If you are looking for the best canister filters for your 75 gallon aquarium then you are at the right place.
In this article, I have reviewed the best canister filters you can use for your large 75 gallon aquariums.
I have covered all their features and enlisted the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
List of the Best Canister Filters for 75 gallon Aquarium
We recommend Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filter 1000. It is a very reliable and effective filter. It is very convenient to use and clean. And it is very reasonably priced. Check its latest price and customer reviews at Amazon here
| Image | Name | Price |
|---|---|---|
  | Fluval 406 External Filter | Check Price at Amazon here |
  | Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filter 1000 | Check Price at Amazon here |
  | EHEIM Classic External Canister Filter | Check Price at Amazon here |
  | Hydor Professional External Canister Filter | Check Price at Amazon here |
1. Fluval 406 External Filter
Check latest price at Amazon here
If you are looking for a sturdy and powerful canister filter then Fluval external filter is ideal for you.
You can use Fluval 406 external filter for the filtration of aquariums up to 100 gallons and it pumps about 383 gallons of water per hour which makes it a powerful canister filter in this list.
you can use this canister filter for freshwater and saltwater aquarium as well.
This canister filter comes with a unique square-shaped design that can hold 30 to 50% more water than a round canister filter of similar size.
This canister filter is an update for a successful Fluval’s 05 canister filter series.
The Fluval 406 features an Aquastop valve that is very easy to put in place.
It also comes with a flow controller attached to the valve.
It also comes with hose nuts that prevent hosing from coming off.
This canister filter does not have rotating valves which is quite inconvenient if you want to fit it into a tight aquarium compartment.
Also, this canister filter doesn’t come with a spray bar that helps to distribute water along the surface of the water. This feature is useful if you have delicate fish like Betta.
The new Fluval 406 also features a new impeller cover. Basically, they have added more caustic dampening material to it that helps to reduce the noise.
It also has an updated priming system that is quicker than the old one.
It comes with easy snap-lock lift clamps which keeps everything in place.
This canister filter comes with 3 large media baskets filled with media for chemical, mechanical and biological filtration.
You can customize the media according to your needs.
It has has a complex cleansing part which maximizes the water contact with the filtration media resulting in better filtration.
Customers are happy with the performance of this canister filter some customers also complained that it is a bit noisy.
Pros
- Powerful
- Easy routine cleaning
- Instant prime
- Flow controller
Cons
- Noisy
- No spray bar
Price
Check latest price and customer reviews at Amazon here
Conclusion
If you are looking for a powerful canister filter from a well-known brand then Fluval external filter is ideal for you.
2. Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filter 1000
Check latest price at Amazon here
If you are looking for a canister filter with all the essential features like a spray bar and large priming button then Penn-Plax Cascade 1000 canister filter is ideal for you.
You can use this canister filter for aquarium up to 100 gallon and it pumps about 265 gallons of water per hour.
You can use this canister filter for saltwater and freshwater aquarium.
This canister filter comes with 360 degree rotating flow valves that help it to fit into a tight aquarium compartment.
It comes with three large media baskets that are pre-filled with media for physical, chemical and biological filtration.
You can customize the media according to your needs.
This canister filter also comes with a large priming button that makes priming very easy.
It also comes with an airtight seal that ensures proper water flow rate and it also helps to reduce the noise.
At the bottom, it has a rubber mounted tip-proof base that keeps the canister filter in place.
Additionally, this canister filter also comes with a spray bar that helps to distribute the water flow along the surface of the water.
This filter is useful especially if you have delicate fish.
Customers are happy with the performance of this canister filter. Some users also found that it is a bit noisy.
Pros
- Sturdy
- 360 Rotating flow valves
- Flow controller
- Large filter tray
- Spray bar
Cons
- Noisy
Price
Check the latest price at Amazon here
Conclusion
So if you are looking for a canister filter from a well-known brand and comes with all the features like a spray bar and a large priming button then Penn Plax Cascade 1000 is ideal for you.
3. EHEIM Classic External Canister Filter
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If you are looking for a reliable and simple to use canister filter then this canister filter is ideal for you.
You can use this canister filter for aquariums up to 92 gallon and it pumps about 164 gallons of water per hour.
It is a pretty old canister filter but many hobbyists still appreciate it for its filtration and ease of use.
As this is is an old canister filter it lacks some new features like the priming button that makes priming easy.
Also, it doesn’t come with separate media basket trays.
This canister filter comes with filter media for chemical, mechanical and biological filtration.
As this canister filter doesn’t come with separate media baskets so it does not have a water bypass.
Over the period the media will get saturated and it may reduce the water flow.
But if you keep up with the maintenance of this canister filter then you can easily avoid this problem.
You can customize the media according to your needs.
It also comes with a flow controller.
And it also comes with a spray bar that helps you to distribute the water flow along the surface of the water.
This is also one of the quiet and energy-efficient canister filters available.
Overall it is a very simple and easy to use canister filter.
Users are happy with this canister filter. As this canister filter doesn’t come with a priming button and separate media baskets, it makes it quite inconvenient.
Pros
- Reliable
- Quiet
- Energy efficient
- Flow controller
- Spray bar
Cons
- No priming button
- No filter media trays
Price
Check latest price and customer reviews at Amazon here
Conclusion
If you are looking for a quiet, energy-efficient canister filter then this filter is ideal for you.
4. Hydor Professional External Canister Filter
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If you are looking for a powerful canister filter with all the essential features then this canister filter is ideal for you.
You can use this canister filter for aquariums from 60-100 gallon and it pumps about 280 gallons of water per hour.
This is a well-built canister filter and it comes with a nice set of instructions on its packaging.
This canister filter comes with front and side lock clamps that makes unlocking the motor housing easy.
It comes with a ceramic impeller shaft that ensures its long life.
The water flow valves are rotating that will help you to fit it into tight compartments.
This canister filter also comes with a spray bar and water flow controller.
This canister filter comes with 3 large media baskets pre-filled with media for mechanical and biological filtration.
It also comes with a large priming button that makes priming very easy.
Also, it is one of the quiet filters.
At the bottom, it has rubber feet that help to reduce the noise.
Customers are happy with the filtration of this filter. Some customers also found that its replacement parts are quite expensive.
Pros
- 360 rotating valves
- Ceramic impeller shaft
- Quiet
- Spray bar
- Priming button
- Flow controller
Cons
- Expensive parts
Price
Check latest price and customer reviews at Amazon here
Conclusion
If you are looking for a quiet canister filter with all the features like large priming button, spray bar, etc then this filter is ideal for you.
FAQ
How does a canister filter work?
Canister filter pulls out water from the aquarium through a tube into an external filter or canister (that’s why canister filters are also called as external filters).
The filter contains different media for chemical, mechanical and biological filtration.
The water is passed through these media and then the filtered water is pumped back into the aquarium.
Can a canister filter sit next to the tank?
Yes, you can put the canister filter next to the tank. But putting the canister filter below the tank is recommended.
This is because of gravity. If the tank is below the aquarium then it will be easy to fill up the canister filter with water.
But putting canister filter next to the tank is also fine just make sure that the inlet and outlet valves are not above the tank.
Can a canister filter be used for saltwater?
Definitely, you can use a canister filter for saltwater aquariums.
Fluval has actually mentioned that the Fluval external canister filter can be used for freshwater as well as saltwater aquariums.
Can I use a canister filter with sand?
You can use a canister filter in the aquarium containing sand.
Though it is not advisable and even Fluval doesn’t recommend to use canister filter in the aquariums containing sand.
Though some people still use Fluval canister filters in the aquariums with sand and it is just working fine.
How to clean a canister filter?
How often should I clean the canister filter?
It really depends on how messy your fish tank is. Cleaning the canister filter after every 2 to 3 months is a good idea. Though some people also clean their canister filter every 6 months.
