Aquarium filter types explained
Compare HOB, canister, internal, sponge, and sump systems by space, maintenance, media capacity, and flow.
The right filter starts here
Tell us about your aquarium. We’ll help you compare filter options that fit your setup.
How TankPicks works
A practical shortlist, not a substitute for planning
TankPicks checks your answers against manufacturer-published aquarium capacity, water-type compatibility, flow controls, and installation style. Rankings are generated from those specifications and your quiz answers. We do not hands-on test these products.
Tank volume is only a starting point. Stocking, fish size, waste production, flow tolerance, aquascape, and maintenance habits can change what a system needs. Reef aquariums also require a broader filtration and circulation plan than a canister or hang-on-back filter alone.
Read the recommendation methodologyLearn before choosing
Aquarium filter guides
How to size an aquarium filter
Use published tank ratings as a boundary, then account for actual water volume, stocking, layout, and maintenance.
Why reef filtration needs a system plan
Understand what a conventional filter can do—and what circulation, biological filtration, and protein skimming still need to cover.