Filters: Compare and Choose the Right Canister Filter for Your Aquarium

Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff

Quiet, convenient canister filters are inconspicuously located under your aquarium (typically in
the stand). Most canister filters are customizable, and can hold a large amount of media
(mechanical, chemical, and biological) in varying combinations. Some examples are included in
the table below. Because they are customizable, you have maximum flexibility in choosing the
predominant type, and amount of media to achieve your desired end result.
If your fish produce excessive amounts of waste, incorporate a large amount of
mechanical media (filter pads of varying coarseness) to effectively remove waste from
the water.
If your fish require sparkling water with stable, consistent parameters, use larger
amounts of chemical media (carbons and resins).
If your fish consistently produce very high levels of ammonia, which require daily
control, make biological media (such as ceramic rings and sponges) your predominant media.

Media is basically interchangeable between canister filters. However, when using any fine media, make sure it is in a media bag, or it may
enter and destroy the filter's impeller.
Canister filter/aquarium size recommendations are often given in a range. The low end of the range indicates the maximum aquarium size
effectively filtered when the aquarium contains large or high numbers of saltwater or freshwater fish. The high end of the range indicates
maximum aquarium size effectively filtered when the aquarium has a small population of fish and a low bio load.

Compare Canister Filters

Media Included with Filter

Aquarium Flow Frequency Aquarist
Size Rate Mechanical Biological Chemical of Expertise
(gallons) (gph) Maintenance Level
Beginner
H.O.T. Very
30-50 250 None* Effective Monthly to
Magnum effective
proficient
Magnum
Very Proficient
350, 350 40-100 350 None* Effective Monthly
effective to expert
Deluxe
Very Proficient
ViaAqua 70-150 315 Effective None Monthly
effective to expert
Beginner
Eheim Very Very
35-80 127-185 Effective Monthly to
ECCO effective effective
proficient
Extremely Extremely Proficient
Eheim Plus 66-159 116-264 Effective 3-6 months
effective effective to expert
Eheim Depending
Proficient
Large <400 500 None None None on media, up
to expert
Canister to 6 months
Depends on
which media
Eheim Pro <100 or 250 or Proficient
None None None is used and
II** <160 275 to expert
how it is
packed
Fluval Very Very Very Proficient
25-100 125-340 Monthly
Multi-Stage effective effective effective to expert

Filters: Compare and Choose the Right Canister Filter for Your Aquarium - Page 1 of 2
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 Extremely Very Proficient
Rena FilStar <175 350 None Monthly
effective effective to expert
Every 6-9
Eheim months or Proficient
90-160 145 None None None
Wet/Dry*** when flow to expert
decreases
* = Upgrading to a Pro System provides excellent biological filtration
** = Heater models for freshwater aquariums only
*** = Designed for bio-filtration with Ehfisubstrat filter media, highly porous material for
settling bacteria

Filters: Compare and Choose the Right Canister Filter for Your Aquarium - Page 2 of 2
Unauthorized use of any images, thumbnails, illustrations, descriptions, article content, or registered trademarks of Foster & Smith, Inc. is strictly
prohibited under copyright law. Site content, including photography, descriptions, pricing, promotions, and availability are subject to change without
notice. These restrictions are necessary in order to protect not only our copyrighted intellectual property, but also the health of pets, since articles or
images that are altered or edited after download could result in misinformation that may harm companion animals, aquatic life, or native species.