A good aquarium filter will keep your aquarium healthy. However, finding the right filter might require a bit of time and work.
With so many options on the market, selecting the right filter for your specific aquarium size and type of fish can be a daunting task.
In this article I will explain why a filter is important and suggest the top five options for a 30 gallon aquarium.
Why do you need an aquarium filter?
A filter is essential for maintaining a healthy aquarium. The most critical component of the filter is the biomedia. It’s where good bacteria grow and live, helping to keep the water clean and safe for fish.
You likely understand that good bacteria are important for managing the waste fish produce. A filter without biomedia wouldn’t be able to cope with the waste produced by fish.
You need a lot of space for these helpful bacteria to live and grow. Biomedia are typically different kinds of porous materials with lots of tiny spaces where the good bacteria can thrive.
You can use different types of biomedia like sintered glass, ceramics or plastic balls covered with grooves.
Well, you’ve got the biomedia all set up, and the good bacteria have started to grow on it and what happens after that?
Beneficial bacteria in fish tank help breaks down fish waste and turns it into harmless substances through the nitrogen cycle.
This cycle is crucial for keeping the water safe and is a continuous process, not just something that happens when you first set up the tank.
When you first set up an aquarium, beneficial bacteria need a few weeks to establish. The nitrogen cycle functions properly only when the bacteria in the filter are fully grown.
Let me briefly explain and remind you how important the nitrogen cycle is and how it works.
Fish produce waste, which remains in the water and starts to decompose. As it breaks down, it releases ammonia, a toxic for your tank.
Beneficial bacteria in the water consume this ammonia and convert it into nitrites, which are still harmful.
Another type of beneficial bacteria quickly transforms nitrites into nitrates. Nitrates are much less harmful than ammonia or nitrites.
The nitrogen cycle is always happening. Because of this cycle, it’s possible for the fish tank to stay healthy even if you don’t change the water for a while.
But be aware, if you don’t change the water for a long time, it might lead to other issues like algae growth and diseases.
Top 5 30-gallon aquarium filters reviewed
AquaClear 50 Power Filter
AquaClear 50 Power Filter, Fish Tank Filter for 20- to 50-Gallon Aquariums
The AquaClear filter is suitable for tanks up to 30 gallons, such as shrimp tanks. It offers several benefits and drawbacks.
AquaClear 50 Power Filter features a spacious compartment that allows large room for a variety of biomedia.
It comes with activated carbon, which can be swapped out for different biomedia if desired.
AquaClear 50 includes a large, reusable sponge for mechanical filtration. This filter is designed for easy maintenance, with straightforward access to the rotor and a handle for media removal.
For extra safety, there’s an option to add a sponge pre-filter to protect the shrimp.
The design of this filter lets you use different types of filter media, so you can adjust it to suit what you need for your tank.
One common issue with this filter is that it can be hard to get it started again if the water level is below the intake tube. This is a problem that’s often seen with many Hang Over the Back (HOB) filters, so it’s something to remember.
Another problem could be the impeller might not start again. This could happen because there’s gunk on the impeller shaft or magnet. Good cleaning it usually helps.
Sometimes, the impeller could become stuck. If this happens, all you need to do is unplug the filter, empty out the water from it, take out the impeller, and give it a thorough cleaning to remove any blockages.
Although there might be issues with the impeller sometimes, the filter is dependable because I’ve always managed to restart it when it stops working.
But, it can be frustrating when you’ve just changed the water and the filter needs extra help to start working again.
If you want the filter to work even better, it’s a good idea to get one that’s a bit bigger than what you currently need. This is a helpful tip that can make the filter work more efficiently.
Pros:
- effective filtration
- easy to clean and maintain
- resilience in operation
- can be adjusted for fry and shrimp
Cons:
- may have issues with priming if the water level drops too low
- impeller needs regular cleaning to function properly
- risk of motor burnout if the impeller gets stuck
Seachem Tidal Power Aquarium Filter
Seachem Tidal Power Aquarium Filter – 35 Gallon Large Fish Tank Filter
This filter is definitely one of the best out there. It has a big space where you can put different kinds of filter media like biomedia, chemical, or mechanical media.
You can pick which ones work best for you and adjust them easily.
Seachem Tidal filter for your aquarium has an internal motor inside the main part of the tank, which comes with its own benefits.
First, you don’t need to fill the filter with water or worry about filling it to get the pump going.
Since the pump is already in the water, it starts working right away. Even if there’s a problem, the filter will restart on its own.
Plus, when you change the water in the aquarium, you don’t need to manually suck in water – the filter takes care of it for you.
It’s important to mention that the motors inside the filter are a lot quieter compared to the ones outside. This is definitely a bonus, especially if your tank is in a small room.
Overall, the filter’s design is great, but it does have a few downsides.
One major downside is that the motor is super strong and might suck up small shrimp or fry.
Since there’s no lift tube, you can’t attach a sponge pre-filter to keep your fish from getting sucked in.
Unfortunately, you can’t disable the surface skimmer on this filter. That means shrimp, fry and tiny fish might get sucked into the filter, which could kill them.
Here’s something interesting: the surface skimmer not only sucks in your fish, but also anything on the water’s surface, like flakes and floating pellets.
It’s annoying because when you put food in, the fish don’t get a chance to eat before it’s sucked away. Any uneaten food ends up rotting in the filter making the water dirty.
Pros:
- Large biomedia chamber
- Self-priming capability
- Quiet operation
- Auto-restart function
Cons:
- Non-adjustable surface skimmer
- Waste accumulation from uneaten food
- Not shrimp or fry friendly
Fluval C4 Power Filter
Fluval C4 Power Filter, Fish Tank Filter for Aquariums up to 70 Gal.
This filter works really well, and I think a lot of you will like it. But before you decide, there are a few things to keep in mind.
The Fluval 4 filter has upright filters and easy-to-remove compartments for different stuff.
C3 is organized in a structured way with separate compartments for each type of filter media.
However, the Fluval 4 has handy finger grips on each compartment, making it super easy to take them out for cleaning and maintenance.
This filter has a tray with carbon inside. I think it’s a good idea to replace the carbon with biological media because it helps good bacteria grow, which is healthy for the fish tank.
I tried using this filter for a bit. The water in the tank turned cloudy when I first started using it, but after several days, the cloudiness disappeared and the water became very clear.
It’s a good idea to rinse the filter before using it, or you can wait for it to clear the water on its own.
Well, this filter is super quiet. All you’ll hear is the soft sound of water flowing smoothly through the filter, just like a calm stream in the forest.
So, no need to worry about any loud noises. Fluval C4 does its job quietly in the background.
Before you use the filter, make sure to fill the box with water. This step is crucial because the filter needs to be filled and powered on to self-prime, which takes about a minute.
If the water level goes down to just above the bottom of the U-shaped tube, when you do a water change, you’ll have to add more water to help the filter start up again by itself.
Whenever you refill the tank, it’s a good idea to add water to the filter box so that the filter can self-prime when you plug it back in.
This filter is really well-designed. The different parts fit together nicely, showing good planning. I usually trust fluval products a lot. They’re popular everywhere for a reason!
Pros:
- Large reusable mechanical filtration
- Easy maintenance
- Quiet operation
Cons:
- Size limitations
- Not enough space for biomedia
Marineland Magniflow Canister Filter 220 GPH
Marineland Magniflow Canister Filter for Aquariums, Fast Maintenance
This is a completely different model than other filters because it is a canister filter. It’s the first suggestion for a canister filter for a 30-gallon aquarium.
Canister filters have a strong water flow, so they’re great for fish that enjoy that. I’ve never used this type of filter before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
I haven’t used this filter in any of my fish tanks, but I got to see how it operates. Setting up the filter is easy, and it only takes about half an hour to get it fully working.
Even someone who doesn’t know much about filters or fish care shouldn’t have any trouble putting it together.
Before starting the filter, fill the canister with water. Generally, the instructions do not say to fill the canister with water, but only to prime it. Filling the filter with water will help you avoid air bubbles.
The filter comes with a prime button, but I want to mention that pressing it was quite tough. I had to push really hard to get the water flowing into the filter.
I need to be straightforward here. The tubes mounting the tank are very poor. They are made of plastic.
Especially It only has one suction cup outside to keep it in place.
The tubing is so stiff that it is difficult to manipulate, which makes it difficult to place with a suction cup.
The way the media is packed in the filter is really smart. Each type of media has its own shelf, making it easy to use. Plus, they offer a lot of different media options.
The filter is very easy to clean and maintain. When it’s set up correctly, the water in the aquarium stays super clean.
Pros:
- Effective water clarity
- Ease of setup
- Budget friendly
Cons:
- Physical effort required for priming
- Potential for minor leaks during maintenance
Fluval 207 Perfomance Canister Filter
Fluval 207 Perfomance Canister Filter – for Aquariums Up to 45 Gallons – Aquarium Canister Filter
I really like using canister filters, especially the Fluval 207, because it’s easy to handle. This filter uses a different kind of pull mechanism that’s simpler than the typical prime button.
Although it comes with many parts, putting it together is surprisingly straightforward.
A neat feature is the latch that lets you remove both the inlet and outlet hoses at the same time.
Cleaning the filter is pretty straightforward since you can quickly take out each basket, and there’s plenty of room for whatever filter media you choose.
I think the biomedia bio media that comes with it isn’t good for helpful bacteria to grow on. It’s better for me to use a more porous material that’ll work better. So, I got some different filter bio media instead.
Fluval 207 is also compact enough to fit in a small cabinet, but make sure to check its size before buying.
While it runs quietly, it’s not the quietest filter I’ve used. Still, it’s great for a 30-gallon tank.
One downside is that you can’t adjust the flow of the filter separately at the inlet and outlet.
If you change one, you have to change the other, which can be inconvenient if you’re trying to minimize water movement.
Also, the inlet and outlet pipes that come with the Fluval are a bit stiff and hard to work with.
When you turn up the flow to the highest level, you need to be careful because the suction is really strong. It can suck in small fish or even bigger ones through the outlet pipe, which makes it tricky to get the flow just right.
Even so, it’s one of my top filters and works great for a 30-gallon fish tank.
Pros:
- Effective Filtration
- Quiet Operation
- Easy Maintenance
- Not too expensive
Cons:
- Hose Placement
- The flow rate cannot be adjusted separately
Which one is best?
The filter you choose really depends on your individual setup. You have to ask yourself what creatures you want to have in your aquarium.
If you would like to keep shrimp in your aquarium, I would definitely choose the AquaClear filter.
It is safe even for the smallest creatures and is easy to maintain. Moreover, you can easily install a sponge pre-filter on it.
If you want to keep a large number of fish, I would without a doubt choose the Marineland canister filter.
You can put lots of biomedia in it and obtain very effective filtration. Even with a heavy bioload in the fish tank, you don’t have to worry about the water quality.
I can also recommend the fluval 207 filter which I use in my tank. However, it’s important to note that it has a strong flow rate, so it may not be suitable for calm fish that prefer still waters.
In conclusion
I hope the above article helped you choose the right filter for your 30-gallon aquarium.
Remember that there is no perfect filter. You may appreciate certain features in one filter and entirely different aspects in another.
Each of the filters mentioned above will keep the water in your aquarium clean.
However, you need to think about what functions will be most important to you.
