10 Best Rated Aquarium Power Filters
Updated on: June 2023
Best Rated Aquarium Power Filters in 2023
Tetra Whisper Power Filter 10 Gallons, Quiet 3-Stage aquarium Filtration
Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel Power Filter 200 GPH, Multi-Stage aquarium Filtration

- WITH ROTATING BIO-WHEEL: Patented Bio-Wheel technology provides excellent wet/dry biological filtration.
- MULTI-STAGE FILTRATION: Delivers mechanical, chemical and biological aquarium filtration to maintain a clean aquatic environment.
- COMPATIBILITY: Use with Marineland Rite-Size Filter Cartridges (see individual filter for sizing recommendations).
- FIVE SIZES: Available in 75 GPH, 100 GPH, 150 GPH, 200 GPH and 350 GPH sizes.
Ovation 1000 Submersible Power Jet Filter - 265 GPH

- Gallon Capacity - 80 Gallons
- Flow rate 265 GPH
- Hi-tech design filters up to 265 gallons per hour
- Dual filter elements provide excellent mechanical and biological filtration.
- Optional included spray bar for powerful aeration
SeaChem Large Aquarium Fish Tank Filter, Tidal 55 Gallon (200 Liters) by Sicce

- VENTILATION SLOTS – Additional aeration slots in the lid as well as the outflow ensure maximum gas exchange for fully oxygenated water up to 55 gallons.
- SURFACE SKIMMER – Includes a skimmer to capture debris floating just below the surface such as fish oil, algae, and other contaminants for crystal clear water.
- EASY MAINTENANCE – Automatic maintenance alert mechanism lets you know when the filter needs cleaning or maintenance, fully removable basket makes the cleaning process a mess-free breeze.
- FULLY ADJUSTABLE – Adjustable telescoping intake pipe, flow regulation, and intake regulation make it easy to draw water through from any level of the tank.
- FRESH OR SALT WATER – Includes a clip to easily add a heater to the device to create the right environment for fresh or salt water fish.
AA Aquarium Green Killing Machine 9 Watt | Internal UV Sterilizer System with Power Head | Kills Algae, Bacteria, and Waterborne Pathogens | Easy, Submersible Installation

- Say GOODBYE to GREEN and HELLO to CLEAN. AA Aquarium’s Green Killing Machine eliminates cloudiness, algae & bacteria to give your fish the crystal clear water they need for perfect health!
- The #1 UV in the US – over ½ Million sold. Patented technology that no one else has and the ONLY UL Safety Tested internal UV kit – Be safe with your tank and fish!
- Patented Sealed UV BULB - you never touch glass! Chambered bulb assembly for high water dwell time and outstanding efficacy! No gloves-No mess-EZ bulb changes!
- NO TOOLS REQUIRED! 10 minute installation - Follow simple steps to get clear water in days. No Guessing – Control Box LED tells you when to change bulbs!
- 3 Year Warranty on Pump; 4 pcs sponge pre-filter; Pump rated 220L/Hour. Perfect for aquariums up to 50 Gallons (210 L). UL/cUL Listed
Azoo Mignon Filter 150 Power Filter

- Quiet and efficient
- Hang on back design
- Easy to maintain
AA Aquarium Green Killing Machine 24Watt | Internal UV Sterilizer System with Power Head | Kills Algae, Bacteria, and Waterborne Pathogens | Easy, Submersible Installation

- Say GOODBYE to GREEN and HELLO to CLEAN. AA Aquarium’s Green Killing Machine eliminates cloudiness, algae & bacteria to give your fish the crystal clear water they need for perfect health!
- The #1 UV in the US – over ½ Million sold! Patented technology that no one else has and the ONLY UL Safety Tested internal UV kit – Be safe with your tank and fish!
- Patented Sealed UV BULB - you never touch glass! Chambered bulb assembly for high water dwell time and outstanding efficacy! No gloves-No mess-EZ bulb changes
- NO TOOLS REQUIRED! 10 minute installation - Follow simple steps to get to clear water in days. No Guessing – Control Box LED tells you when to change bulbs!
- 3 Year Warranty on Pump; 4 pcs sponge pre-filter; Pump rated 440L/Hour. Perfect for aquariums up to 120 Gallons (450 L). UL/cUL Listed
AA Aquarium Green Killing Machine 3 Watt | Internal UV Sterilizer System with Power Head | Kills Algae, Bacteria, and Waterborne Pathogens | Easy, Submersible Installation

- Say GOODBYE to GREEN and HELLO to CLEAN. AA Aquarium’s Green Killing Machine eliminates cloudiness, algae & bacteria to give your fish the crystal clear water they need for perfect health!
- The #1 UV in the US – over ½ Million sold. Patented technology that no one else has and the ONLY UL Safety Tested internal UV kit – Be safe with your tank and fish!
- Patented Sealed UV BULB - you never touch glass! Chambered bulb assembly for high water dwell time and outstanding efficacy! No gloves-No mess-EZ bulb changes!
- NO TOOLS REQUIRED! Plug and Play! 2 minute installation - Have clear water in days. No Guessing – Control Switch LED tells you when to change bulbs!
- 3 Year Warranty on Pump; Pump rated 150 L/Hour. Perfect for aquariums up to 20 Gallons (85 L). UL/cUL Listed
API FILSTAR XP FILTER SIZE S Aquarium Canister Filter 1-Count Box

- Contains one (1) API FILSTAR XP FILTER SIZE S Aquarium Canister Filter 1-Count Box
- Provides powerful filtration for perfectly balanced and crystal clear aquarium water.
- Very easy to use and maintain; allows for centralized control of all the functions of the filtration system.
- Quick disconnect, leak free, fast cleaning, and self-priming.
- Allows the use of various filtration media available in the API range, and meets your specific freshwater and saltwater requirements.
Submersible Pump 4W 280L/H Fountain Water Pump for Pond/Aquarium/Fish Tank/Statuary/Hydroponics with 2.1ft (65-70CM) Power Cord

- Ultra Quiet Design: The relible and duarable motor does not produce much noise, giving you quiet environment.This submersible pump is designed for small to medium size aquarium, Fish tank, Pond, tabletop fountains, water gardens and hydroponic systems.
- Adjustable Flow Rate: Designed with a adjusting knob, allowing to adjust the water flow rate, the maximal flow rate can be up to 95 GPH. It can elevate column of water up to 3.0 ft.
- Detachable & Cleanable: No need any tools to detach it, easy to seperate, easy to clean.
- Mini Size: The mini size makes the pump easy to hide or disguise in the water. Dimensions:1.8 x 1.8 x 1.4 inch
- Pump Accessories : 3 suction cups & one Nozzles : Suction cups is great for mounting onto the glass surface. Equipped with a 0.3" diameters nozzle
Common Plecostomus
Detailed research paper about the common aquarium fish Hypostomus plecostomus
Glossary
apomorphy - a derived characteristic
benthic - associated with the bottom
ctenoid - elasmoid scale; found in many Teleosts; comb-like
margin
cycloid - elasmoid scale; found in many Teleosts; circular
dioecious - male and female reproductive organs
borne on separate individuals of the
same species
ganoid - scales found in Cladistia and Chondrostei;
usually rhomboid in shape
heterocercal - lobes on tail of fish are asymmetrical
homocercal - lobes on tail of fish are symmetrical
physoclistous - term for a swim bladder lacking a
pneumatic duct
physostomous - term for a swim bladder with a pneumatic duct
placoid - scale type found in sharks
pleisiomorphy - a primitive characteristic
pneumatic duct - a tube linking the digestive
tract to the swim bladder
protrusible - overhanging; jutting out
synapomorphy - a shared derived characteristic
The world's aquatic environments are home to a fantastically varied number of species, including over 25,000 species of fishes. A fish is defined as an aquatic vertebrate with gills, and limbs in the shape of fins. This definition applies in the vast majority of fishes, though there are some exceptions. Of these 25,000 species, roughly 58% reside in marine environments, and 42% make their home in freshwater. This is unique in a sense, because freshwater environments make up only .01% of the Earth's total water volume, a stark contrast to the 97% that is the Global Ocean. Hypostomus plecostomus is only one of a number of fishes generally referred to in layman's terms as the Common Pleco, but this particular species is responsible for the origin of the name.
H. plecostomus was first named by Linnaeus in 1758. The species has been renamed a number of times since then, the last being Plecostomus resiliencies by Bleecker in 1864, however the Common Pleco remains primarily known as H. plecostomus.
Phylogeny and Taxonomy
All organisms fall into a hierarchy of classification, beginning with their kingdom and proceeding down the ladder, becoming more and more defined with each rung. All fishes belong to the kingdom Animalia, and the phylum Chordata. This classification narrows all organisms down to only those with nerve chords or notochords. This
encompasses all vertebrates such as amphibians, and birds, as well as hagfishes, tunicates, and lancelets. The subphylum Vertebrata omits those without backbones, or vertebral columns, such as the hagfishes, the lancelets, and the tunicates. The nerve chord and backbone, both pleisiomorphs, are retained in my organism. Next comes the Gnathostome classification. Vertebrates must be jawed in order to belong in this classification. Jaws evolved roughly 450 million years ago initially most likely to facilitate breathing. Secondarily, they became useful in catching prey. Jaws evolved alongside an internal skeleton, paired fins, and gill arches, as fishes underwent a large change. These adaptations allowed for quicker, more efficient movement. Specifically, the skeleton was thought to be primarily important in mineral storage, and only secondarily important in protection and swimming. Paired fins evolved through what is thought of as the Fin-Fold Hypothesis. This states that fins developed gradually from lateral folds that later became subdivided into controllable segments. After this, rows of fins developed. The intermediate fins later were lost, leaving paired fins in their stead. These pleisiomorphies are maintained in my species, as well as most other present-day fishes. Hypostomus plecostomus begins to differentiate from other vertebrate fishes at this next point in classification. The Common Pleco is in the Class Actinopterygii, the ray-finned fishes. This means that their fins are supported by fins rays rather than skeletal extensions. The character changes that come with this class also include a change to ganoid scales from placoid, and a heterocercal tail. In this class there are three subclasses: the Cladistia, the Chondrostei, and the Neopterygii. Cladistia include birchirs and reedfishes, Chondrostei are sturgeons and paddlefishes, and the Neopterygii include gars, bowfins, and Teleosts, the infraclass the which H. plecostomus belongs. The Teleosts are the classification of fishes that dominate waters in the here and now. This is largely due to improvements in respiration, buoyancy, feeding, and swimming. Euteleostei are another classification to which H. plecostomus belongs. Plecos are also Ostariophysians, a classification that is in part defined by the presence of a Weberian Complex. This is an auditory adaptation that allows for enhanced capabilities and is essentially a modified vertebrae. In addition, these fishes possess Schreckstoff and Schreckreaktion, which are alarm response systems. These allow the fish to react quickly and effectively to an awareness of danger. H. plecostomus is in the order Siluriformes, the order of the catfishes. Roughly 10% of fishes are catfishes. This order is distinct because many catfish lack scales, possess barbels, and have fin spines. These are traits which are all maintained in my species. H. plecostomus belongs to the family Loricariidae, which is distinct because these fish are adorned scutes and have sucker-like mouths. Both of these synapomorphs are retained in H. plecostomus.
Zoogeography
H. plecostomus is native to the coastal drainage areas of Guyana and Suriname, but has been introduced to a number of Asian countries; Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, as well as the United States as a result of the aquarium trade. Its native zoogeographic realm is the freshwater portion of the Neotropics, which collectively includes Central and South America as well as the Caribbean. This region is characterized by warm temperatures and long hours of sun as well as a lack of minnows. Due to their introduction, they are now subject to living in the Nearctic and Oriental regions. The Nearctic region is a temperate environment with great fish diversity and a varying daylength. Many fishes found in this region are better adapted to living in cold water conditions. The Oriental region is home to minnows and catfish predominantly and is characterized by warm temperatures and high humidity. This is an environment that clearly would be conducive to an H. plecostomus, population, as it is with a number of other catfish.
Anatomy and Physiology
The suckermouth catfish has a number of adaptations that separate it from other species and allow it to survive. H. plecostomus has a protrusible upper jaw which allows it to achieve suction and feed off the bottom. If it weren't for this adaptation, the suckermouth catfish may have been forced to occupy an alternate niche which could greatly alter their survival odds, possible even leading to their extinction. The rows of scutes on the top half of the body and head keep it protected while it feeds on the bottom. The scutes aren't necessary on the belly, because H. plecostomus for the most part stays on the bottom. Due to this, its soft underbelly is protected from attack. In addition to this protective measure, the suckermouth catfish has spines which can be locked out to injure potential predators or threats. H. plecostomus also has a number of sensory systems. As mentioned before, they possess a Weberian apparatus as well as an alarm response system. Also present are barbels, which act as a type of feeler to aid in movement, and a lateral line system, which is useful in electrosensing. Electrosensing is helpful to fishes who participate in migrations and to sense other fishes in close proximity. Another adaption that is important is osmoregulation. H. plecostomus is a freshwater teleost, so it's hyperosmotic, meaning it has to maintain a level of salts higher than that of the surrounding water. To do this, it has developed a large kidney to make large quantities of dilute urine, the kidney reabsorbs salts that it could potentially lose, it doesn't drink water, and chloride cells are present on the gills to gain ions from the surrounding environment. Another adaptation is in the way they swim. This fish oscillates its' tail to get from place to place. The maximum size for this fish is estimated at roughly 600 mm. Male and female Plecos are distinguishable from each other because males have wider heads and thicker spines, which can resemble sideburns in some species. (Elson in "Catfish")
Life History
The Common Pleco's diet consists mainly of benthic algae and small, benthic crustaceans. H. plecostomus is a dioecious species that participate in external fertilization. The eggs are deposited on smooth rocks or in depressions, where they are then guarded by one or both parents. The young hatch after three to five days as small versions of the adults, with no larval stage to speak of, and are more or less ready for life in the world. The Common Pleco prefers to consume algae from benthic surfaces, as their sucker-like mouth would imply. H. plecostomus is generally earthen in color, as they are benthic fishes. This helps them to avoid predation.
Community Relationships
H. plecostomus is a primary consumer in its food web. It eats predominantly algae, but will also dine on small benthic crustaceans. It is not a predator, yet it is not often prey, due to its bony scutes and dorsal spine, both of which discourage predation. This species has a relatively low community impact, as stated by Courtenay et al. In the GMSFC article; "[H. plecostomus is] innocuous, occupying a niche which has minimum overlap with niches of native fish species."
Conservation Status
H. plecostomus is commercially utilized as an aquarium fish. It is popular in this role due to its feeding habits. Plecos help keep aquariums clean by consuming the algae that grows on the glass faces and sculptures that decorate tanks. This species has little to no value as a food source. There are diseases that affect the suckermouth catfish. These diseases are parasitic in nature and negatively influence survival rate. It is afflicted with velvet disease, skin flukes, and white spot disease.
Works Cited
"Catfish: Everything About Natural History..." Google Book Search 28 Apr 2020
Garilao, Cristina V. "Hypostomus plecostomus: Suckermouth Catfish." Fishbase. (2005) 20 Apr 2020.
Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission. "Hypostomus plecostomus." (2005). 24 Apr 2020.
Lundberg, John G., and Friel, John P. "Siluriformes." Tree of Life Web Project. (2003). 24 Apr 2020.
M. McGrouther. Australian Museum Online. "About Fishes." (2020). 29 Apr 2020