Aquarium filter test - comparisons. Com 2024

Clean and oxygen-rich water: aquarium filters put to the test

If there is not enough oxygen in the water, the fish in the aquarium practically gasp for air. A working aquarium filter solves this problem easily. A distinction is made between internal and external filters. A large external filter is usually housed in a cabinet below the basin. An internal filter is small and is installed in the aquarium. In our aquarium filter comparison, we show which models are available and what you should pay attention to when buying.

Top product: Aquarium filter at Amazon

Which is better - an aquarium filter inside or outside?

If you are an aquarium hobbyist, it does not matter whether you choose an internal or external filter, depending on the size of the aquarium. Remember that a large aquarium, for example with a capacity of 1.000 liters and more, requires a correspondingly powerful filter. An internal filter would then be equipped with such a large motor that it would heat the water too much, as has already been shown in the aquarium filter test. In such cases an external filter is a better choice.

The external filter requires a lot of space and should be located below the aquarium if possible so that the water can flow into it more easily. The hoses must then be laid accordingly around the aquarium. An internal filter means less effort, but it hangs in the tank and not everyone likes the look.

Which filter technology does the best aquarium filter use?

Aquarium filter test winners usually convince with high-quality, multi-functional equipment. For example, bring a filter sponge, an activated carbon filter, filter floss (also known as fleece) or filter balls. If you are not sure which filter technology is best for your needs, you can choose sets with different materials.

It should be noted that you must change an activated carbon filter in good time to prevent toxins from being released into the water again. The manufacturers indicate on the packaging after which period the filter must be replaced.

Aquarium filters in comparison: the filter techniques

In the following we would like to introduce four filter techniques.

How much does the required filter performance depend on the number of fish?

It actually sounds logical: the more fish and other water dwellers romp around in the aquarium, the more excrement and food residues there are. If the water is not purified, it can become harmful to poisonous for the animals. A powerful filter system is essential to prevent such a case.

The performance of an aquarium filter is measured and specified in liters per hour (l / h). You are always on the safe side with a filter that cleans 600 liters per hour and enriches it with oxygen. For smaller aquariums with few fish and plants, an aquarium filter with a capacity of 300 liters per hour is sufficient.

How much electricity does an aquarium filter use?

The bestseller aquarium filter also needs electricity. Basically, the more cloudy the water in the pool, the more the filter has to do. Power consumption then increases accordingly. Good aquarium filters do not need more than four watts; however, very powerful pumps can consume ten watts or more. To do this, they pull the water through several highly functional filter layers and thus ensure reliable, albeit somewhat more expensive, cleaning.

How is an aquarium filter cleaned?

The aquarium itself, the filter and the pump should be viewed as a unit. The best aquarium filter is useless if it is dirty. Plants at the opening of the filter make it more difficult to circulate the water, and some filters release the substances they have absorbed when their cleaning capacity is exceeded. The more animals and plants colonize the aquarium, the more often the aquarium filter has to be cleaned. It is worth paying attention to how easy and comfortable the filter system is to clean during the purchase advice.

How safe are the animals?

Shrimps and very small fish unfortunately get into the filter system again and again, which is fatal for them. It is worth paying attention to whether the respective aquarium filter is suitable for shrimp, i.e. whether it has appropriate protection. Since many manufacturers provide no or insufficient information about this, you should read the reviews carefully.

If an aquarium filter for shrimp has been declared safe, you can use this model without hesitation for fish farming in your own aquarium.

Aquarium filter bestseller on Amazon:

Which aquarium filters are suitable for fresh water and which are suitable for sea water?

Since most aquariums contain fresh water, most of the aquarium filters are designed for this water. Aquariums that are filled with sea water require different ecological framework conditions and therefore also different filters, for example so-called living stones, filter sand and the like.

How does Stiftung Warentest assess the aquarium filters in retail?

If you are the tenant of an apartment or a house and your aquarium should leak due to an accident or something similar, you are fully liable for the damage caused. You are responsible for monitoring and ensuring that it is working properly. For example, an aquarium can leak if the external filter is not connected correctly after cleaning.

The Stiftung Warentest therefore recommends that devices that work with water (including, for example, dishwashers and washing machines) should only be operated with Aquastopp.

Unfortunately, there is no aquarium filter test report from Stiftung Warentest. As soon as such a comparison is carried out, we will report the test results here immediately.

Which manufacturers produce aquarium filters?

Most aquarium filter manufacturers specialize in a certain type of filter. The exception to this is Tetra, which produces both internal and external filters. The most important manufacturers and brands of aquarium filters include

• Tetra
• AquaClear
• Trixie
• hygger
• OMORC
• JUWEL
• Fluval

Most of these brands can be bought online, which has many advantages for you as a customer compared to buying from a local specialist dealer. When buying online, you can withdraw from the purchase contract within two weeks, the online shop is available to you around the clock and you have access to countless customer opinions and reviews.

Conclusion on the aquarium filter

Everyone who runs an aquarium needs an aquarium filter. Without such a filter, the water in the tank would pollute in no time and cause damage to the fish and other inhabitants of the aquarium. The larger the aquarium, the more efficient the filter system must be. Up to a certain size, it doesn't matter whether you use an internal or external filter. If the tank holds 1.000 liters and more, you should use a high-quality external filter.

Osmosis systems ensure clean drinking water, but do not replace an aquarium filter. They are usually connected directly to the water pipe at the sink in order to clean the water as it flows through. They are not designed for the ecosystem in an aquarium, as they do not offer any possibility to circulate the water.