10 Best Saltwater Aquarium Filter System

Updated on: September 2023

Best Saltwater Aquarium Filter System in 2023


Marineland PF0350B Penguin Power Filter, Upto 75 Gallons, 350 GPH

Marineland PF0350B Penguin Power Filter, Upto 75 Gallons, 350 GPH
BESTSELLER NO. 1 in 2023

Marineland Magniflow Canister Filter For aquariums, Easy Maintenance

Marineland Magniflow Canister Filter For aquariums, Easy Maintenance
BESTSELLER NO. 2 in 2023
  • 3-STAGE FILTRATION: Water flows through media layers to filter water and ensure a clean aquatic environment.
  • VERSATILE: For freshwater and saltwater aquariums.
  • EASY MAINTENANCE: Valve block for quick release to shut down water flow – separates from housing for quick, spill-free maintenance.
  • THREE SIZES AVAILABLE: Comes in 220 GPH, 360 GPH and 360 GPH sizes.

Penn Plax Cascade Hang-on Aquarium Filter with Quad Filtration System Cleans Up to 100 Gallon Tank (CPF5)

Penn Plax Cascade Hang-on Aquarium Filter with Quad Filtration System Cleans Up to 100 Gallon Tank (CPF5)
BESTSELLER NO. 3 in 2023
  • Hang on aquarium filter quietly delivers 300 gallons per hour of crystal clear water for your fresh or marine aquariums from 55 to 100 gallons in size.
  • Revolutionary Bio-Falls Quad-Filtration system provides efficient filtration with anaerobic bacteria for additional ammonia and nitrite removal providing maximum oxygenation.
  • Activated carbon cartridge removes harmful chemicals, toxins, odors, discoloration, and other contaminants for your aquarium.
  • Internal sponge optimizes colonization of beneficial anaerobic bacteria and polyfiber floss cartridge traps floating particulate matter.
  • Adjustable flow knob allows you to reduce filtration during feeding times or as needed. Aquarium filter is recommended for both freshwater and saltwater applications.

Aqua-Tech ML90740-00 Power Aquarium Filter, 30 to 60-Gallon Aquariums

Aqua-Tech ML90740-00 Power Aquarium Filter, 30 to 60-Gallon Aquariums
BESTSELLER NO. 4 in 2023
  • For 30 to 60 gallon aquariums
  • Two year warranty
  • Advanced 3 step filtration
  • Comes with one AQUA-Tech EZ-Change #3 Filter Cartridge
  • Traps dirt, removes impurities and offers maximum water to carbon contact

Penn Plax Cascade CCF3UL Canister Filter For Large Aquariums and Fish Tanks – Up To 100 Gallons, Filters 265 GPH

Penn Plax Cascade CCF3UL Canister Filter For Large Aquariums and Fish Tanks – Up To 100 Gallons, Filters 265 GPH
BESTSELLER NO. 5 in 2023
  • CASCADE CANISTER FILTER FOR FRESHWATER OR MARINE ENVIRONMENTS: the Cascade 1000 (CCF3UL) has 3 media baskets, works at 265 GPH, and is recommended for Aquariums up to 100 gallons. It measures 11.5 x 17 x 10 inches.
  • STATE OF THE ART FEATURES OF THE CASCADE 1000: ♦ flow valves that rotate 360 degrees for easy maneuvering in even the tightest aquarium cabinets ♦ large capacity media baskets allow aquarists to customize to their media needs ♦ push button primer allows for a quick and easy prime of the filter ♦ includes a spray bar, tubing, directional spout for customization, and filter medium.
  • USE ANY COMBINATION OF MEDIA: floss pad for removing particulate matter and a course sponge that provides abundant surface for promoting bacterial growth (to remove ammonia and nitrites) included free with purchase
  • SEE BELOW FOR DIAGRAM, THE CASCADE 1000 INCLUDES: ♦ Flow rate control cut-off valves ♦ two independent directional 360 degree rotating valve taps ♦ swimming pool – style hose clamps ♦ quick, easy, push button self-primer ♦ extra-large capacity stackable filter medium containers with lift-up handles ♦ floss pad and coarse sponge included, free with each canister filter ♦ easy lift alignment clamps that release vacuum suction ♦ sturdy tip-proof base
  • FILTER MEDIA OPTIONS BY CASCADE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON, SOLD SEPARATELY: see below for details, sold separately is media such as: bio-floss, bio-sponge, bio-rings, filt-a-pack pro-z, and filt-a-pack pro-carb-z.

Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel Power Filter 200 GPH, Multi-Stage aquarium Filtration

Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel Power Filter 200 GPH, Multi-Stage aquarium Filtration
BESTSELLER NO. 6 in 2023
  • 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.

Aquatic Life RO Buddie Three Stage Reverse Osmosis, 50-Gallon

Aquatic Life RO Buddie Three Stage Reverse Osmosis, 50-Gallon
BESTSELLER NO. 7 in 2023
  • Add-On Drinking Water Kit with 2.8 Gallon Tank available, Amazon item B07371N7PT
  • Sediment and Carbon cartridges are up-front and easy to replace
  • Membrane Housing accepts standard 11 3/4 IN membrane filters
  • Faucet Adapter makes it easy to connect to standard male hose thread
  • NEW YORK CITY ONLY - Due to high city water sediment, additional pre-filtration required before use.

Aqua Clear - Fish Tank Filter - 5 to 20 Gallons - 110v

Aqua Clear - Fish Tank Filter - 5 to 20 Gallons - 110v
BESTSELLER NO. 8 in 2023
  • Refiltration system that offers superior contact time with filter media and energy efficient pump lowers operating costs
  • Quick and Easy Installation
  • Filtration volume is upto 7 times larger than comparable filters
  • Comes equipped with AquaClear Foam, Activated Carbon and BioMax and Cycle Guard for continuous biological filtration and superior water quality
  • 2 year warranty; Ideal for aquariums upto 20 gallons

Hydor Professional External Canister Filter – Aquarium External Filter – Telescopic Intake Tubes, Easy Priming – EcoSystem in a Box – Biological, Mechanical, Chemical Filtration – 450 to 320 gph

Hydor Professional External Canister Filter – Aquarium External Filter – Telescopic Intake Tubes, Easy Priming – EcoSystem in a Box – Biological, Mechanical, Chemical Filtration – 450 to 320 gph
BESTSELLER NO. 9 in 2023
  • The hydro professional 450 Aquarium External 320GPH Filter is a complete eco-system in a box
  • All the biological, mechanical and chemical filtration that any environment requires for a healthy and long-lived Aquatic experience
  • From the easy priming feature to the telescopic intake tubes, everything had been made easy
  • Ceramic shaft motors guarantee longevity to your filter, versatile and high capacity filtering chamber

SeaChem – Large Aquarium Fish Tank Filter, Tidal 75 Gallon (300 Liters) by Sicce

SeaChem – Large Aquarium Fish Tank Filter, Tidal 75 Gallon (300 Liters) by Sicce
BESTSELLER NO. 10 in 2023
  • VENTILATION SLOTS – Additional aeration slots in the lid as well as the outflow ensure maximum gas exchange for fully oxygenated water up to 75 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.

Maintaining a Saltwater Aquarium

Taking care of a saltwater aquarium may seem to be a lot of work, but if you just follow these basic steps, your aquarium will be very healthy.

Having the proper equipment on your tank is a must in keeping saltwater equipments. Be sure you have adequate lighting, pumps, skimmers, and heaters (if needed). Don't purchase your equipment based on price. There is lots of cheap equipment out there, but make sure that the quality of the product isn't cheap also. Be sure to purchase good quality equipment that will last a long time.

One of the best ways to keep up the quality of your aquarium is to do regular water changes. The minimum amount of water you should change is 25% a month. Many people have found that doing 10% water changes every week works very well. You will have to see what works best for you.

Any water that you use in your tank should be filtered water. Do not use tap water because it contains many impurities that can harm your tank. You can purchase distilled water, however, in the long run it is much cheaper to purify your own tap water with a reverse osmosis (RO) system. These systems remove 99.9% of impurities.

Every day you should check your tank and make sure nothing is dead or acting strangely. Many organisms can begin to act very strangely when something isn't right. Observe the fish every day and become familiar with their regular behavior. Also be sure the temperature is in an acceptable range daily.

Be sure to feed your fish when they need it. Feeding requirements for fish are different for each kind so be sure to do research on a fish before buying it. Try to feed your fish a variety of different foods so that you don't have any nutritional problems. Tangs and angelfishes are especially prone to vitamin deficiency.

If you have corals, most will need to have additives added to the tank. Make sure you know what your corals need so that they will be healthy. Also, study the coral you are getting to decide whether you have the adequate lighting requirements and to decide the best location in your tank for it.

You will occasionally need to add water to the tank due to evaporation. Do not add salt water. When water evaporates the salt is left behind so be sure to replace evaporated water with fresh water.

About once a week you will need to scrape any algae off the walls of the tank and siphon any debris from the gravel. This will keep your tank looking very nice and make the parameters easier to maintain. Having snails and hermit crabs really helps keep algae down and is highly recommended.

Every two weeks you will need to test all of your parameters (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, calcium, and pH). Also, be sure to check the alkalinity every month.

This may sound like a lot of things to do but it's really not that much. If you are consistent in doing the proper maintenance on your tank, you shouldn't have any problems with it.

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