

It also prevents large debris from clogging the filter. A mechanical filtration stage is crucial for catching large debris, including waste that hasn’t broken down yet. Mechanical filtration uses grids or membranes to catch debris and fine particles. You’ll find a mix of mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration media in most systems. With a canister or hang-on-back filter, it’s easy to add and remove filtration layers to customize your filtration system.

Unfortunately, it’s not the best aquarium filter for anything larger than 10 gallons. These filters use an air pump that pushes water through a foam sponge that acts as a growing medium for beneficial bacteria and as a mechanical filtration stage. However, it’s not the best filter for a 20-gallon tank due to its limited size. Internal filters can be more aesthetic since these filters are fully submersible, which means you can hide them behind aquascaping elements. Canister filters are ideal for heavily stocked tanks since they can eliminate large quantities of waste. The water pressure can make canister filters more effective for removing debris, and it also increases the flow rate compared to a back filter. There are two pumps drawing the water out of the tank and pushing it back in, which means that pressurized water will go through the filtration media. A canister filter is somewhat similar to a hang-on-back filter, but this type of filter sits outside of the tank. The water will go through one or more filtration steps before a pump sends it back into the tank.Ĭanister filters are another popular option. These filters attach directly to the back of your tank and use a tube to draw the water into a filtration chamber. One of the most common types of filters you’ll find in 20-gallon tanks is hang-on-back filters. It’s important to choose the right type of filter and the right combination of filtration methods. What Type of Filter to Choose for a 20 Gallon Aquarium?Ī 20 gallon aquarium requires a filtration system adapted to a midsize tank.

Best Value for the Money: Aquaeon QuietFlow Canister Filter.Editor’s Choice: Aquaclear, Fish Tank Filter.Our Choice for Best Filters for 20 Gallon Fish Tanks.What Type of Filter to Choose for a 20 Gallon Aquarium?.
