6. Fluval Power Filter

 This filter is Affordable, convenient, inconspicuous – the hang on back filter excels at all three.

The hang on back filter (sometimes abbreviated to HOB filter for short) is the most common filter you’ll find in pet stores and online. A small pump pushes water into a compartment stuffed with filtration media, and then back out into the aquarium.

Sometimes referred to as the all-in-one filter, as it can accommodate mechanical, chemical and biological filtration.  They are affordable and easy to conceal behind the aquarium.

The biggest problem has been that because they are so small, most HOB filters available on the market rely on a high water turnover to run efficiently (causing strong current in the water which can be stressful, especially to fancy goldfish breeds).

But good news:

The Fluval C model takes delicate fish species into account by adding a special wet/dry trickle chamber that can hold nitrate reducing filter media (which also provides a greater surface area for beneficial bacteria).

The trickle chamber allows the media to be exposed to oxygen and water at the same time so it can work much better than submerged media.  And the design of the filter allows you to turn down the flow without compromising the efficiency.

It is unlike any models available on the market and the only one I recommend for fancy goldfish keepers or any delicate fish.

If it were me, I would PACK every square inch of this filter with FilterPlus or Seachem Matrix, which can assist in nitrate removal and provide more surface area than any other media I know of.

Another tip:

Using the Fluval prefilter sponge on the intake of the filter is a really good idea, as it can reduce the time between filter cleanings and prevent nasty mulm buildup in the media which can make  your fish sick.

 

7. Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filter

The aquarium canister filter provides a powerful filtration option. These filters operate by running water from the aquarium down to the filter underneath and then back up into the aquarium.

They can hold a LOT of filter media and don’t take up room inside the tank, giving your fish ample swimming room.  And if you don’t want a filter that’s intrusive, a canister could be a great option for you.

They are great for spaces where you want something quiet, such as in an office.

This one by Penn Plax gives you everything a canister filter should, while remaining affordable.  A big plus is the flow rate shutoff valves so cleaning is easier (a big complaint for most canister filters).

With canister filters, you’ll probably want to make sure you use a spray bar to distribute the current.

I pack my canister filters with jumbo ceramic balls. It is one of the Best Filter For Goldfish Tank.

They don’t trap debris.

They support nitrate reduction (seriously, my nitrates are almost undetectable every week when I test).

And the surface area for bacteria to grow is MASSIVE.

To prevent waste from building up at the bottom below the media (requiring more frequent cleaning) I make sure to put a sponge prefilter on the intake.

8. EShopps Wet/Dry Sump Filter System

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Now, we’ll examine the wet-dry filter, also known as a “trickle filter” or sump.

They offer very powerful biological filtration, so powerful that it can even increase stocking density capabilities in your tank!  They are used by goldfish keepers who want to support a healthy load of goldfish without having to buy lots of smaller filters to do the job.

Returning water is super rich in oxygen, and if you use nitrate reducing filter media, you can really reduce your need to do water changes.

As in, some people only need to do monthly… or even every 3 months water changes.

When that nitrate drops to 0 on its own, your chains fall off! 😉 It is one of the Best Filter For Goldfish Tank.

There are two main kinds of wet/dry filters: above the tank and under the tank.  For above the tank setups, water is pumped from the tank into a tray situated above the tank and trickles over the different layers of filtration media.  Like canister filters, what is inside is totally up to the aquarium owner. There are DIY versions, though these never seem to look very nice.

But this brand has a clean design and is very customizable.

9. Penn Plax Undergravel Filter

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Don’t let anyone tell you Undergravel filters are outdated.

When set up correctly, these things can be AMAZING at filtering your goldfish aquarium.

Why?

You have a surface area for your beneficial bacteria that is literally as huge as the bottom of your tank, something no other filter can match.  That means a safer environment for your goldfish.

Traditionally, the UG filter is positioned under a layer of gravel at the tank bottom and pulls debris through the gravel bed.  However, goldfish shouldn’t be kept with gravel (it’s a choking hazard), and with this setup you can get a lot of poop trapped at the bottom, which can be hard to clean and bad for your tank’s environment.

But there’s a workaround:

Instead of pea-sized gravel, you can use hydroton, nitrate reducing filter media like Pond Matrix (comes in a 1 gallon size) or small pebbles (bigger than the fish’s mouth, though does not support nitrate reduction).

And instead of pushing waste down into the filter bed where it gets trapped and yucky, you can force it up the opposite way with a pump and use a prefilter on that pump to trap the debris, making cleaning so much easier.

Marineland’s powerhead offers the ability to easily reverse the flow for your Undergravel filter.  You can also attach their prefilter to it to prevent waste from entering your filter bed.

Simply connect the pump outlet tube to your riser tube with a reverse flow and enjoy a safer and more effective aquarium filter

10. Hikari Bacto-Surge High Density Sponge Filter

With superior surface area for bacteria to grow, sponge filters work by pulling water through the sponge with the help of an air pump attached to airline tubing and making a home for beneficial bacteria in the little sponge holes.

They are great for tanks with fry or small baby fish, as they won’t suck up young ones and provide a gentle current.

It’s a simple and affordable option, though it does require frequent cleaning to work well and does not support nitrate reduction.

I like to use them alongside a more powerful filter for a biological boost and increased aeration in the water.

This one is good for tanks up to 75 gallons in size.

 

                                     FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BEST FILTER FOR GOLDFISH TANK

10 Best Filters for Goldfish Reviewed and Rated in 2020

Do Goldfish Need a Filter?

Short answer…

Yes.

Long answer…

The truth is, goldfish need to have a filter, and you need to have one for your own sake as well.

Goldfish produce toxins (through their waste and respiration) that accumulate in the aquarium and can cause all kinds of major problems.

The purpose of a filter is to supply a multi-pronged approach to get rid of the nasty toxins and keep your goldfish safe using a combination of mechanical, biological and sometimes chemical filtration.

Theoretically, goldfish could live without a filter on one condition:

Huge daily water changes.

Those would effectively remove the toxins and keep the water safe for our finned friends.

But it isn’t practical for most people to be doing this for their aquariums! We have things to do besides carrying buckets all the time and paying a massive water bill. ?

Filtration stands in the gap between a dirty tank and going crazy with water changes.

It’s the missing link!

 

What kind of Filtration is Best for Goldfish?

“Think of your goldfish filter as a mini sewage treatment plant.” – Goldfish keeper

There are 3 things to consider when it comes to picking out the best filter specifically for your goldfish.

1. Current

Common filter options like hang on back filters and canister filters hold less media.

That’s why everyone is always hyping having a high volume of water flowing through them, because without it there isn’t enough oxygen to keep the bacteria alive.

But guess what?

While athletic breeds like Common and Comet goldfish don’t mind current, fancy goldfish don’t like a strong current in the water.

Their fins are longer and catch the water current, blowing them around the tank or causing them to struggle to stay in place.

Sometimes they give up the fight and hang in a corner or sit at the bottom. This STRESSES the fish which weakens their immune system.

And what does a low immune system lead to…?

Disease.

Not good!

2. Safety

Many filters are designed in such a way that they require frequent cleaning to stay clear of debris.

If debris is allowed to build up in a filter, in certain conditions it can become incredibly toxic.

Mulm (white gunky gross buildup) and sludge (brown gunky gross buildup) stress the immune system as they become loaded with bad bacteria, leading to sick fish.

3. Effective

Filtration is more than just trapping particles of fish poop or having clear water (though those are nice of course).

Filtration is about completely eliminating ammonia (the #1 killer of aquarium fish in the world) and nitrite, turning it into the much safer nitrATE.

To get rid of ammonia you need beneficial bacteria that consume it and turn it into a far less harmful substance.  A good filter has got to have lots of room for beneficial bacteria to grow – or it they can’t do their job.

Let’s face it:

The majority of filters on the market today are way too small to be effective for our “messy goldies.”

They just lead to a false sense of security for the hobbyist.

So choose one of the high performing brands above for best results.

How to Choose a Filter for Your Goldfish Tank?

Now that you have a bit of an understanding of different types of tank filters, you can turn your attention to finding one that fits your specific needs.

There are a few different things you need to keep in mind when shopping for the right filter.

Goldfish Tank Size

The size of your goldfish tank is one of the first things you should note before buying a filter. A goldfish tank is measured by the amount of gallons of water that it can hold at a time.

This amount is important when buying a filter because if the filter doesn’t have an accommodating maximum flow rate, your tank won’t get cleaned properly, and you run the risk of getting your fish sick. Figuring out how many gallons of water your tank holds is the first step in buying the appropriate filter.

Water Flow Rate

The next thing to pay attention to is the water flow rate in your tank.

This is related to the size of your tank, so if you have a fish tank with 30 gallons of water in it, you want to get a filter that can turn over about five times that amount, or 150 gallons, in an hour.

A good water flow rate ensures that your tank is getting cleaned at a pace that’s not too fast or slow.

Types of Aquarium Filters for Goldfish

There are many different types of aquarium filters you can try, like sponge filters, power filters, and canister filters.

A sponge filter is normally used in breeding tanks and is powered by an air pump that forces the water through a sponge-like material. This allows beneficial bacteria to also take root and promote water health.

A power filter utilizes electricity to pull the water through the different types of filtration cartridges. These types of filters are also known as HOB or hang on back filters because they usually hang on the edge of your aquarium.

Lastly, there’s the canister filter. Canister filters use electricity and utilize a ‘water bar’ to spread the outflow of clean water along the bar. This type of filtration is good for saltwater and planted aquariums.

Filtration Technology System

There are three main types of filtration that occur in a healthy aquarium. Mechanical filtration is when the water is forced into a filter that’s designed to catch any waste particles during the transfer.

Chemical filtration refers to when toxic chemicals pass through a filter. This filter has been specifically designed to attract those kinds of molecules and remove them from the water.

Finally, biological filtration occurs when different bacteria are dissolved with the help of good bacteria. A biological filter promotes the growth of good bacteria and stops the appearance of harmful types.

All three of these methods of filtration are necessary for a healthy aquarium, so getting a filter that has equipment for all three is the best option.

Conclusion

After all of this information, you may feel overwhelmed at the thought of buying a filter for your tank. The good news is that you can enlist the help of the experts at your local aquarium store to figure out any details you may be confused about.

Once you find your perfect filter, you can continuously use the same brand and model, and your fish can continue to lead happy lives because of it.

What kind of filtration you choose depends on your lifestyle, the kind of fish you own, and the needs of your aquarium as a whole.

My advice has been and always will be put the fish first, then worry about looks afterward.

What is best for your pets?

In the end, a healthy, well-filtered aquarium will support healthy, happy goldfish and save you extra work.

 

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