So you have bought your 20 gallon aquarium. What’s next?
If you plan on keeping fish, you need a water filter – and not just any filter. There are a few things to think about to ensure that you choose the best filter for a 20-gallon tank. There are different types which will discuss along with the power you need to look for.
Having a water filter is essential as it breaks down toxic waste products and makes the water safe. Luckily for you, we have put together this short blog rounding up the best filter for a 20 gallon tank.
If you want to give your fish the best start in life, we recommend reading on.
Here are the leading champions for a 20 gallon fish tank:
- Seachem Tidal Power Aquarium Filter – 35 Gallon Large Fish Tank Filter
- EHEIM Classic External Canister Filter with Media
- Aqueon Quietflow E Internal Power Filter
- Aquarium Technology, Inc. Hydro-Sponge Filter
- Marineland Magniflow Canister Filter for Aquariums, Fast Maintenance
Table of Contents
Filter types
Now you know the reasons why you need a filter for a 20 gallon fish tank. Let’s talk about the different types of filters you can choose for your aquarium.
There are the hang on back filter (HOB), the internal filter, and the canister filter. Each filter is excellent in its own way, but if you want to choose the best filter for a 20 gallon tank, you need to know which is right for your needs.
Hang on Back Filter (HOB)
This is the best product for those who are seeking something a little easier. As the name says, you simply clip it onto the back of your aquarium.
The water is drawn into a lift tube and place into a special chamber containing filter media pieces. Once the water has been pushed through and cleaned, it is then pumped back into the tank.
Depending on the type of filter media, this product can do biological, mechanical, and chemical filtering.
Internal Filter
Once again, you will probably guess where this filter sits from its name. Entirely submerged within your aquarium, it cleans the water inside your tank by drawing it through a series of bacteria-rich course sponges.
The benefit of this type of filter is that it is great for your home décor as you can place your tank wherever you’d like without the thought of where an external filter would sit.
The downside to these is the filter is within the tank, taking up water space.
It should be noted that they are best recommended for smaller tanks – a 20 gallon aquarium is well suited.
Canister Filter
Lastly, we have the canister filter. Like the HOB it cleans your aquarium with a series of pressurized filters that clean the water before placing it back into the tank.
The main section of this filter sits external to the tank. This will mean additional space is needed, often housed beneath the tank. However, canister filters generally have the highest performance cleaning job due to their process. The addition of the pressurized filter media allows for a cleaner water supply.
To find the best filter for 20 gallon tank, you need to select the correct power for your aquarium. This ensures that you get a better clean and your fish can grow in the most desirable environment.
Benefits of a filter and what to look out for
By now, you will know that the best way to care for your fish is to get a filter suited for their 20 gallon fish tank.
For you to select the best filter for a 20 gallon tank, you need to have the right size for your tank. The rule is usually that your filter should be enough of a size to pass your whole aquarium water four times in one hour (https://whypetfish.com/how-to-determine-filter-size-for-aquarium/)
You need to consider your budget and fish living space. What are your stocking levels? What is your water circulation like? How easy is it to clean and use the filter that you are considering?
These are all questions that should be in the back of your mind when researching your tank filter.
Filter Reviews for 20 Gallon Tanks
Now is the time to discuss our choices for the best filter for a 20 gallon tank. We have chosen five to give you a good overview of the spectrum of filters you have available to you.
Seachem Tidal Power Aquarium Filter – 35 Gallon Large Fish Tank Filter
This fully adjustable filter enables you to oxygenize and maintain the ideal water supply.
We certainly have started off with an all-round fantastic product for your 20 gallon fish tank.
As well as an adjustable intake flow, it also offers flow regulation whereby it adjusts the performance for specific aquarium volumes. This means that your fish will get the best environment that they desire.
Pros
- Nice and quiet for any living environment
- The surface skimmer removes any excess dirt and oils
- It creates the optimum environment for your fish
Cons
- Smaller fish (e.g., shrimp) could get caught in the lift tube
- There is no way to disable the surface skimmer
EHEIM Classic External Canister Filter with Media
A canister filter for 20 gallon tank offers flexibility for biological, mechanical, chemical, and absorptive filtration.
The best way to describe this product is adaptable. The flow rate has been calculated to balance mechanical/biological filtration and water/oxygen circulation.
The product comes with several accessories such as a spray bar, inlet pipe, and installation accessories.
Pros
- Offers you flexibility in your filtration needs
- The filter is made to be energy efficient, giving you the best flow rate on less power
- Terrific for low sound, meaning you can place the tank anywhere in your home
Cons
- Cleaning the product can be difficult, but this is something you perfect over time
Aqueon Quietflow E Internal Power Filter
This easy-to-use filter is economical, efficient and can be used on frameless or framed aquariums.
Let’s discuss this power filter for a 20 gallon tank. As well as providing you with an economical vertical-oriented internal filter, it also aids chemical, biological, and mechanical filtration.
It requires no priming at all (we can hear the cheers from here!) and restarts if the power pump is interrupted.
Pros
- It is extremely easy to install, using suction cups and hanging clips
- No priming required
- It is flexible for your filtration needs
Cons
- The intake grill is large enough for some small fish to fit through
Aquarium Technology, Inc. Hydro-Sponge Filter
This sponge filter hooks up directly to your powerhead or pump.
The soft foam filters across a wide surface area, creating bubbles to reduce protein build-up. It’s ideal for breeding or turtle tanks.
You need to ensure that your 20 gallon fish tank has the best atmosphere for your fish to thrive in. That’s why this sponge filter offers you a product that is both quiet and easy to clean. All you need to do is simply rinse and squeeze in used tank water to maintain the nitrogen-fixing bacteria!
Pros
- You can fast cycle a tank by transferring a filter sponge from old to new
- It’s easy to clean and use
- Can be used for freshwater and saltwater fish
Cons
- Can ruin the look of your fish tank due to its appearance
Marineland Magniflow Canister Filter for Aquariums, Fast Maintenance
This filter comes with both a polishing filter pad and bio-filter balls to provide you with a fresh, clean tank.
To create the best environment for your fish, the debris and dirt need to be removed. This product fills the filter chamber with water for a self-priming start-up.
Pros
- Marineland pride itself on giving the best customer service, so if you need guidance or parts, this is a reputable company
- The tank provides you with multiple ways to ensure your tank is clean, from filter pads to biofilter pads
Cons
- The product itself is large, so it can be difficult to fit under cabinets or within areas of your home
Conclusion:
The question to ask now is: Which filter is best for my 20 gallon aquarium? We have rounded up some of the top products in the aquarium world. All that’s left is to choose.
- FLOW REGULATION: The fully adjustable flow regulation feature on the Tidal Power Filter adjusts performance to a specific aquarium volume, type, or provide an environment for fish that prefer more or less water movement or oxygenation. Adjust the dial from anywhere between 450 gallons per hour down to a gentle 90 gallons per hour.
- SURFACE SKIMMER: The surface skimmer on the Tidal Power Filter will capture the water from just below the surface, where excreted fish oils accumulate, as well as deeper in the tank to remove floating debris.
- ADJUSTABLE INTAKE FLOW: With Tidal’s dual intake, it pulls water in through the telescoping pipe below the surface and at the surface through the surface skimmer. Easily adjust how much flow comes from the underwater intake pipe versus the surface skimmer with the intake flow dial.
- HEATER HOLDER: A heater can be attached to the side of the Tidal Power Filter with an optional heater clip, allowing for better dispersal of heated water throughout your tank or aquarium.
- MAINTENANCE ALERT: When filtration media becomes clogged with detritus and affects the flow of water, the Tidal Power Filter redirects water around the filter and back into the aquarium through an outlet on the side. The redirected water then pushed up the blue maintenance alert on the top of the filter, signaling that the filter needs to be cleaned.
Last update on 2024-04-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
In our opinion, the stand out option is the Seachem Tidal Power Aquarium Filter as it is flexible and adaptable to your needs. With the flow regulation options and surface skimmer feature, you can care for your fish, whatever their environment needs to be
Do you have any questions? What would your top pick be? We welcome your thoughts and questions in the comments.
