Choosing an aquarium filter is an overwhelming task, but when it comes to choosing a filtration system for your large tank, it can be even worse. Not because there are more products available, but because fewer products are available to you, and all of them are an investment.
Large aquarium filtration systems don’t come cheap, so it’s important to choose a product that will meet the needs of your tank based on the size of the tank and the type of animals you’re keeping, as well as selecting a filter that will last for years to come. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve reviewed our eight favorite aquarium filters for large tanks.
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
SunSun HW-304B Aquarium Canister Filter
Mechanical, biological, chemical, and UV filtration
Made for tanks up to 150 gallons
Easy to set up and maintain
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Best Value
Fluval Aquarium Power Filter
Three sizes available
5-stage filtration
Patented refiltration system ensures thorough cleaning of the water
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Premium Choice
Eheim Classic 600 Aquarium Filter
Easy to set up and maintain
Compact for its power level
Works for tanks up to 159 gallons
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Marineland Magnum Internal Filter
Mechanical, biological, chemical, and water polishing
Works for tanks up to 97 gallons
Submerged motor makes it easy to get water flowing
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Eheim Pro 4+ 600 Aquarium Filter
Quiet and powerful
Self-priming aid and top pre-filter are included
Locking safety hose adapters prevent leaks
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The 8 Best Aquarium Filters for Large Tanks
The best overall aquarium filter for your large tank is the SunSun HW-304B Aquarium UV Sterilizer Canister Filter. This fantastic filter uses mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration, as well as including a UV light for extra water cleaning. It provides filtration for tanks up to 150 gallons and is easy to set up and maintain.
Type of filter: Canister
Type of filtration: Mechanical, biological, chemical, UV
Tank size: 150 gallons
Price: $$$
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It includes a built-in spray bar that helps aerate your tank while filtering it. It includes four trays that allow you to fill the canister with whatever filter media you prefer. It features a drip-free shutoff tap that allows you to avoid making a huge mess when it’s cleaning time. Compared to the price of similar canister filters, this filter sells for a budget-friendly price. The gaskets of this filter need to be replaced every year or two to maintain a proper seal.
Pros
Mechanical, biological, chemical, and UV filtration
Made for tanks up to 150 gallons
Easy to set up and maintain
Built-in spray bar helps aerate your tank
Four media trays can be filled with whatever filter media you prefer
Drip-free shutoff tap
Cons
Gaskets need regular replacement
The Fluval Aquarium Power Filter is the best aquarium filter for large tanks for the money due to its functionality and budget-friendly price. This hang-on back filter comes in three sizes for tanks from 30–70 gallons.
Mechanical, biological, chemical, and UV filtration
Made for tanks up to 150 gallons
Easy to set up and maintain
Built-in spray bar helps aerate your tank
Four media trays can be filled with whatever filter media you prefer
Drip-free shutoff tap
- Mechanical, biological, chemical, and UV filtration
- Made for tanks up to 150 gallons
- Easy to set up and maintain
- Built-in spray bar helps aerate your tank
- Four media trays can be filled with whatever filter media you prefer
- Drip-free shutoff tap
Gaskets need regular replacement
- Gaskets need regular replacement
Type of filter: Hang-on back
Type of filtration: Mechanical, biological, chemical
Tank size: 30 gallons, 50 gallons, 70 gallons
Price: $$
It uses 5-stage filtration to ensure your water is being fully cleaned through its mechanical, biological, and chemical filter media. It uses a patented refiltration system that recirculates the water through the filter multiple times before returning it to the tank, ensuring a thorough clean.
It’s easy to set up and clean, and it features a pop-up indicator that lets you know when it’s time to clean your filter media. The draw tab makes it easy to remove the filter media basket for cleaning and maintenance. It includes all the filter media you need to get started.
This filter is louder than some of the other options, and some people report it becoming clogged easily.
Pros
Three sizes available
5-stage filtration
Patented refiltration system ensures thorough cleaning of the water
Easy to clean and maintain
Pop-up indicator lets you know when it’s time to clean the filter media
Cons
May be louder than some other options
May become clogged easily
The Eheim Classic 600 External Aquarium Canister Filter is the premium choice for filters for your large aquarium. This canister filter does only offer mechanical and biological filtration and is one of the more expensive options. However, it includes all needed filter media, and there is a built-in permo-elastic silicone ring in the pump head to ensure it doesn’t leak.
Three sizes available
5-stage filtration
Patented refiltration system ensures thorough cleaning of the water
Easy to clean and maintain
Pop-up indicator lets you know when it’s time to clean the filter media
- Three sizes available
- 5-stage filtration
- Patented refiltration system ensures thorough cleaning of the water
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Pop-up indicator lets you know when it’s time to clean the filter media
May be louder than some other options
May become clogged easily
- May be louder than some other options
- May become clogged easily
Type of filter: Canister
Type of filtration: Mechanical, biological
Tank size: 159 gallons
Price: $$$
It includes thorough instructions and is easy to set up and maintain. This filter is compact for its power level, measuring only 15.7 inches tall with a diameter of 8.07 inches. It can be used for tanks up to 159 gallons, making it the ideal addition to your large tank setup.
Pros
Includes specially sized filter media
The pump head has a built-in permo-elastic silicone ring to prevent leaks
Thorough instructions
Easy to set up and maintain
Compact for its power level
Works for tanks up to 159 gallons
Cons
2-stage filtration
Premium price
Includes specially sized filter media
The pump head has a built-in permo-elastic silicone ring to prevent leaks
Thorough instructions
Easy to set up and maintain
Compact for its power level
Works for tanks up to 159 gallons
- Includes specially sized filter media
- The pump head has a built-in permo-elastic silicone ring to prevent leaks
- Thorough instructions
- Easy to set up and maintain
- Compact for its power level
- Works for tanks up to 159 gallons
2-stage filtration
Premium price
- 2-stage filtration
- Premium price
It covers all you need to know about creating the most ideal tank setup, goldfish care, and more!
The Marineland Magnum Polishing Internal Filter is an internal filter that offers mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration, along with water polishing for maximum water clarity. This filter works for tanks up to 97 gallons and is a moderately-priced filtration option.
Type of filter: Internal
Type of filtration: Mechanical, biological, chemical, water polishing
Tank size: 97 gallons
Price: $$
Since the motor is submerged, it’s easy to set up and get started pumping, and it includes two refillable filter media chambers that can be used to hold carbon or filter media of your choice. It comes with carbon and filter foam to get started.
Some users have reported this being a noisy filter option. It also has a very strong flow, which may be too powerful for some fish.
Pros
Mechanical, biological, chemical, and water polishing
Works for tanks up to 97 gallons
Submerged motor makes it easy to get water flowing
Two refillable filter media chambers
Comes with carbon and filter foam to get started with
Cons
May be more noisy than some other options
Very strong water flow
The Eheim Pro 4+ 600 Aquarium Canister Filter is a high-quality but premium-priced filtration system. It offers an “Xtender” button that allows you to bypass the fine filter foam if it becomes clogged, allowing your system to continue to function until you can clean or replace the filter media.
Mechanical, biological, chemical, and water polishing
Works for tanks up to 97 gallons
Submerged motor makes it easy to get water flowing
Two refillable filter media chambers
Comes with carbon and filter foam to get started with
- Mechanical, biological, chemical, and water polishing
- Works for tanks up to 97 gallons
- Submerged motor makes it easy to get water flowing
- Two refillable filter media chambers
- Comes with carbon and filter foam to get started with
May be more noisy than some other options
Very strong water flow
- May be more noisy than some other options
- Very strong water flow
Type of filter: Canister
Type of filtration: Mechanical, biological, chemical
Tank size: 160 gallons
Price: $$$$
It offers a quiet and powerful performance, and it includes a self-priming aid, top pre-filter, and locking safety hose adapters to prevent leaks. It has an adjustable flow rate of up to 330 gallons per hour, allowing you to set the flow to what your tank specifically requires.
It includes four filter media baskets for you to fill with the filter media of your choosing, but it doesn’t include any filter media to get you started.
Pros
“Xtender” button bypasses fine filter foam if it becomes clogged
Quiet and powerful
Self-priming aid and top pre-filter are included
Locking safety hose adapters prevent leaks
Adjustable flow rate for tanks up to 160 gallons
Cons
Premium price
Doesn’t include filter media
The Marineland Bio-Wheel Penguin Aquarium Power Filter is available in four sizes for tanks up to 75 gallons, and it is one of the more budget-friendly filters for large tanks. This hang-on back filter uses 3-stage filtration, including a patented Bio-Wheel that provides maximum surface area for beneficial bacteria growth.
“Xtender” button bypasses fine filter foam if it becomes clogged
Quiet and powerful
Self-priming aid and top pre-filter are included
Locking safety hose adapters prevent leaks
Adjustable flow rate for tanks up to 160 gallons
- “Xtender” button bypasses fine filter foam if it becomes clogged
- Quiet and powerful
- Self-priming aid and top pre-filter are included
- Locking safety hose adapters prevent leaks
- Adjustable flow rate for tanks up to 160 gallons
Premium price
Doesn’t include filter media
- Premium price
- Doesn’t include filter media
Type of filter: Hang-on back
Type of filtration: Mechanical, biological, chemical
Tank size: 20 gallons, 30 gallons, 50 gallons, 75 gallons
Price: $$
The Bio-Wheel includes vented covers that reduce noise, although some people do still report noise from the Bio-Wheel turning. There is some maintenance and cleaning that is specific to the Bio-Wheel, so it’s important to read through those instructions to keep this filter working at its maximum potential for the longest period of time.
Pros
Four sizes available for tanks up to 75 gallons
Budget-friendly option
Chemical, mechanical, and biological filtration
Patented Bio-Wheel supports maximum beneficial bacteria growth
Vented covers to reduce noise from the Bio-Wheel
Cons
Bio-Wheel may be noisy
Specific cleaning and maintenance are required to keep the Bio-Wheel working properly
The Marineland Magniflow 360 Aquarium Canister Filter offers 3-stage filtration for tanks up to 100 gallons, as well as water polishing for maximum water clarity. It features a valve block for quick release of the lid for cleaning and maintenance with minimal mess. It has a quick prime button that allows for quick and easy filling. The stack and flow filter media trays allow you to fill it with any filter media you prefer, and it includes all the filter media needed to get started.
Four sizes available for tanks up to 75 gallons
Budget-friendly option
Chemical, mechanical, and biological filtration
Patented Bio-Wheel supports maximum beneficial bacteria growth
Vented covers to reduce noise from the Bio-Wheel
- Four sizes available for tanks up to 75 gallons
- Budget-friendly option
- Chemical, mechanical, and biological filtration
- Patented Bio-Wheel supports maximum beneficial bacteria growth
- Vented covers to reduce noise from the Bio-Wheel
Bio-Wheel may be noisy
Specific cleaning and maintenance are required to keep the Bio-Wheel working properly
- Bio-Wheel may be noisy
- Specific cleaning and maintenance are required to keep the Bio-Wheel working properly
Type of filter: Canister
Type of filtration: Mechanical, biological, chemical, water polishing
Tank size: 100 gallons
Price: $$$
This is a premium-priced filtration system. Some people report leaks if the gasket is not replaced regularly, so make sure to perform regular cleaning, maintenance, and parts replacement on this filter.
Pros
Mechanical, chemical, biological, and water polishing
Works for tanks up to 100 gallons
Valve block and quick prime button make for easy setup and maintenance
Includes filter media for all four media trays
Cons
Premium price
May leak if not properly maintained
The Marineland Emperor Pro 450 Aquarium Filter is one of the more budget-friendly filters for large tanks. It uses 3-stage filtration, including the use of the patented Bio-Wheel to maximize beneficial bacteria growth.
Mechanical, chemical, biological, and water polishing
Works for tanks up to 100 gallons
Valve block and quick prime button make for easy setup and maintenance
Includes filter media for all four media trays
- Mechanical, chemical, biological, and water polishing
- Works for tanks up to 100 gallons
- Valve block and quick prime button make for easy setup and maintenance
- Includes filter media for all four media trays
Premium price
May leak if not properly maintained
- Premium price
- May leak if not properly maintained
Type of filter: Hang-on back
Type of filtration: Mechanical, biological, chemical
Tank size: 90 gallons
Price: $$
It’s made for tanks up to 90 gallons, and it has a built-in adjustable flow control, ensuring your Bio-Wheel has maximum contact with the water for proper cleaning and your water flow is appropriate for what your tank needs. It includes the filter media you need to get started, as well as an extra filter cartridge slot, although it doesn’t include an extra cartridge.
This may be a somewhat noisy filter, even with built-in noise dampeners, due to the Bio-Wheel. You’ll need to read up on and maintain the Bio-Wheel cleaning and maintenance schedule properly to ensure it continues to work correctly.
Pros
Budget-friendly option
Chemical, mechanical, biological filtration
Works for tanks up to 90 gallons
Built-in adjustable flow control
Includes filter media and extra filter cartridge slot
Cons
Doesn’t include the extra filter cartridge
May be noisier than many other options
Specific cleaning and maintenance are required to keep the Bio-Wheel working properly
Budget-friendly option
Chemical, mechanical, biological filtration
Works for tanks up to 90 gallons
Built-in adjustable flow control
Includes filter media and extra filter cartridge slot
- Budget-friendly option
- Chemical, mechanical, biological filtration
- Works for tanks up to 90 gallons
- Built-in adjustable flow control
- Includes filter media and extra filter cartridge slot
Doesn’t include the extra filter cartridge
May be noisier than many other options
Specific cleaning and maintenance are required to keep the Bio-Wheel working properly
- Doesn’t include the extra filter cartridge
- May be noisier than many other options
- Specific cleaning and maintenance are required to keep the Bio-Wheel working properly
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Aquarium Filter for Your Large Tank
When it comes to selecting the best aquarium filter for your needs, the first thing to do is make sure you are aware of the size of your tank. An under-filtered tank can lead to problems with water quality, but you aren’t going to over-filter your tank unless you keep very sensitive plants and animals. You’ll also need to take a serious look at your willingness to perform tank and filter maintenance. If it’s something that often gets put on the back burner, then you may need to invest in a filtration system that is larger than the size of your tank.
You should also consider what types of filtration are important to you. Some people are content not to use chemical filtration, but some people don’t like dealing with unpleasant smells from their aquarium that chemical filtration could remove. Some types of filters have added benefits, like UV sterilization or water polishing, which aren’t essential to your tank but can be very helpful.
Take into account what type of filter you’re in the market for. Many people prefer canister filters due to their functionality, but they tend to be more expensive and take up more room than other types of filters. Hang-on back filters need space on at least one side of the tank to hang from, while internal filters may not be suitable for all tank setups.
Conclusion
Once you’ve decided what exactly you’re looking for in a filtration system for your large tank, refer to these reviews to choose the best filter for your needs. The best overall option for large tanks is the SunSun HW-304B Aquarium UV Sterilizer Canister Filter, a moderately-priced option that is highly functional and includes a built-in UV sterilizer.
The more budget-friendly option is the Fluval Aquarium Power Filter, available in multiple sizes to suit your tank. If you’re looking for a premium product, then the Eheim Classic 600 External Aquarium Canister Filter is a high-quality product that might be just what you want.
You might also be interested in:
- 7 Best Aquarium UV Sterilizer Styles in 2022
Featured Image Credit: Sergio Bertino, Shutterstock
