in a bottle solutions Fritz Turbo Start and got other tanks running.
5. They are CHEAP!
Ya I know that should have probably been the 1st reason. I just feel that shouldn’t be your ONLY reason for getting them ?.
What Are The Disadvantages?
So we know why they are great. Let’s see where aquarium sponge filters fall short.
1. They are Big and Ugly
If you are setting up a simple fish tank or breeder tank looks won’t matter too much. However, these sponge filters are not going to look great if you are doing a grand aquascape or driftwood setup. They are also very large and difficult to hide.
2. No Chemical Filtration
This is a big no go for me. I like having the ability to use chemical media in a pinch whenever it is needed. Not having that in a fish tank is a major issue for me. You can mitigate chemical filtration with lots of quality live plants, but then you will still have #1 to deal with above.
3. Some Fish Will Try To Eat It
Because a sponge filter is meant to be placed inside your fish tank, your fish are around it all day. It also traps food particles because it acts as a mechanical filter. If you have a fish like a Pleco or a large hungry aggressive fish they may decide to snack on your sponge filter thinking it would make a niece meal.
4. They A Loud And Splash Water Everywhere
I’m demand a quiet display tank when I setup a fish tank. I don’t want noisy equipment and I quietly don’t want my significant other or hear about my client’s significant other complaining about how the noise the fish tank makes keeps them up at night. Quiet and media are the main reasons I go for high quality filters like canister filters. You will also need to factor in the noise level of the air pump you purchase.
With their uplift tubes, many sponge filters will splash water everywhere at the top of your aquarium. Water droplets will get all over your aquarium canopy and the back of your walls. Again, I want quiet and clean in a display tank.
What Are The Ideal Uses?
I hit you with a number of disadvantages of using a sponge filter. While they may not be the best choice for a display tank, let’s talk about what types of fish tank they are excellent choices for.
1. Breeder Tanks
One of the best applications for a sponge filter is for a breeder fish tank. Because sponger filters are gentle they do an amazing job filtering in a breeder tank. You won’t have to worry about losing your small fish fry to your aquarium filter intake. They deliver great piece of mind in these setups.
2. Quarantine/Hospital Tanks
Because sponge filters can be setup and cycled so quick and easy, they are great to use in a quarantine tank. A cycled sponge can provide all the beneficial bacteria and biological filtration capacity for a quarantine tank. Since they do not use chemical filtration you are free to use whatever medication you need without worrying about your media removing or absorbing the medication. The sponge filter is also gentle to your inhabitant keeping stress levels down.
3. Freshwater Shrimp Tanks
Sponge filters are amazing in a Freshwater Shrimp Tank. Because of their makeup, you don’t have to worry about the filter sucking up your shrimp and their babies. Sponge filters will also grow biofilm on the surface of the foam making it food producing resource for your shrimp. It’s no wonder sponge filters are used so much in shrimp tanks!
4. Betta Fish Tanks
Betta Fish need calm waters. They also have long fins that can be sucked up by more powerful filters. Betta fish prefer light currents and will usually be housed in smaller tanks. This makes a sponge filter an attractive filtration choice for them.
5. Small Fish Tanks
Any aquarium 20 gallons and under is ideal for a sponge filter. This makes maintainance and filteration easy. A good quality sponge filter will have plently of surface area to support the small fish appropriate for a smaller fish tank.
How To Make It Quieter
So I kept mentioning that sponge filters can be modified to be made quieter. This is true for models with weighted bases like the Uxcell, Aquarium Technologies, and Hikari sponge filters. All you need to do is take it apart and insert an air stone in the bull eye. This video by BairCichlids shows you how to make the modification. Once done, your sponge filter will be more quiet and more effective in oxygen delivery.
Maintenance (How To Clean)
Sponge filters are super easy to maintain. Because the main piece of the filtration unit is the sponge itself, it is a permanent media. This ends up saving you media on disposable media and mechanical filtration cartridge that you might spend otherwise with an Aquarium Power Filter. The main thing you have to maintain is the sponge. Every month, take it out of of your fish tank and wash it in your aquarium water. DO NOT use tap water when cleaning a sponge filter. Doing so will kill the beneficial bacteria on the sponge.
The main thing you have to be careful of when removing your sponge is all the particles trapped in the sponge getting released. It is a great idea to take our your sponge when doing a water change so you can get what escapes out of the sponge cleaned out. I would recommend that you get a cover on the sponge when pulling it out. You can use a fish bag or a zip-lock bag when doing this.
Once you have your sponge and some of your aquarium water in a separate container put the sponge that and squeeze it several times. This will release all the particles out of the sponge. Replace the water in the container several times only you have fairly clear water after squeezing the sponge.
Tips and Tricks
Here are some more tips and tricks regarding sponge filters.
Your Aquarium Air Pump Matters A Lot!
Aquarium air pumps are a huge deal when it comes to the effectiveness of your sponge filter. An air pump is the engine of your sponge filter. You do not want to cheap out on a low quality air pump. Check out our Best Aquarium Air Pump post for details on the best out there. For a value priced air pump, I would recommend the Tetra Whisper. Tetra is best known for their air pump models and the Whisper is a great buy to get your going.
Consider One For Power Back Up Purposes
Aquarium power outages suck. They are the #2 tank killer in our hobby. A sponge filter and battery powered air pump can save your livestock in a pitch. If you aren’t in the market for a sponge filter as your main aquarium filter, consider it for your power outage plan. Just have a sponge cycled and ready to go.
The Material Matters
The better the sponge material the better the surface area for your beneficial bacteria. All the sponge filters here were selected for a reason.
FAQS
What Type Should I Buy?
The best type of sponge filter is one that has a lot of surface area to house beneficial bacteria. The HHikari Bacto Surge excels by having more surface area than cheaper generic sponge filters available in the hobby.
Are They Worth It?
Yes – sponge filters are worth it when they are used in the right conditions. They are best utilized in freshwater shrimp tanks, for raising fry, and for small fish tanks. They also work great in quarantine tanks. While they can be used in display tanks, the general practice is that they are not as there are better filtration units available such as power filters and canisters filters.
How Often Should You Change It?
Hopefully never. Sponge filters are meant to be used indefinitely as the sponge houses your bacteria. If you threw away the sponge, you would lose all the bacteria housed in it. It’s best to wash your sponge filter in your aquarium water when it needs to be cleaned, but you should avoid replacing it so you don’t disrupt your aquarium’s biological ecosystem.
Do They Provide Oxygen?
Yes, sponge filters provide oxygen in aquariums. In fact, they are one of the best filters to do this because they are hooked to air pumps and change a lot of surface agitation. They can also still provide oxygen during power outages as they can be run with battery powered air pumps when other filters would be offline.
Closing Thoughts
Sponge filters are cheap aquarium filters, get the job done, and are very easy to use. It’s not wonder they are one of the most popular filtration units on the market. I hope today’s post helped you make an informed decision on what sponge filter to buy. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment below. Thanks for reading!
🔧 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Aquarium Equipment & Gear Guide — your ultimate resource for filters, heaters, lights, pumps, tanks, and more.
Aquarium decorations are one of those topics I have strong opinions on after 25 years in the hobby. My personal preference leans toward natural — driftwood, live rock, and real plants create a more authentic environment that fish actually benefit from behaviorally. That said, I understand artificial decorations have their place, especially in tanks with fish that would destroy live plants or in setups where low maintenance is the priority. This guide covers the best decorations across both categories with honest takes on what actually works for the fish, not just for looks.
Sometimes, the best part of owning an aquarium isn’t buying it or getting any fancy equipment. As is the case with a home, the best part of owning an aquarium is putting personal touches on it to make something unique. Those aquarium decorations for your fish tank can be very satisfying to set up.
Finding Great Aquarium Decorations
Below is a table of our candidates. I stepped out of my comfort zone and looked at both artificial and natural aquarium decorations. This list will cover exclusively artificial decoration. I will have some real decoration links in the reviews for reference. If you are looking for real aquarium stones, aquarium plants, or driftwood, you can check the links below:
Let’s go into detail about these fish tank decorations. I’ll break down pros and cons below. Check out our video from our YouTube Channel. You can follow along with our blog post below as well.
Gorgeous and unique, Black Manzanita is the perfect thing to give your aquarium a unique natural look. The beautiful wood is 100% artificial but still has a vibrant color and natural look when placed in your fish tank. The tree like structure gives your aquarium fish have plenty of branches to duck in and out of.
This Manzanita not only serves as the centerpieces of your aquarium tank but zero tannins being artificial. This driftwood can also be used in dry terrariums and makes a good fixture for reptiles to enjoy.
Because it is an artificial wood, so you will not need to soak it for a week before it becomes waterlogged and you won’t have to deal with it floating accidentally. It also do not effect your water chemistry so you can use this on aquarium setups that demand higher pH or hardness like African cichlid tanks!
Another thing I love about this product is that Current USA makes it easy for you to design a scape with it. They built this line consulting with Aquascapers and they even give you templates and videos. Here is one such video that shows you how easy it is to design like a pro with this driftwood. Check it out below!
I’m tempted to never use driftwood again with setups after seeing these in action. Current USA has done an amazing job at creating artificial pieces that work in planted tanks.
These are artificial stones created by Current USA. Lightweight and easier to handle than the real thing. These are excellent stones and easy to care for!
I use to be a huge adovocate of natural stones vs artifical. That was until I was blown away from Current USA’s Seiryu Stones. These artificial rocks have the sae exotic-look porous rocks that are popular in aquariums as well as for terrariums and bonsai tree displays. These rocks are so life-like, you cannot tell the difference between these and the real thing. They have the same look with the added benefit of being lightweight!
And lightweight is a huge deal. You will never have to worry about cracking your aquarium if one of these rocks falls and handling these are super easy. They are pre-washed and ready to go out of the box!
If Seiryu isn’t your fancy, you can also opt for Current’s Ohko stone! These rocks still have the pockets with holes like the real rocks, giving plenty of nooks and crannies for fish to explore. Each rock is lightweight and can be positioned to make interesting structures.
The Dragon Rocks are a light tan color and reflect a warm dispersion of light that gives your aquarium tank a natural beauty, something that no other artificial rock offers in the hobby! Did I mention that these rocks do not alter water chemistry?
Did you ever want to have Seiryu stones in an African Cichlid tank? Well, now you can can with these rocks. You can create the aquascape of your dreams without worrying about having the wrong water chemistry. My creatives juices get fired up just thinking of the possiblities!
The only downfall that I can see with these rocks is there isn’t the same variety that you would get with the real rocks. However, lack of variety can be a good thing if you are new as designed with templated pieces makes things very easy – especially with Current’s offering of aquascaping bundles.
Let’s be honest here, artificial plants just aren’t very good looking. Most are made of plastic and clearly look fine to the eye or have weird colors that aren’t natural in natural. They tend to cater to the casual aquarist. Where are the artifical plants for the rest of us?
Current USA has the answer for us with their artificial plant line. This Fountain Grass is my favorite of the bunch. It resembles taller aquarium plants like Vallisneria, They look great on the background, and they relieve you of the headache of plants like this – which is the trimming!
These plants are affordable, easy to plant, non-toxic, and made in the USA! Can’t get any better than that!
Third on our list is this colorful and durable resin aquarium ornament, based on the popular TV show SpongeBob SquarePants. This aquarium ornament is officially licensed by the creators of the show and can give your aquarium a colorful and fun aesthetic while giving your fish a place to explore and home to stay in.
This fish tank ornament is made from 100% water-safe resin and works for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. The sturdy base can easily be set in a gravel base so you won’t have to worry about it floating away. The resin is easy to clean too; just wipe it down with a warm rage periodically and rinse before returning it to the aquarium.
This SpongeBob aquarium tank ornament measures just 5 inches high so it will fit in even smaller tanks without taking up too much space near the middle and top. The door opening in the middle is large enough for most small-to-medium fish and smaller fish can swim in and out of the porthole windows.
Pros
Durable, water-safe resin
Sturdy base is easy to set in your aquarium
Bright, colorful, and stimulating for fish
Multiple entrances/exits for fish to explore
Cons
Small, not good for bigger fish or larger aquarium tanks
Our next items are these Cichlid Aquarium Stones from Underwater Galleries. These aquarium cichlid stones are made from a natural, treated ceramic material that is a good substitute for real rock. Each stone contains a small hollow chamber that fish can hide in. These stones are designed for Cichlidsbut can be used for virtually any small fish.
Each ceramic stone is hollow, so they are light and won’t cause any damage to aquarium fixtures or glass. The hollow center provides a safe recess for fish and can be a good solution if you have a few larger aggressive fish. The ceramic material is treated to be water-resistant and cleaning is as easy as periodically wiping down with a warm rag.
These ceramic cichlid stones also have a pre-coating of gravel on the bottom, so they won’t slide around on the bottom of the aquarium tank. This particular offering comes with 3 sets of stones, each containing a small and large stone.
Pros
Durable water-safe ceramic material
Lightweight and easy to place/move
Perfect for small fish when you have larger aggressive fish
Precoated gravel base reduces shifting and slipping
Up next is the elaborate and fancy-looking castle fish tank decoration by SLOCME. This castle fixture is made from 100% water-safe resin that is eco-friendly and won’t fade in color over time. The castle measures 8” x 3” x 5.8” (LxWxH) and has several holes, gaps, and nooks for your fish to explore and hide in.
This resin aquarium sculpture is made with great attention to detail. Each brick in the stone wall is etched with precision and the whole setup can add a flair of sophistication to your tank set up. The resin base is thick and sturdy, so you don’t need any special setup to install it.
This fish tank ornament castle can be combined with realistic plant fixtures to make it even more appealing for your fish and viewers. It is small enough that it won’t crowd your tank for space and has enough vertical clearance that it doesn’t obstruct the top of the tank. It makes a nice home for your aquarium fish.
Sitting at 5th is this marvelous Malaysian driftwood from Estes. This driftwood has a wonderful natural brown color and helps create a nature-aesthetic in your aquarium tank. These pieces of driftwood are available in large, small, and medium sizes so you are guaranteed to find a version that fits your fish tank.
This driftwood isn’t just for looks either. It will release tannins into the water which lower the pH and make the aquarium more suitable for your fish (and also turn your water a tea brown). Driftwood can also soak up excess calcium deposits which also helps control the pH. The brown color is 100% natural and the wood is not treated with any chemicals.
It is recommended that you thoroughly wash the wood in warm water before placing it in your aquarium tank to remove any excess dust or dirt. Please note that any piece of wood may differ in shape and cut from that which is shown in the product description. If you are looking for an Aquarium Driftwood piece that doesn’t leech out many tannins, check out spiderwood.
These Marimo Moss Balls are a great alternative to traditional plants as an aquarium tank ornament. The moss balls each measure about 2 inches across and do not require any special Planted Tank Light, Aquarium Fertilizer, or CO2 System to flourish. You can keep them in any freshwater aquarium tank. You can even cut them into smaller pieces to propagate your own growth.
These marimo moss balls remove nitrogen and phosphates from the aquarium water and can serve as a food source for grazing aquatic pets like shrimp and snails. The vibrant green color is lush and can make your fish tank look more natural. They go well with rocks, plants, wood, and other natural aquarium tank ornaments.
Each ball can live for up to a few years too, so you don’t have to worry about replacing them over time. These minimal care moss balls are the perfect gift for any aquarium enthusiast.
Last but not least is this 21 piece set of artificial fish tank plants. These plants are all made from a soft, durable, and non-toxic plastic that will not lose color from light or water. Each piece of this set has a unique shape/color, and each one has a solid ceramic base that makes it easy to set up and is sturdy.
These artificial aquarium plants can provide a natural-looking environment for your fish, and coupled with other fixtures, can give your aquarium the appearance of a vibrant ecosystem. The plastic edges are soft so you don’t have to worry about scratches when your fish swim close. The plastic material also resists algae formation.
Each piece in this set measures between 3”-5” so you don’t have to worry about them taking up too much horizontal or vertical space in the aquarium tank. Keep in mind that your color selection is random, so you may get different colors than another person.
For overall best choice, I still feel that Black Manzanita is the best overall as a life-like wood. The Current USA stones are another excellent choice as it is one of the lightest aquarium rocks you can handle and looks great in fish tanks. The fountain grass is an excellent life-like artificial plant that is a favorite of mine and provides hiding spots in your fish tank. All 3 are excellent choices.
Buying Guide
Aquarium fish tank decorations come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, colors, and models. When you are shopping for tank ornaments and aquarium decorations, keep the following considerations in mind.
Tank Size
Cramming too many aquarium decorations in a small tank looks ugly and gives your aquatic pets less space to swim around in. Contrary to what a lot of people think, fish need space and stimulation to be healthy and grow properly.
When it comes to aquariums, less is often more. A small fish tank should not need more than 1 or 2 eye-catching decorations. Too much and you overwhelm both viewers and your fish.
Make sure that each sector of your fish tank has enough space and that the aquarium decorations are not concentrated too much in one spot. Ideally, each sector of the fish tank (bottom, middle, and top will have sufficient space so your fish can swim freely.
I recommend keeping a 2:3 ratio of tall to medium height aquarium structures. That means for every two tall structures, you should have about 2 or 3 medium structures to balance out the space. This will keep things uncluttered and provide a structured environment that will make your fish feel more comfortable and at home.
Natural vs Non-natural
Your decorations set the overall look and theme of your fish tank. Do you want your fish tank to have a more natural feel, with plants, wood, and dark gravel? Or would you prefer something a bit more colorful and off the wall?
Fortunately, the choice between natural and non-natural decoration styles has no bearing on the health of your fish. Aquarium fish can function perfectly with both natural and non-natural aquarium decorations, so the choice comes down to personal taste. The only thing that matters for the fish is whether they have enough stimulation.
Natural decorations like wood, plants, and gravel give your aquarium tank a more demure, sophisticated look that mimics the natural habitat of aquatic pets. Bright, non-natural designs, in contrast, can be used to draw viewer attention to specific fixtures or areas of the tank. Or, you could mix elements to make something unique. There are no wrong answers here.
Plants
Aquatic plants are usually a great aquarium decoration and can add a level of authenticity to your setup. Not only do plants look cool in the water, but they also give your fish more stimulation as they can swim around in the brush, like they would in their natural habitats.
You can choose between live or artificial plants. Live plants are great as a fish tank decoration because they add oxygen to the water and remove carbon dioxide/ammonia. Live plants can also reduce algae growth because they compete with algae for resources. The main drawback of live plants in an aquarium is that they take more time and effort to maintain.
Artificial plants, on the other hand, are really easy to set up and come in all kinds of shapes and colors. You lose out on the benefit of live plants, but they are much easier to set up, clean, and maintain. You could always opt for a mix of both live and artificial plants for your aquarium fish tank.
One word of caution here: If you buy artificial plants, make sure they are soft and don’t have potentially sharp edges. Fish like to swim up in the leaves of plants and sharp artificial leaves can scratch and damage their scales.
Lighting
Lighting is also an important part of aquarium decorations. You need to match the lighting of your aquarium fish tank with the kind of conditions your fish would encounter in their natural habitat. Thankfully, LED tech for aquarium lights have made it much easier to change lights to capture seasonal variations in luminosity.
Here is an example of what we mean: Natural sunlight at sea level has about a 5,500K spectrum rating. So, a 5,500K LED lightbulb would be a good choice for shallow water fish. Conversely, a 20,000K lightbulb would be good for mimicking the light spectrum found in deeper waters.
There are also actinic bulbs. Actinic bulbs generate large amounts of blue light, which helps live plants photosynthesize and grow. Many aquarium owners dislike actinic bulbs though because of the glare they can produce.
Also, make sure the bulbs you pick are not too intense (have a high wattage) Really bright lights drain more power and also can stimulate the growth of algae and other unwanted organisms.
FAQ
Can I use any rock in my tank?
No, the kind of rock you should use depends on whether you have a saltwater or freshwater tank. For freshwater, the best kinds of rocks to use are shale, slate, basalt, quartz, and igneous (lava) rocks. Avoid rocks with calcium such as limestone, as that can make the water become hard.
Things are a bit trickier with saltwater tanks. The best rocks for saltwater tanks are reef rocks—rocks that mimic the shape, color, and texture of coral reef. Man-made “Real Reef Rock” is a good choice and is not actually taken from the ocean. Dried coral is also good, but some can be put off by its bleached, white appearance. Regardless of which kind of rocks you pick, make sure you thoroughly clean before placing them.
Is resin safe for fish tanks?
Yes, in general, polymer resin (PR) materials are completely safe for fish tanks. As long as the resin is cured properly, it won’t leech any chemicals or toxins in the water. In fact, many popular best fish tank decorations are made from PR resin. If you want to make your own resin decorations at home, be very careful and make sure it cures completely before putting it in the tank.
On the flip side, you should generally avoid putting plastic decorations in your tank unless they are graded as food safe. Food-safe plastics will be fine in the water. Non-food-safe plastics can degrade and leach toxins in the water. The same holds true for ceramic decorations; only include them if they are “dinnerware” safe.
Can you put any wood in a fish tank?
No, you cannot put just any wood decorations into your fish tank. Wood that is prepared for aquariums is specially treated so it won’t rot in the water. Untreated wood will degrade and alter the chemistry of the tank, potentially causing harm to your fish.
Driftwood, on the other hand, is generally safe to put in your aquarium. If you want to include driftwood aquarium decorations, the best kind to get is a hard wood that won’t decompose as easily.
How can I make tank ornaments at home?
You can use practically anything as a decoration as long as it’s safe for the water and your fish. So yes, you can make aquarium decorations at home easily. This means nothing with paint on it and absolutely nothing that has a chemical coating. Some good materials for making home decorations include clay, ceramics, and safe plastic toys. Make sure to thoroughly clean your home DIY fish tank ornaments before putting them in.
Can you put regular toys in a fish tank?
Sometimes, yes. Regular toys made out of plastics that are non-toxic and kid-safe are generally fine to put in an aquarium. If you are going to put regular toys in your fish tank, avoid painted plastics or anything with adhesive stickers. A great example of aquarium safe toys are Legos. If you are not sure if some plastic is safe, you can always give it a coating of silicone sealing first.
How can I beautify my fish tank?
Any way you want! The only limit to decorations is your creativity. As long as your fish/other pets have enough space in the tank and the materials are safe, there are no hard and fast limits about what you can do and what you can use in your fish tank.
Conclusions
So there you have it, the best fish tank aquarium decorations and fish tank ornaments of 2021. These fish tank decorations are the perfect addition to all kinds of fish tanks and work for any aquarium in any home. No matter which aquarium decorations you choose, you can make something that looks great in your fish tank. The best aquarium decorations for fish tanks not only look good but make your fish feel at home.
🔧 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Aquarium Equipment & Gear Guide — your ultimate resource for filters, heaters, lights, pumps, tanks, and more.
Canister filters are my go-to recommendation for anyone running a larger tank or a heavily stocked system — they offer more biological and mechanical filtration capacity than hang-on-back filters, and when set up correctly they run quietly and efficiently for years. I’ve personally tested many canister filter models over 25 years, and there’s a significant gap between the top-tier German-engineered options and the budget brands in terms of reliability and flow performance. This guide covers the best canister filters I’ve used and what actually separates the good from the great.
With over 25 years of experience in the aquarium hobby, I’ve assisted countless clients, hobbyists, and readers like you find reliable equipment that lasts the test of time. I’ve personally tested these products in real world scenarios to determine the top external filters to buy.
Let’s look at my top 3 picks for those in a hurry. There is no doubt in my mind that the OASE Biomaster Thermo is the best canister filter you can buy today. It’s German-designed with an integrated heater. It is the easiest filter to maintain due to its quick release mechanical filtration section. The Fluval canister filter continues to be the best value buy with its solid name brand and reputation. For budgets, the SunSun offers a great price with a UV sterilizer that will combat green water in freshwater aquariums.
The Candidates – A Quick Comparison
There are many aquarium canister filters out on the market. The list below was handpicked by my years of experience in the hobby and through various client builds. Many have unique features and others have great brand names behind them. The great thing about the freshwater hobby is that it has been around for a long time, which has given the industry time to develop high-quality filtration products. I’m here to keep you from eating your money on a sub-par product. Canister filters are a pain to replace. It’s a purchase you should only need to do once for your aquarium!
Below is my list of the best canister filters in the industry:
Are you simply looking for the best canister filter for your hard-earned money? If so, OASE Indoor Aquatics canister filter is the very best you can find today, end of the story, full stop. Just go buy it now and stop reading…
OASE Indoor Aquatics is a brand that has been quietly getting buzz among planted tank hobbyists. It is a very high quality canister filter that is made by German Engineering. OASE itself has been around since 1949, but they haven’t been in the US that long, debuting in 1994. This is a high end canister filter with a unique feature as it is the only canister filter that can hold a heater inside the canister.
I also like the pre-filter in the Biomaster Thermo as it can be removed with no mess. It is foam based, making it longer lasting for the user and saving you money long term on mechanical filter media. There is also a flow regulator on the unit so you can adjust the water flow rate. It is easy to prime and the canister filter overall is very well designed.
The filtration process is exactly what we are looking for in an external canister filter. It flows correctly into the 1st mechanical stage and then to the other parts of the aquarium filter. This is a function I see with all top end aquarium canister filters and the Biomaster is no exception!
There is a standard BioMaster canister filter, but I feel that the Thermo model really stands out with its integrated heater. The heater fits right into the filter. This keeps your heater out of your display tank. This takes that ugly heater out of your display and keeps you with a proven heater technology versus an inline that can be hit or miss. The heaters themselves are of excellent quality and backed by 3 year warranties.
The product we tested was the OASE Biomaster 250. In our testing, it ended up being the second most silent canister filter that we tested. The pre-filter option is one of a kind and stands out among all others reviewed and tested. The media capacity is above average. Not amazing like the FX of Eheim pros, but still at the higher end. The specs of their entire line-up is in the table below:
Specs
BioMaster Thermo 250
BioMaster Thermo 350
BioMaster Thermo 600
BioMaster Thermo 850
Dimensions (in.)
9.4 x 9.4 x 14.6
9.4 x 9.4 x 16.7
9.4 x 9.4 x 19
9.4 x 9.4 x 22
Dimensions (mm)
240 x 240 x 370
240 x 240 x 425
240 x 240 x 480
240 x 240 x 560
Rated voltage
120V / 60 Hz
Power consumption, filter
15 watts
16 watts
23 watts
25 watts
Power cord length
6 ft. (1.8 m)
Net weight
9 lbs. (4 kg)
10 lbs. (4.5 kg)
11 lbs. (5 kg)
12 lbs. (5.4 kg)
Maximum flow rate
250 gph (900 l/h)
300 gph (1100 l/h)
350 gph (1250 l/h)
400 gph (1500 l/h)
Maximum Head Height
5.6 ft. (1.7 m)
5.9 ft. (1.8 m)
6.6 ft. (2 m)
7.4 ft. (2.3 m)
Connection fits
5/8″ ID (16 mm)
Tubing
5/8 in. ID x 13 ft. (16/22 mm x 4 m)
Filter Volume
1.2 gal (4.4 L)
1.5 gal (5.6 L)
1.8 gal (6.8 L)
2.1 gal (6.8 L)
Pre-filter Volume
0.11 gal (0.4 L)
0.13 gal (0.5 L)
0.16 gal (0.6 L)
Suitable for aquariums up to max.
66 gal (250 L)
90 gal (350 L)
160 gal (600 L)
225 gal (850 L)
It does have a high price tag, but it is superior to the high end Eheims and Fluvals of the world. The main downfall is they are hard to find in stores. It is worth purchasing this professional external canister filter online given its lack of availability locally.
For those of us who have been in the aquarium business for a long term, we are very familiar with the Eheim vs. Fluval battle. Both of these manufacturers have been debated among the community as to who makes the best canister filters and for a very good reason.
The Fluval Canister Filters are quality Italian made units. I really wish I would hear more about Italian and German made equipment in the Reefing side of the hobby with all the Chinese manufactured equipment, but I guess the freshwater community gets all the good names. The Fluval series has the best quality for the price among all others on this list.
This was also the most well liked brand from our YouTube subscribers. Check out the results of the poll I took on my channel. Fluval is the clear brand favorite!
The Fluval Canister Filter steps up with this new design that now comes with flex ribbed tubing versus the cheap vinyl you are used to seeing with canister filters. It brings water down into the chambers of the filter to ensure the first chamber filters first as it should and it has a nice check valve feature on the drain preventing a flood in the event of a power outage or motor failure.
Like all the other high end external canister filters, the Fluval has great filter media capacity. The instant prime system allows for a quick start-up and the lift-lock clamps make it easy to access. All the 7 series models are shown below for reference:
MODEL Item #
107 A440
207 A443
307 A446
407 A449
Aquarium Capacity*
10-30 US Gal (40-130 L)
20-45 US Gal (60-220 L)
40-70 US Gal (90-330 L)
50-100 US Gal (150-500 L)
Pump Performance
145 US Gal/h (550 L/h)
206 US Gal/h (780 L/h)
303 US Gal/h (1150 L/h)
383 US Gal/h (1450 L/h)
Vertical Pre-filter
514 cm2
803 cm2
803 cm2
1074 cm2
Basket Volume
1.2 L
1.8 L
3.1 L
4.2 L
Total Chamber Volume
2.0 L
3.1 L
4.5 L
6.0 L
Canister Volume
3.9 L
5.3 L
7.3 L
9.2 L
Filter Circulation**
95 US Gal/h (360 L/h)
121 US Gal/h (460 L/h)
206 US Gal/h (780 L/h)
245 US Gal/h (930 L/h)
Max Water Column Height
1.45 m
1.45 m
1.75 m
2.25 m
Wattage (120V/60 Hz)
10 W
10 W
16 W
23 W
Wattage (230-240V/50Hz)
10 W
10 W
15 W
20 W
Filter Dimensions (L x W x H)
7.5 x 7 x 13.7” (19 x 18 x 35 cm)
7.5 x 7 x 16.5” (19 x 18 x 42 cm)
9.5 x 7 x 16.5” (24 x 18 x 42 cm)
9.5 x 7 x 19.3” (24 x 18 x 49 cm)
One thing to note is that while the Fluval has superior canister volume over the OASE, it isn’t as efficient with the spacing. Fluval uses a module system to separate out their filtration stages. This results in actually having less media volume than the OASE. It is also louder at 49 decibels over 43 for the OASE.
The main downfall I see with this unit is that it does not have valves so you cannot adjust the flow rate or easily drain it when maintaining. The flex hosing also keeps you from installing an inline heater unless you modify the plumbing. Fluval also debuted a new 407 Model in late 2019 so you can pick that model if you want the latest and greatest.
Pros
3 year warranty
Italian engineering and quality
All black design makes it easier to hide pipes in the aquarium
Uses flex tubing instead of cheap vinyl
Cons
More on the pricey side
Flex hosing while high quality can be a pain to deal with
If you are looking for a budget canister filter, the SunSun Pro Canister Filters are just what you are looking for. This canister filter provides a lot of generous features for the money. The main feature is the UV sterilizer that is included with the unit. This provides additional water clarity, algae control, and some parasite and bacterial control for your aquarium. It has your standard 3 stage filtration and the gallons per hour rating on these filters is surprisingly high compared to canister filters on this list.
The SunSun comes in two models rated at 265, 370, 525, and 793 gallons per hour. The product we tested at the 370 GPH model, which we felt was the most equivalent to the OASE 250 that was tested. On the sound test, it posted a 57 – the highest of all the filters tested.
The main thing we do not like with the sunsun pro canister filter is the build quality. The included canister filter media is pretty cheap and almost suspect on a more demanding system. The canister filter does not have a stage separating feature so you will have water going through the stages, and some users have reported issues with the motors. We also feel that the UV is underpowered, but we believe the purpose of it was really water clarity from the manufacturer.
It is despite its faults, extremely cheap. This makes it valuable for budget-conscious sellers and earns the budget option in our review roundup.
Replacing the Aqueon quietflow canister for this year, the Fzone’s new Stainless Steel Canister Filters give us a clone of ADA’s famous Super Jet stainless steel filters. If you have ever seen planted tank systems in Japan, you may have seen ADA Super Jets in action. These filters are very popular over there, but they command an extremely high price tag, more than doubling the price of the most expensive external canister filters on this list.
Fortunately, Fzone has created a clone of the SuperJet, and it’s a fraction of the price. I find it pretty genius of them to offer this same style of canister filter at a lower price point. Its price puts it in direct competition of the Fluvals, Eheims, and OASEs of the world.
There are a number of reasons why this canister filter stands out among all the others on the list. The main reason is the external water pump. It is powered by a DC pump and since it’s external, you can replace the pump without having to replace the entire unit or wait on shipping from the manufacturer to get another. Fzone allows you to select any DC pump of your choice, or you can go with one of theirs.
The next factor is these units are made of 304 stainless steel. Stainless steel is the look for professional aquascapes. It provides a professional look in your cabinet. The steel also makes the unit more durable than others. You should expect the body of the unit to last a lifetime.
This canister filter offers a good mix of features and value. Because the pump is mounted on the top, it gives the unit the maximum amount of filtration media capacity possible. Because you can select your own DC pump, the gallons per hour you can run through this filter are way higher than other canister filters you can purchase. Do you want an 800-gallon per hour canister filter? Easily done by mounting the right return pump. You’ll need to buy the larger units to achieve this due to the inlet pipe.
This filter has the highest potential when it comes to the media capacity of all the units tested. Only the Fluval FX comes close to it. Same with its gallons per hour, it’s the highest you can buy. We tested the 10L model and hooked up FZone’s recommended DC800 pump. We tested 55 Decibels on our sound app.
With the FJ Canister Canister, you have to purchase your quick disconnect valves if you want them. It’s literally an empty canister that gives you ultimate flexibility. It won’t have a self priming / push-button primer feature or a fancy heater compartment like the Biomaster. As a result, there is more DIY involved with it. While it is a completely beginner-friendly unit, the filter media capacity offered is second to none and it is extremely quiet.
If you are really set on an ADA style, this is the canister filter to buy. It’s not as functional or feature-rich as the Biomaster, but it looks amazing and it is very quiet to use. Oh yeah, it is also the only aquarium filter on this list where the filter body is backed by a lifetime warranty!
Pros
ADA style external canister filter without the price
External pump
Largest filter media capacity
Cons
Need to buy and cut all your filter media
Pump is not included – which makes this filter more expensive
I was super excited when SICCE announced it was entering the canister filter game. After all, most SICCE products have been reviewed very well on this site. The Whale is a very competent first attempt by SICCE. It doesn’t check all the boxes for me, but it’s a good sign that SICCE is figuring it out.
The main benefit of this canister filter is how the intake works. The intake brings water down to the bottom of the unit. The water then filters up. This keeps all the sections separate and maximizes each filtration stage.
The filter is designed for ease of use. The fittings are designed to suction or pressure fit. You also get Sicce’s filter media with the unit, which is actually pretty good. While most canister filters you would want to replace the filtration media with better, the media offered here is serviceable which can save you some money over other choices on this list.
For testing, the 350 model was used. We oversized a bit on this test compared to the OASE, yet despite that it scored the lowest sound rating at 39 decibels. This is the quiestest canister filter you can buy today!
These filters have competitive prices and are backed with SICCE’s long warranties (3 years). The priming system is also mounted on the intake, which makes it more accessible than other canister filters. It’s a great choice as a canister filter, just keep in mind that SICCE is running through some first-generation issues with their quality control.
The Eheim Classic Canister filter is a throwback to the original canister designs. It is an old, but proven design and with a brand name that backs it. Eheim is best known for its canister filters and pumps. Their quality engineering, design, and durability are unmatched in the industry.
The Eheim Classic Canister filters offer a lower-priced option while getting the quality Eheim name. The Eheim Classic canister filter pumps are extra silent and extra energy-efficient, so much so that it is possible to run even the 600 model off a simple UPS for several hours during a power outage. That means you can run your entire filtration unit during a power outage – that’s a pretty stellar feature!
For this test, we used the 250 model and scored 50 decibels, this puts its noise level at average compared to all the other filters compared.
The main downfall with the Eheim Classic canister filter units is the design. It just looks ancient and ugly. It hasn’t been updated in years and the tubing is an algae green color. It doesn’t exactly hide well inside your aquarium. It screams classic canister filter. It also only comes with the mechanical and biological media, meaning you have to purchase the chemical filtration media separately.
Pros
Canister filters are what Eheim is known for incredible durability
For those looking at a higher end upgrade to the Eheim Classic canister filter, the Eheim Pro Canister Filters answer the call. This square model provides extra media capacity and is suitable for larger aquariums.
The pro units come with a self-priming feature which allows for the unit to quickly and easily start. The also has the ability to control flow rate with its Xtender control function and also has the ability to redirect water flow from different chambers to extend media life.
For testing, we used the 350 model, which is rated for 50-95 gallon tanks. It’s larger than our benchmark Oase, but still scored well in noise at 48 decibels. It’s not a bad filter and actually cheaper than the OASE 250!
Because of the high-quality bearings and ceramic axles on the pump, this is one of the quiet and durable canister filters. Eheims have withstood the test of time, with many hobbyists reporting Eheim canister filters operating 10+ years with no setbacks. They come with a price tag, but it is as one and done as you get with a filtration solution. You will not be disappointed in choosing Eheim!
The Fluval FX Series canister filters are a top-of-the-line canister filtration system for those with aquariums with high demands. The external canister filter is built to last with its Italian made design, external pump design, and high quality parts.
The FX Series filters are well known for their high flow rate, with the FX4 model having a water flow rate of over 700 gallons per hour while the FX6 pulls 925 gallons per hour. This power makes it ideal for larger fish that produce a ton of waste in the aquarium. The filteration media baskets and tray design give the FX the greatest capacity of all the aquarium canister filters on this list.
The canister filter also comes with a multi-functional utility valve drain that makes it possible to empty the canister for maintenance and also to drain water out of the aquarium seamlessly without having to bust out your siphon. It also has a gravel vac accessory so you can vacuum through the filter.
The largest model, the Fluval FX6, is rated up to 400 Gallons making this ideal for folks who keep large fish tanks. The twin output nozzles allow for customized flow rate and prevent surface scum from building at the top of the aquarium. Fluval really has thought of everything with this design.
Testing was tough with the FX. Because the smallest model is the FX4, it’s really comparing apples to oranges. Still, it posted a 48 decibel sound score, making it one of the quieter filters on the list! It has the second-highest media capacity of the bunch with only the FZone filter being able to best it.
The main drawback with this wonderful filter is the price tag. It is easily the most expensive canister filter on the list, but rightly so given the features and performance. I also do not like that provides carbon filter pads instead of actual activated carbon. The flex hosing also makes it more difficult to incorporate an inline heater (though in full disclosure you would need multiple heaters for a large tank anyway). The industrial-like design makes it time-consuming to maintain.
Pros
Built for larger systems – larger model goes up to 400 gallons
Second highest GPH
Second best media capacity
Italian built with external pump design – 3 year warranty
Flush valve and adjustable valves
Cons
Expensive
Annoying to take apart for maintenance
They are massive – won’t fit in a tight aquarium setup
UNS is a new entry to our list, replacing the now-defunct Hydor canister filters. This is the only canister that can actually be mounted on the back of an aquarium (for the smaller models). The larger models are designed with planted tanks and aquascapes in mind.
The fact that you can hang this on the back gives you a lot of options if you are running a smaller tank. Not everyone wants to have a canister at the bottom of their cabinet or make not have room. This gives you the option of having the filter media capacity of a canister filter without the hassle of storing it. It is like owning the old Marineland Magnum HOBs, but the Delta is far superior with its filter media capacity and flexibility.
UNS offers a nice video to show you how to mount this unit on the back of your aquarium. Check it out below:
For our testing, we used the UNS 90 model rated up to 66 gallons. It posted a disappointing 52 decibels on the sound meter. This was sad given it has a higher media capacity than the OASE – thought not built as efficiently with their chambers as our German-built favorite.
If you are looking for a high quality canister filter for a smaller tank, this is a great pick up. It can mount on the back of the aquarium and the white parts blend very well in a planted tank. For the larger models, however, I feel the other options from manufacturers like OASE and Fluval are better options.
The Marineland Maniflow Canister Filters are the successor to the Magnum 350. For those of you who weren’t in the hobby before the Magnums were around, the Magnum was considered one of the more versatile canister filters. The main downfall of the old magnum was the lack of media space options with its limited filter media space.
The new Marineland Magniflows addresses the media space issue with this very well built external filter. The new magniflow have a stack and flow filter tray feature which keeps water flow from moving into the various stages prematurely. The canister lid is a quick latch on and off function with a better seal then the old mangums. What I really like is the quick release function which immediately shuts down water flow and separates the motor for quicker and less messy cleaning.
For our testing, we used the Magniflow 220 model. It scored a 55 on the decibel app, putting it below average on noise. Marineland does not post their filter capacity on their specs, but from what we could tell looking at the model in person, it holds less than the Fluval 7 series, and OASE.
Marineland also does a great job with the starting media that comes with it. They use foam for mechanical filtration, which is reusable and the bio-balls are a good mid-tier filtration media. The water polishing media is sizable and cheap to replace, but I would have liked it after the mechanical filtration to keep our chemical and biological media chambers cleaner.
Another thing I really miss is the diatom feature of the old magnum filters. The diatom filter option was great for water polishing, ich management, and removing dinoflagellates. That’s what made the Magnums so unique and it’s really an underrated filter feature. It’s a shame it could not be included.
Pros
3 year warranty
Auto shut down feature makes for quick cleaning
Quiet and clean operation
Cons
I REALLYmiss the diatom filter option on the old Magnum 350 filters
The Penn Plax Cascade is a competent and capable filter. Penn Plax is a family owned business. A great purchase option for those wanting to support an American business
ThePenn Plax Cascade Canister Filter is a filter with a lot of features with a great price attached to it. While I can talk about what the filter has, the big draw to me is the story of the Company itself.
Penn Plax is a family owned business operating since the 1950’s. Started up by an engineer turned pet store owner, he brought his family into the business who still operate the Company to this day. Their main product was fabricating their own mold plastics to create a business making plastic pet products. If you are familiar with licensed pet products from Disney, Penn Plax’s name is all over them. They are masters of licensed pet products. The story itself is very much in the spirit of American entrepreneurship and being part of a family of entrepreneurs they hold a special place in my heart.
Going back to the Penn Plax Cascade filter, you get a number of higher end features like flow rate control valves, hose clamps, and a nice rubber feet base to make the canister study and quiet. The Penn Plax Cascade canister uses simple filters like sponges, which cuts down on costs and provides flexible space to put whatever you want in there. The price for these units is very attractive and worth consideration.
For our test, we used the Cascade 1000 model which produces 250 gallons per hour. It scored a 51 decibel rating, which put it at the average for noise. Like the Marineland, Penn-Plax does not post their filter volume specs. Looking at these in person, they hold significantly less than the OASE and Fluval filters we rated at the top.
Pros
Family owned business
Price
Features
Cons
Cheap looking design
Filter media is not as readily available as bigger brands
Score
Noise Level – 51 Decibels – 5/10
Manufacturer of Origin – 8/10
Brand Name – 7/10
Features – 6/10
Price – 9/10
Average Score – 7.0
Which Aquarium Filter is Best for Me?
You may be thinking about getting started on an aquarium and wonder to yourself what filtration system you need. This blog post is mostly going to cover the freshwater side of things as saltwater tanks have totally different criteria (though in the canister filter’s defense canister filters do make good filters for a fish-only saltwater tank).
Determining the best aquarium filter for you comes down to several factors:
What fish are you planning to keep?
How concerned are you about noise and aesthetics?
How large is your tank
What is your budget?
Canister filters are often considered the best aquarium filters for freshwater tanks because they offer superior mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration – often times at a reasonable price. They are also well suited for terrariums and turtle tanks since the intake can go down further than power filters.
Benefits of Using this Type
Choosing a canister filter over a hang-on back power filter has multiple upsides.
High Water Flow Rate
Depending on the canister filter you select, there are some models that have higher water flow rates than others, which make them great for tanks that need a lot of filtration flow like African Cichlid tanks.
Some also come equipped with spray bars or outlet tubing that you can run on the surface of the water, which eliminates surface scum and aerate your tank. This can eliminate the need for a noisy air pump1.
Flexible Filter Media Selection
Superior canister filters hold a large amount of filter media space. You have the freedom to add multiple types of filter media in a canister filter. Most people will go for carbon, but there are other media such as additional biological filtration media, Chemi-pure, phosphate removers, and ammonia remover. These are just several examples of chemical filtration media you can add to a canister filter!
Easy Setup Process and Cleaner Setup
Canister filters are pretty easy to set up and go into your aquarium cabinet making them easier to access when needing to maintain them. A well-designed canister filter system will have auto-off or drain options that allow the unit to be cleaned without causing a giant mess.
Cleaning used to be the Achilles heel of canister filters of old, but as you will see, many of the top-performing canister filters I have listed here have features that make cleaning and regular filter maintenance painless and easy to prime again (some you don’t even need to prime!).
Long Lasting
The High-quality canister filters offer long warranties and are expertly built in countries like Germany and Italy. Both countries are very well known for building quality and durable aquarium equipment that has stood the test of time with 1,000s of successful field results.
We do have a budget-built system listed that is made in China, but they were included because several hobbyists have reported good results and not everyone is on a bigger budget.
Quiet Operation
This is the big separator between hang on the back power filters and aquarium canister filters. The top-tier canister filters are very quiet and you avoid that annoying vibration noise from a hang on the back filter. If you need a quiet area or sleep light, a canister filter should be on the top of your list for consideration.
Clean Aquarium Presentation
Most people who keep aquariums, especially in high traffic areas like living rooms, restaurants, and family rooms don’t want filtration parts sticking out like a sore thumb. A canister filter hides your major piece of filtration in your cabinet and you can work in an inline heater system to heat the tank without putting a submersible heater in the tank. You also have the option of not having to run an air pump with the aeration a canister filter provides. There really isn’t anything much better in regards to hiding equipment aside from using an overflow and sump, which is a whole other topic and level of filtration spend/budget.
What We Looked For
Figuring out the best aquarium canister filter on the market is not a quick chore. There are lots of manufacturers out there from many different price points. To filter out the good from the bad here is what we used in our criteria. We have tested over 20 canister filters and a dozen different brands. We looked at the following criteria for each.
Manufacturer of Origin
This is my #1 criteria. Call me judgemental, but I’ve been in the aquarium industry for over 25 years. I know the best equipment on the planet is going to be made and designed in Germany, Italy, or Japan. I’m trying to keep you away from cheap Chinese-made products that might save you money, but will not last. A good canister will last beyond the life of the tank.
Brand Name
Canister filters are made by the best of the best and the longest standing in the industry. In the fish hobby, these would be brands like Fluval, OASE, and Eheim. Eheim filters have been known to last over 20 years. I’ve seen several operating in fish shops and they rarely redesign their models. Why fix something that isn’t broken?
Noise Level
Noise sucks. Noise and media capacity are the two main reasons why people will buy an aquarium canister filter over a hang-on-back filter. To test sound, we ran the units through a watering trough with media empty. It’s almost unfair to run these units with media in because all these units come with different stock media. I also know filters can get louder over time as the filters build up gunk. It’s best to measure with no media to get the best reading from the motors themselves. Scores were all rounded up to the nearest whole number.
App Used
To measure, we use Decibel X from the apple app store. You can download it yourself if you want to test out the noise levels of your equipment and tank. It comes in real handy! Here is how each model tested fared.
Features
Some canisters offer high gallons per hour, others are designed for their media capacity, and some are easier to maintain. I look at all the features to see what stands out
Price
Let’s face it, an aquarium canister filter is expensive. You want a quality aquarium filter, but you don’t want to spend an arm and leg
The OASE Biomaster is a great premium canister filter and earns our top pick. With a heater compartment, you can keep your heater outside of your tank. The easy to remove mechanical filtration section makes maintenance simple. It’s a staple in every planted tank we setup.
We have listed a number of good canister filters to choose from. Now the question is which one would be right for you? Let’s talk about decision-making factors.
Size of Aquarium and Space
The size of your aquarium is a major factor in your decision. If you have a larger aquarium over 100 gallons, the Fluval FX and Eheim Pro series are strong considerations or even a multiple canister filter setup. You will want to measure the space you have in your aquarium cabinet to see if you can fit these inside.
Motor Adaptability and Durability
The motor is everything to a canister filter. If the motor breaks early, you are out of a filter. To us, the motor quality is the biggest factor in our purchase, which is why we lean on Italian and German built motors. You run the risk of getting a faulty motor purchasing a Chinese made pump and manufacturers who do not have a multi-year warranty on their canister filters should be seen as suspect. We believe the OASE, Eheim, Fluval, and Marineland, and Cobalt canister filters offer the most well built pumps of the bunch and they are all backed with 3 year warranties.
The next factor is adaptability. We want our canister filter to have the ability to adjust its flow with a ball valve. Some units on this list do not have ball valves and that does limit the ability to adjust your flow and quickly shut off your canister filter drain.
Your Aquarium Budget
Everyone has a budget and what they are willing to spend. You should take all the factors we mentioned in this post to determine the best budget canister filter to buy. If you simply want the cheapest canister filter out there, the SunSun’s would be the best to go with while the OASE BioMasters are the best canister filters to go if you are operating on a higher end budget.
FAQ
We included this section here to answer some frequently asked questions about canister filters. See the responses below:
Which one works best for saltwater aquariums?
All of these filters can work in a saltwater aquarium, but we feel that canister filters are best in a fish only setup. This is for multiple reasons:
1) Live rock and Dry rock are far superior biological media providers in saltwater aquariums than a canister filter can provide and is natural.
2) In a reef aquarium, a canister filter’s biological media could lead to excessive nitrate production, which would result in more required water changes and non-idea parameters needed for corals.
3) Many saltwater aquariums are built off a reef ready system or a sump, which does not really fit well with a canister filter
There are other uses a canister would be great for in a saltwater tank, however. Using them as a filter media reactor or to feed water into a UV sterilizer from the display or additional flow would all be good uses for a canister filter.
What is the top one for freshwater aquariums?
The OASE Biomaster filters are top notch and their 4 year warranty is great piece of mind. The OASE Biomaster is the best canister filter on the market if you have no budget concerns. For the best value, the Fluval 407 filters the best for the price value. SunSun is the best budget canister on the list.
How often should you clean them?
It does depend on your bioload and the type of fish you have, but you will want to replace or clean your mechanical and chemical filtration media at least once per month. Additionally, it’s generally not recommended to clean all the media in a canister filter at once. You will want to clean the canister and motor at least every 3-6 months to keep it running well.
We do have a preference of running foam/sponges over consumable mechanical media like filter floss to save on monthly expenses and to hold more beneficial bacteria.
How Long Do They Last?
Canister filters are the most durable filtration system available. I have seen Eheim Canister filters operation with zero issues for 20 years. Your canister filter will last depending on the quality and how often you maintain it. German and Italian made canister filters like Fluval, OASE, and Eheim has passed the test of time. They are the best brands when looking for a filter that will last a lifetime!
Which One Is The Most Powerful?
The Fluval FX5 is the most powerful canister filter from a capacity and gallons per hour perspective. There are other filters that are more suited for aquascapes like the OASE Biomaster, but the FX5 is the best when it comes to large fish-only systems.
Is A Sump Better?
Yes – a sump is considered the ultimate in flexibility and capacity for any aquarium. However, they aren’t always practical, especially for freshwater tanks. Freshwater fish tanks typically do not have a need for dosing pumps, auto top-off systems, and or the need for space for denitrifying fauna and scavengers. A Canister filter offers everything you need in a comprehensive package for a freshwater fish tank and many are very reliable.
So for freshwater, unless the fish tank is very large a canister filter is actually better than a sump. In saltwater, a sump is far and above better than a canister filter. Canister filters can become a nitrate-producing factory in an established reef tank.
Conclusion
We hope we were able to provide you with the information you need to make the best-informed purchase. There are good reasons for these canister filters to be listed as they represent the best available in the industry. They all have their place in an aquarium depending on your needs.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment in the comment section. We’re happy to assist you in choosing the right canister filter for your aquarium setup. You can also follow us on our YouTube channel for unique videos!
Do you have a filter model that you think stands out as the best aquarium canister filter out there? Let us know! Thanks for reading :).
The Isolation and Study of Nitrifying Bacteria”, W. Gibbs, 1919
Why Trust Us?
Aquarium Store Depot is dedicated to assisting aquarium enthusiasts of all expertise levels in finding the best products to enhance their aquarium care and maintenance. Our approach to reviewing aquarium equipment, accessories, and nutritional products is thorough and holistic, ensuring that we recommend only products that we personally use or have rigorously tested. You can read more about our product testing process here. To learn more about our team and mission, visit our ‘About Us‘ page.
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