Do you love goldfish? Are you thinking of having a goldfish aquarium at home? Have you seen how dirty these things can get? If you have never had an aquarium before, let me tell you that keeping it clean is a lot of hassle. You don’t need to call off the idea of buying an aquarium. You don’t need to worry. If you still want to have one, I am here with a perfect solution for you. The best fish tank filter can solve this problem by keeping the water clean.
A clean and healthy environment is essential as it not only looks good but also for the health of your goldfish. If you have had a goldfish before, then you will fully know how much waste these tiny ones can produce. No matter how many times you change the water, it will be of no use. There is a wide variety of fish tank filters out there. Choosing the most suitable one for your fish tank might not be easy. I can save you from this hassle of finding. All you have to do is to go through this article.
The canister filter is the best for goldfish tanks. It is specially designed for high purification. This feature makes it the ultimate filter for your goldfish tank, as goldfishes are known for producing large amounts of waste. Goldfish is a freshwater fish. The lifespan of goldfish decreases if they are not provided with a clean environment. Here I have the best filter for your goldfish tank. So, keep reading.
1. Fluval Performance Canister Filter – Best Filter For Goldfish
Fluval performance canister filter has an advanced design and technology, making it the best canister filter for goldfish tanks. A tremendous amount of waste can be cleaned out effectively only by a good performance fish tank filter. The Fluval performance tank is an Italian product. It is user-friendly and saves you from the difficult task of cleaning the tank manually.
Fluval performance filter has many premium features that allow it to work efficiently. It has a self-priming pump as it is placed below the tank, and the water fills in the cavity due to gravity. This increases the pump’s efficiency so, all you have to do is add water to the pump, and it will take care of the rest. The inlet is very versatile. It has a telescopic stem and an anti-clog strainer, which filter out the marine life and the smaller fishes from entering the filter.
It has a large bio-media capacity which provides sufficient area for the beneficial bacteria to get attached. These bacterias break down the toxic waste to not contaminate the water. It needs to be pumped manually at first, but once it has started, then it can work on its own. There is a utility valve and hosing that facilitates changing water and draining the dirty water.
The valves have a click fit which makes the pipes leak-proof and easier to assemble. It also has a double-sided nozzle that allows two-sided water output. You can add a foam filter on the inlet so the filter does not clog with the large debris. It is large, so you can add many bio balls, which will give more area for the beneficial bacteria to grow on. It also has rubber feet which reduces vibration.
Drawbacks
The biggest drawback of the filter is the motor in it which stops working automatically after a few months.
I love this item because it’s great quality and it was delivered very fast.
What do we like?
Three-years warranty
Three-stage filtration
Works for freshwater and saltwater
Self Priming
Quieter
What don’t we like?
High prices
Cannot integrate with a heater
Our Verdict
The Fluval performance canister filter is good quality and high-performance filter. It is most suitable for indoor use. The canister filter needs to be placed below, so it doesn’t seem to ruin your aquarium’s look. It will help you in maintaining a clean and healthy environment. This performance filter is one of the best filters for goldfish aquarium tanks as it is less noisy and has high purification abilities.
#TIP: This filter has rubber feet that help ensure quiet operation.
2. Penn-Plax Aquarium Canister Filter – Best Tank Filter For Goldfish
The Penn-Plax aquarium filter has a canister filter style. It has a very effortless design and work. There are three levels of filtration. Penn-Plax is a well-known company in the field of pet products. This canister filter works powerfully. This filter comes with a whole set of cascade filter kits that have all the things you will ever need to take care of the aquarium.
Penn-Plax aquarium cascade canister filter is a fantastic filter. It has a filtering capacity of up to 150 gallons, which means that this filter can purify 150 gallons of water per hour, making it best for creating a non-toxic environment for your goldfish. It is a self-priming filter as you can start it by pressing a single button. It does not include arduous setup and functioning.
It has filter trays and sponges to glitter out the waste materials. These filter trays give you the space for increasing your bio media capacity. The kit includes bio-floss pads, pro-carbon media, bio- rings, and bio media sponge. These sponges filter the waste materials as well as the toxic impurities. The bio-floss pad helps it stain out the small particles in the water. The pro-carbon media removes the toxins from the water by breaking them down.
These sponges also act as sites for the production of beneficial bacteria. It has a trip-proof base with rubber feet which reduces noise and gives it more grip. You don’t need to clean this filter for up to one to two months. The kit will help you in cleaning and setting up this filter. You don’t need particular skills or equipment. Everything you need is in the kit. It has two 360-degree rotating valve taps, so it is easy to adjust. Unlike the Fluval performance canister filter, it controls the water flow through valves. Many also complained that the instructions contained therein were not right. So for your convenience, I have provided the video below. This video will help you to set up the filter.
Drawbacks
The filter worked very well for a couple of months but then it started to cause a lot of problems.
Highly recommend to anyone. We have a 75 gallon freshwater tank and it keeps it spotless. It is extremely quiet and was very easy to set up. Will buy again if we get another tank.
What do we like?
Swimming pool style hose clamp
Large filter trays
Maintenance kit
Efficient purification
What don’t we like?
Unflattering look
No proper instructions
Our Verdict
If you don’t have much experience regarding aquariums and their maintenance, it is the best filter. It does not require much maintenance and comes with all the necessary tools. You don’t have to clean it weekly. You can control the water flow and can adjust it to your needs. It is the best filter for goldfish having such unique features in such a reasonable time.
3. OASE Indoor Aquatics Biomaster Thermo – Best Filter For Goldfish Tank
It is a heavy filter. It weighs around 12 pounds. There is a handle, so it will be easier to lift. The unique feature is four filtration systems, mechanical, chemical, biological, and prefiltration. So, it has the highest filtration so far. The three trays include foam and filter floss. The grid above these trays has more expansive spaces, so little fishes or baby shrimps may not get stuck in the trays.
The most fantastic feature is that it has a built-in heater that helps you maintain a suitable temperature environment for the goldfish. You don’t need to buy one separately. The heaters you buy separately may not look nice, But the OASE Indoor Biomaster Thermo has a unique feature because it can hold the heater inside the filter. There are four clamps on the powerhead to secure it from opening.
The powerhead has the space for the prefilter and the input and the output. There are three filter trays in it. The prefilter is a long tube-like structure with circular tube-like foams. The most suitable foam is the 60 PPI which has more pores to trap the wastes. These foams used in prefilters are very easy to clean and are reusable. This filter has a flow regulator so that you can adjust it according to your own choice.
Drawbacks
This filter is amazing but it has some air purging problems.
Super easy to clean and quiet. The build quality is exceptional.
What do we like?
Integrated heater
Three years warranty
Easy to clean
Handle to lift
Four-stage filtration
What don’t we like?
Heavy
Expensive
Mostly unavailable in stores
Our Verdict
OASE Indoor Aquatics Biomaster Thermo is a versatile filter as it has four levels of filtration and an integrated heater so you can get the best of both worlds in one. It filters the water and regulates the temperature. So you can use this filter to create a perfect environment for the goldfish. Goldfish is a freshwater fish, so it needs clear water and a healthy environment. A goldfish needs an optimum temperature of 23 degrees celsius, which can be maintained by the heater, especially in the cold season.
#TIP: This filter has a built-in heater that helps you maintain a suitable temperature.
4. SUNSUN Aquarium UV Sterilizer Canister Filter – Best Fish Tank Filter For Goldfish
The SUNSUN aquarium UV sterilizer canister filter is an outstanding filter for goldfish tanks. You will love it if you want something good under a specific budget. This canister filter offers you many unique features that are far better than many other expensive filters on the market. It has a UV light sterilizer which makes it stand out.
SUNSUN Aquarium sterilizer Canister filter has a sound purification system with three media trays that you can fill with any Biomedia of your choice. These trays are stacked one over the other, so the water goes through each of these trays. There is no partition between these trays to have a separate water flow. There is a green Hose along with this filter to easily see the impurities.
There is a special UV light sterilizer that helps in killing the bacteria and parasites that may be there in the tank water. These bacterias and parasites may damage the health of your fish. The UV light is attached to the powerhead internally. If you don’t want to use it, which will not be a genius, you can use the switch.
The UV light has a separate switch, so you can still turn the switch off even if the filter is working. It does not require cleaning more often. You can clean it after three months also. But cleaning all three trays is not as difficult as it seems. It has a flow rate of 370 GPH. It is most suitable for tanks with a 100-gallon capacity.
It’s was very easy to set up. Materials could be better (in comparison to Eheim) but it definitely does the job and provides great value for money. It is quiet, has very powerful water flow, and the UV lamp helps with controlling the algae (aquarium is sitting next to a window). Would buy again.
What do we like?
UV light
Easy to clean
Three media trays
Affordable
What don’t we like?
No separation for water
See-through hose
Our Verdict
SUNSUN Aquarium UV Sterilizer Canister Filter is the best goldfish tank filter. What else can one wish for? You can have such unique features at such an affordable price. If your goldfish often gets infections, then it is more suitable to use. The UV light will keep the water clean and microbe-free. Then you don’t have to worry about your goldfish’s health.
5. Aqueon Quietflow Canister Filters – Best Aquarium Filter For Goldfish
The Aqueon Quietflow canister filters are one of the best combinations of affordable price and good specifications. It is used for tanks that have a capacity of 155 gallons. This Aqueon filter is designed for both types of aquariums. So, even if you want to add some other fish to your tank other than the goldfish in the future, you don’t have to replace your filter.
It is available in three sizes that are 200, 300, and 400 GPH. It includes preloaded baskets for multi-stage filtration. The media trays are already filled. It has a mechanical filtration of sponge, and the other two trays have biological filtrations. These two media trays give you more area for the growth of beneficial bacteria. It has pump head locking clips and quick disconnect valves. It also has the traditional water return methods, including a water director, spray bar, and polishing unit.
The most remarkable feature of the Aqueon quiet flow canister filter is the water polishing unit. It is a unique hang on the back of the tank. This water polishing unit makes the routine maintenance of the canister filter easier. This hangs on the back design and holds a replaceable carbon cartridge. This unit reduces how often the content of the media trays needs to be replaced. It serves as the last filtration stage before water is returned to the aquarium. It catches even more debris from the water.
Drawbacks
Some users have complained about noise and priming in the filter.
Great filter. Using on a 110 Gallon Tank. Super quiet. Easy to put together.
What do we like?
Water polishing unit
Traditional water return method
Suitable for both aquarium
Multi-stage filtration
What don’t we like?
Short warranty
No handle to carry
Our Verdict
Aqueon Quietflow Canister Filters is one of the most uncomplicated and user-friendly filters. You will love this if you like the nice flow effect on your water tank. These filters come with bio media for the trays, so you don’t have to buy them separately. The water polishing unit makes the water super clear. More biological filtration in ceramic rings and bio-balls provides more space for beneficial microbes to grow.
6. EHEIM External Aquarium Canister Filter – Best Filter For Small Goldfish Tank
EHEIM External Aquarium Canister Filter is inspired by the old classic canister design. Its features also resemble the original filter. It has a simple and minimalistic design. The canister body is bright green, which makes it entirely off. It doesn’t go with the overall aquarium’s design. These filters have excellent energy efficiency, which forced me to add them to the best canister filters for goldfish.
EHEIM External Aquarium Canister Filter has five clips to keep the powerhead intact with the canister body. When you open the upper head, the first thing you will see is the lattice screen, a bag of Eheim substrate pro, ceramic rings, sponge, the carbon and white foam pad. All these are the media that come with the canister filter. There is no complex sequence, just place one of the two lattice screens on the bottom and dump all these media into the canister body and top it with the second canister lattice.
It has no fancy features. It is just a simple classic canister filter. There are water bars, hoses, inlet, and outlet. You have to add the pipes to the two valves. The outlet is attached to the valve at the bottom. At the same time, the inlet is connected to the upper valve. Like its classic version, the Ehiem External aquarium canister filter does not have chemical filtration, so you need to buy an activated carbon foam.
Drawbacks
Some users have complained the quality has declined sharply.
I previously had two large canister filters running on a 70 gal set up. This single filter is already much more powerful than both and extremely compact. Design is well thought out with the various hose hook ups. Highly refined this filter.
What do we like?
Energy efficiency
Durable
Simple
affordable
What don’t we like?
Design
No chemical filtration
Our Verdict
Eheim External aquarium canister might not be the most flattering one when it comes to looking, but it is undoubtedly one of the most efficient and good performance canister filters. It can work for hours on UPS which shows how much less power it requires. You can see through a bit from the green body so that you might know the debris inside. It is the best canister filter for goldfish tanks if you want to keep it simple.
A canister filter with an extensive bio-media is the best for goldfishes. There are many canister filters, but the Ehiem external aquarium canister filter, OASE Indoor Aquatics Biomaster Thermo, Aqueon Uv sterilization canister filter, Fluval performance canister filter, and Penn-Plax Aquarium Canister Filter are the best filters for goldfish tanks.
Do goldfish need filters in their tank?
Yes, goldfishes do need a filter in their tank as, like many other fishes, goldfish is a freshwater fish. So it requires a fresh and healthy environment. These filters make the water clean, promote healthy bacterial growth, and increase the fish’s lifespan.
Conclusion
Goldfish tanks look very beautiful and add some interior to the place where it is kept, but these things can get super messy. Especially in the case of goldfish, as it produces a large amount of waste. So you can buy a good quality fish tank filter. Then it will be easy for you to keep the tank clean. Here are some of the best picks of the canister filter for goldfish tanks.
OASE Indoor Aquatics Biomaster Thermo is one of my favorites because it has four layers of filtration, an integrated heater, and is easy to clean. It also comes with an incredible three years warranty.
The Fluval Performance canister filter is the best performance filter with extraordinary purification ability. It has three stages of purification with a sufficient amount of bio media. This high purification ability makes it ideal for messy goldfishes.
Goldfish are the most waste-producing fish, so don’t get fooled by their small size. It is almost impossible to keep the tank clean by manually changing the tank water. So if you have or are thinking of having a goldfish shortly, you must buy one of the above. Because without a filter, your aquarium will change into a big box of junk in the future. To prevent it, you should buy one right away.
The Penn-Plax aquarium filter has a canister filter style. It has a very effortless design and work. There are three levels of filtration. Penn-Plax is a well-known company in the field of pet products. This canister filter works powerfully. This filter comes with a whole set of cascade filter kits that have all the things you will ever need to take care of the aquarium.
The SUNSUN aquarium UV sterilizer canister filter is an outstanding filter for goldfish tanks. You will love it if you want something good under a specific budget. This canister filter offers you many unique features that are far better than many other expensive filters on the market. It has a UV light sterilizer which makes it stand out.
The Aqueon Quietflow canister filters are one of the best combinations of affordable price and good specifications. It is used for tanks that have a capacity of 155 gallons. This Aqueon filter is designed for both types of aquariums. So, even if you want to add some other fish to your tank other than the goldfish in the future, you don’t have to replace your filter.
EHEIM External Aquarium Canister Filter is inspired by the old classic canister design. Its features also resemble the original filter. It has a simple and minimalistic design. The canister body is bright green, which makes it entirely off. It doesn’t go with the overall aquarium’s design. These filters have excellent energy efficiency, which forced me to add them to the best canister filters for goldfish.
