Proper filtration is one of the most crucial aspects of maintaining a healthy tank environment. Without a high quality filter, despite your other best efforts you’re fish will get sick / die and you’ll be flushing money down the toilet (pun intended.) Below is a list of some of the best canister filters for 55 gallon tanks.
What is a Canister Filter?
A canister filter is a powerful, external aquarium filter. It works by moving water out of the tank through an intake valve or tube and directs it into the canister. As the water passes through the canister it uses high pressure to filter it through media (this is where all of the cleaning magic happens) and then returns the clean water back into the tank, keeping your fish healthy and you happy that you didn’t spend money on fish only to have them end up dying. These filters are generally bigger, can hold more filter media and produce a higher flow rate than other types of filters, making it a great choice for aquariums. Unlike other filters that can be a hard to miss eyesore, canisters stay out of sight and can sit nicely under the tank.
Comparison of The Best Canister Filters For 55 Gallon Tanks
Model | Dimensions | Flow Rate | Tank Size | Media Included | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fluval 406 | 4 x 3.5 x 8 inches | 383 Gallons / Hour | Up to 100 Gallons | Yes | Check Price Here |
Cascade 700 | 15 x 10 x 11.5 inches | 185 Gallons / Hour | Up to 65 Gallons | Yes | Check Price Here |
Sunsun HW-303B | 10.5" L X 10.5" W X 16" H | 370 Gallons / Hour | Up to 100 Gallons | No | Check Price Here |
EHEIM Classic 250 (2213) | 8 x 6.3 x 14 inches | Up to 66 Gallons | Yes | Check Price Here | |
Aquatop CF-400UV | 16 x 10.5 x 10.5 inches | 370 Gallons / Hour | Up to 125 Gallons | Some | Check Price Here |
Marineland Magniflow 220 | 12.2 x 9.2 x 15.5 inches | Up to 55 Gallons | Yes | Check Price Here |
Fluval 406 External Filter
Equipped with a powerful (yet quiet motor) the Fluval 406 provides excellent filtration for tanks up to 100 gallons in size. With it’s rectangular shape it holds more volume than round canisters that are similar in size. This model allows for adjustable flow rates and the ability to customize the media to suit the needs of your tank. Filter media is included with the filter. However, it’s multiple filtration baskets can be completely customized with whatever media you choose to use. One really cool feature is it’s patented Aqua-Stop Valve, which prevents needing to remove the hoses which makes for a much easier filter cleaning experience.
Features
Penn Plax Cascade 700 Canister Aquarium Filter
The Cascade 700 Canister Filter is a multi-stage, external filtration system that provides crystal clear, healthy water and is an excellent choice for aquariums up 65 gallons. This powerful system is easy to install and begins to have a positive impact on the water quality of the tank within 24 hours. It can be used with either fresh or saltwater tanks. When it comes to media filter options it provides complete versatility and you can use any mix of media such as bio-floss, bio-sponges, activated carbon and more. The media trays are also large in size which increases the quality of the filtration process. Another simple (but handy) feature is it’s sturdy base that prevents it from tipping over, meaning no accidental spills, something to think about if you have children or pets.
Features
Sunsun HW-303B 4-Stage External Canister Filter
The Sunsun 4-Stage External Canister Filter works well for tanks up to 100 gallons in size. It comes with the added bonus of having a 9 watt UV Sterilizer which helps to fight against algae growth. The sterilizer will help to reduce the amount of time you need to spend using your algae scraper. To make the setup process easier it includes a self-priming pump.
Overall this filter is a really well rated and more cost effective in comparison to some of the other well rated canister filters, however it does have a few things that could be improved. While it does come with three filter pads, unlike many of the other brands of filters, this one doesn’t come with any start-up media ceramic rings or activated carbon. The plastic that the intake tubes are made out of isn’t the best quality and over time they will need to be replaced.
Features
EHEIM Classic 250 (2213) External Canister Filter
In the world of all things aquarium related, when it comes to stellar brands, Eheim without a doubt makes the list and the quality of this model is consistent with their excellent track record.
One of the best features is the volume of the canister. It is very large allowing for a lot of media to be added which in turn helps to grow a higher count of bacteria. This is a huge benefit because by having a good amount of established bacteria in the media, the more bad stuff it can take on and successfully filter.
One thing in my opinion that could be improved (and this is minor and really only a matter of color preference) is the green hoses in tube. I think clear would have been a much better choice.
Features
Aquatop CF-400UV Canister Filter
The Aquatop CF-400UV is a great choice for for fresh or saltwater aquariums up to 125 gallons in size. It also has large media baskets that holds ample amounts of media. Just like the Sun Sun HW-303B Filter listed above, this model also comes with a 9-Watt UV sterilizer which is helpful in combating spores and algae growth.
Note: They have another model available (Aquatop CF300) that will also suitable for 55 gallon tanks (it is actually suitable for up to 75 gallon tanks) It is similar to this one and costs a little bit less, however one big difference is that is does not include the UV sterilizer.
One negative is despite it’s large media baskets it doesn’t come with enough start-up media to actually fill them up.
The canister is also large in size. That’s not a negative it’s just worth mentioning because a lot of people prefer to place the canister out of sight in their cabinet stand. With the height of this being 16 inches tall and 10 1/2 inches wide it may not fit well in small cabinet stands.
Features
Marineland Magniflow Canister Filter 220
The Marineland 220 provides a strong flow and does an excellent job circulating the water in tanks up to 55 gallons. It comes with a polishing filter pad designed to eliminate the super tiny particles of debris. It also comes with Black Diamond® activated carbon which works wonders in eliminating unpleasant smells.
While this this model does work with tanks up to 55 gallons in size, if your tank is exactly that size and you have a lot of fish / plant life in it, while this is a good model, it may not be the best canister filter for your 55 gallon tank. You may want to consider the next size up which supports up to 100 gallons. The more fish that are in a tank obviously the more waste there is going to be to. If the tank is highly populated, to ensure it can handle the waste load it’s a good idea for the filter’s flow rate to be at least little bit higher than the absolute max size tank the filter can support.
Features
There are three important things to take into consideration when shopping around for the best canister filter for 55 gallon tanks:
Canister Size
Size is important because the larger the volume of the canister means that it can hold more filter media which is what actually purifies the water. So the bigger the size of the canister, the better quality filtration you’re tank will receive.
Flow Rate
Another thing that you’ll want to consider is it’s flow rate (the amount of water it can filter in x amount of time) It is critical to make sure you select a filter with a flow rate that is strong enough for the size of your tank. This is because to ensure proper filtration the water needs to flow through the media the correct number of times per hour to order to maintain a healthy tank.The rule of thumb is that it should be filtering at least four times the volume of the tank per hour. So for example with a 55 gallon tank you’ll want a filter with the capacity to filter a minimum of 220 gallons of water per hour.
Media Customization
While canister filters are an excellent choice and do a great job at cleaning the water, to get the most out of it is important that choose not only a good quality filter media, but one that is also suitable for the type of aquarium you have. One really awesome benefit of canister filters is that it doesn’t limit you to one type of media but gives you the freedom to create a unique combination that works best for your specific tank.
How To Extend The Life of Your Canister Filter
To extend the life of the filter and get the most out of it’s performance comes down proper care and maintenance. While the overall upkeep in maintaining canister filters is generally less than other types of filters, some work still needs to be done. Depending on the media that you use, from time to time it will either need to be cleaned or replaced entirely. It is important to clean the tubes, the media trays, replace carbon and clean inside of the canister. Sounds like a hoot right? But seriously while cleaning the filter isn’t exactly a dream job it will extend the life of the filter, keep your tank healthy and save you money in the long run.