If you are looking for best aquarium filters for large tanks then you are at the right place.
In this article, I am going to review the best filters you can use for your large dance from 60 gallons up to 300 gallons.
So without further ado let’s get started.
Table of Contents
List of the Best Aquarium Filters for Large Tanks 2019
We recommend Penn Plax Cascade Canister Aquarium Filter. It is a very reliable filter. And it comes with all the essential features. Check out its latest price and customer reviews at Amazon here
| Image | Name | Tank Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
  | Penn Plax Cascade Canister Aquarium Filter | Up to 200 gallons | Check the latest price at Amazon here |
  | Fluval FX6 Filter | Up to 400 gallons | Check the latest price at Amazon here |
  | Fluval External Filter | Up to 155 gallons | Check the latest price at Amazon here |
  | Aquaclear HOB filter | Up to 110 gallons | Check the latest price at Amazon here |
1. Penn Plax Cascade Canister Aquarium Filter
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You can use Cascade 1500 Black Elite for or aquariums up to 200 gallons and it can provide up to 350 gph.
You can use it for freshwater as well as saltwater aquariums.
This is a very sturdy canister filter and it comes with a rubber base that keeps the filter in place.
This canister filter comes with all the essential accessories for setup like canister housing, all tubes you required to set up this filter, bio floss, biofoam, ceramic rings, Pro Carb and large Magna Sweep algae magnet.
This filter comes with three-stage filtration.
The flow valves of this filter rotate 360 degrees and it also comes with a flow controller.
It also has a large media basket that you can customize according to your needs.
This filter also has large filter trays so you can use more media that will result in a longer period between replacement.
It has an air-tight seal that provides a proper water flow rate and it also helps to maintain quiet operation.
It comes with a large push-button primer which is very convenient and quickly and easily primes the filter with just a few presses.
This filter also comes with a spray bar which helps you to distribute the flow on the surface of the tank water. This feature is very good if you have delicate fish like Betta.
It also comes with tubing and directional sprout so you don’t have to buy anything else and you can start using this filter right away.
Customers are very happy with the performance of this filter some customers also said that it is a bit noisy.
Pros
- Sturdy
- 360 Rotating flow valves
- Flow controller
- Large filter tray
- Spray bar
Cons
- A bit noisy
- Not self-priming
Price
Check latest price and customer reviews at Amazon here
2. Fluval FX6 Filter
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If you are looking for a high-performance canister filter for your large up to 400 gallon aquarium then this filter is ideal for you.
You can use this filter for freshwater and saltwater aquariums.
It comes with all the essential accessories you need to set up the filter.
This filter comes with multi-stage filter pumps that pump about 925 gallons of water per hour.
This is an updated version and it consumes 10% less electricity than the previous one.
This filter is equipped with a smart pump which is an advanced microchip which continuously monitors and optimizes its performance
This is a self-priming filter so you just have to add water and plug in.
The smart chip will take care of all the other things. The trapped air is auto evacuated after every 12 hours to provide maximum efficiency.
This filter comes with an easy water change option which is quite convenient.
This filter comes with removable and stackable media baskets and it is designed to illuminate water bypass.
The media baskets can hold a total of 1.5 gallons of media.
You can easily rotate it valves and it is placed at a 45-degree angle.
This filter is equipped with anti clock telescopic strainer which provides continuous water flow.
It also comes with a flow controller and it is equipped with purge walls with a drain hose that provides easy maintenance and flushing of the canister.
It is also equipped with a rubber foots which gives the filter in place and it also helps to reduce the noise.
Customers are very happy with the performance of this canister filter. Some customers also found air bubbles bursting from the filter output.
On the Fluval’s official website they have mentioned various reasons that can cause these bursts of air and how to fix them.
Pros
- Smart pump microchip
- Self-priming
- Auto air evacuation
- Easy water change
- Flow controller
Cons
- Air bubbles bursting problem
Price
Check latest price and customer reviews at Amazon here
3. Fluval External Filter
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If you are looking for an external filter for your large tank upto 100 gallons then this filter is ideal for you.
This filter comes with multi-stage filtration and you can use it for fresh and saltwater aquariums.
You can use this filter for aquariums up to 100 gallons and it provides 383 gph.
It is equipped with sound-dampening impeller design which provides quieter operations.
This filter has a unique square-shaped design that enables it to hold 35 to 50% more water than the round canister filters of similar size, resulting in maximized contact with the filtration media.
Fluval external filter comes with an aqua stop valve which provides host disconnects and easy-open, multiple filtration baskets to hold the media, you can customize the media according to your needs and rim connector assemblies which give the intake and output causes in place on your aquarium.
It also comes with one motion lock clamps which makes the routine cleaning and maintenance easy and convenient.
This filter comes with a flow controller and it is also equipped with an instant prime for instant startup.
It also comes with filter media necessary for or mechanical, chemical and biological filtration.
The input and output valves of this filter are not rotating.
Customers are happy with the performance of this filter. Some users complain that it makes noise.
Pros
- An aqua stop valve
- Easy routine cleaning
- Flow controller
- Instant prime
Cons
- Noisy
Price
Check latest price and customer reviews at Amazon here
4. Aquaclear HOB filter
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If you are looking for hang on the back filter for your large tank from 60 upto 110 gallons then this filter is ideal for you.
This filter pumps about 500 gallons per hour.
Its unique design provides up to 6 times more media volume and longest media contact in its segment.
This filter is also equipped with a flow controller.
This filter is equipped with a cycle guard multi-stage filtration system which allows you to preserve beneficial bacteria.
Beneficial bacteria are essential for a healthy aquarium.
When you replace or remove all the cartridges from the filter all the beneficial bacteria are removed from the tank.
This filter comes with three cartridges you can change one of the three cartridges at a time, so the beneficial bacteria are preserved.
This filter comes with three-stage filtration.
At the bottom, there is a foam insert that removes debris from the water.
It also has a pore structure that provides a surface for the growth of beneficial bacteria.
In the middle, there is an activated carbon filter insert that removes bad odor and toxins from the water.
On top of the filter, there is a Biomax filter insert that contains ceramic rings that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria.
This is not a self-priming filter so you will have to add water in its filter chamber when you use it for the first time or after an electric outage.
Overall customer a very happy with the performance of this filter.
Pros
- More space for media
- Flow controller
- Cycle-guard multistage filtration
- Quiet
Cons
- Not self-priming
Price
Check latest price and customer reviews at Amazon here
Also See: Best HOB filters for Saltwater Aquarium
FAQ
What is the best filter for a 75 gallon aquarium?
If you are looking for a canister filter for your 75 gallon aquarium then Fluval external filter 406 is a good choice. This filter provides 383 gpg. If you are looking for HOB filter then go for Aquaclear HOB filter, it provides 500 gph.
What is the best filter for a 125 gallon tank?
Penn Plax Cascade Black 1200 Elite is a good choice for 125 gallon aquarium. You can use it for aquariums upto 150 gallons and it provides 315 gph.
What is the best filter for a 60 gallon tank?
If you are looking for HOB filter then go for Aquaclear HOB filter. You can use it for aquariums from 60 gallons to 110 gallons and it provides 500 gph.
If you are lookin for canister filter then Fluval external filter 306, it can be used for tanks upto 70 gallons. It comes with customizable 3 media stages and it provides 105 gph.
