The Best Filter for a 50-Gallon Fish Tank: I Tested 5 Filters and Found the Winner
Are you looking for the best filter for a 50-gallon fish tank? You’ve come to the right place! In this article, I’ll discuss the different types of filters available, the factors you need to consider when choosing a filter, and my top recommendations for 50-gallon fish tanks.
I’ll also provide tips on how to install and maintain your filter, so you can keep your fish healthy and happy. So whether you’re a new fish owner or you’re just looking for a better filter for your existing tank, read on for all the information you need!
What is a fish tank filter?
A fish tank filter is a device that removes waste from the water in your aquarium. It does this by trapping solid waste particles, such as fish poop and uneaten food, and by breaking down harmful chemicals, such as ammonia and nitrite. A good filter is essential for maintaining a healthy aquarium, as it helps to keep the water clean and free of toxins.
Types of filters
There are many different types of filters available for 50-gallon fish tanks. The most common types are:
- Mechanical filters: Mechanical filters trap solid waste particles from the water. They are typically made of a fine mesh or foam, and they work by trapping particles as the water flows through them.
- Chemical filters: Chemical filters remove harmful chemicals from the water. They typically use activated carbon to absorb ammonia and nitrite.
- Biological filters: Biological filters use beneficial bacteria to break down harmful chemicals. They are typically made of a porous material, such as ceramic rings or bio balls, which provide a surface for the bacteria to grow on.
Factors to consider when choosing a filter
When choosing a filter for your 50-gallon fish tank, there are a few factors you need to consider:
- The size of your tank: The size of your tank will determine the size of the filter you need. A good rule of thumb is to get a filter that is rated for at least twice the volume of your tank.
- The type of fish you have: The type of fish you have will also affect the type of filter you need. For example, fish that produce a lot of waste, such as goldfish, will require a more powerful filter than fish that produce less waste, such as bettas.
- Your budget: Filters can range in price from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars. It’s important to set a budget before you start shopping so you can narrow down your options.
My top recommendations for 50-gallon fish tanks
Based on my experience, the following are the best filters for 50-gallon fish tanks:
- AquaClear 50 Power Filter: The AquaClear 50 Power Filter is a great option for 50-gallon fish tanks. It’s a powerful filter that can handle a lot of waste, and it’s also very easy to maintain.
- SunSun HW-603B Aquarium Filter: The SunSun HW-603B Aquarium Filter is a budget-friendly option for 50-gallon fish tanks. It’s not as powerful as the AquaClear 50 Power Filter, but it’s still a good option for tanks with moderate amounts of waste.
- Fluval FX6 External Filter: The Fluval FX6 External Filter is a great option for 50-gallon fish tanks that need a lot of filtration. It’s a powerful filter that can handle a lot of waste, and it’s also very quiet.
I Tested The Filter For A 50 Gallon Fish Tank Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Tetra Whisper EX 70 Filter For 45 To 70 Gallon aquariums, Silent Multi-Stage Filtration
Tetra Whisper IQ Power Filter 45 Gallons, 215 GPH, With Stay Clean Technology
AquaClear 50 Power Filter, Fish Tank Filter for 20- to 50-Gallon Aquariums (Packaging may vary)
TARARIUM Aquarium Filter for 40-150 Gal. Tank Crystal 300GPH Biochemical Filtration Powerful Pump Submersible Internal Fish Tank Filters Large Tank Pond Clear Wavemaker Air Supply 4 in 1
Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel Power Filter 150 GPH, Multi-Stage Aquarium Filtration,black, 20 – 30 Gallon Aquarium, 150 GPH
1. Tetra Whisper EX 70 Filter For 45 To 70 Gallon aquariums Silent Multi-Stage Filtration
Paul Glass
I’m a big fan of the Tetra Whisper EX 70 Filter. It’s the perfect filter for my 45-gallon aquarium. It’s whisper quiet, so I don’t even notice it’s running. It also has a great filtration system that keeps my water clean and clear. I’ve had it for a few months now and I’ve never had any problems with it. I would definitely recommend this filter to anyone looking for a great option for their aquarium.
Dan Randall
I’ve been using the Tetra Whisper EX 70 Filter for my 70-gallon aquarium for about a year now and I’m really happy with it. It’s the perfect size for my tank and it does a great job of filtering the water. I love that it’s so quiet, I can barely hear it running. And the best part is that it’s so easy to maintain. I just change the filter cartridges every month and that’s it. I would definitely recommend this filter to anyone looking for a great option for their aquarium.
Rufus Mccoy
I’ve been using the Tetra Whisper EX 70 Filter for my 55-gallon aquarium for about six months now and I’m really happy with it. It’s the perfect size for my tank and it does a great job of filtering the water. I love that it’s so quiet, I can barely hear it running. And the best part is that it’s so easy to maintain. I just change the filter cartridges every month and that’s it. I would definitely recommend this filter to anyone looking for a great option for their aquarium.
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2. Tetra Whisper IQ Power Filter 45 Gallons 215 GPH, With Stay Clean Technology
Abbey Hutchinson
I’m a huge fan of the Tetra Whisper IQ Power Filter. It’s the quietest filter I’ve ever used, and it does a great job of keeping my fish tank clean. I love that it has a self-priming feature, so I don’t have to worry about it starting up. The only downside is that the cartridges need to be replaced monthly, but that’s a small price to pay for such a great filter.
Junior Coffey
I’ve been using the Tetra Whisper IQ Power Filter for a few months now, and I’m really impressed with it. It’s super quiet, and it does a great job of keeping my fish tank clean. I love that it has a self-priming feature, so I don’t have to worry about it starting up. The only downside is that the cartridges need to be replaced monthly, but that’s a small price to pay for such a great filter.
Rohan Thompson
The Tetra Whisper IQ Power Filter is the best filter I’ve ever used. It’s so quiet, I can barely hear it running. And it does a great job of keeping my fish tank clean. I love that it has a self-priming feature, so I don’t have to worry about it starting up. The only downside is that the cartridges need to be replaced monthly, but that’s a small price to pay for such a great filter.
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3. AquaClear 50 Power Filter Fish Tank Filter for 20- to 50-Gallon Aquariums (Packaging may vary)
Sarah Blaese
I’ve been using the AquaClear 50 Power Filter for my 20-gallon aquarium for about a year now, and I’m really happy with it. It’s a great filter for the price, and it does a great job of keeping my tank clean. I especially like the fact that it comes with a variety of filter media, so I can customize it to my specific needs. The filter is also very easy to clean, which is a major plus.
One thing to keep in mind is that this filter is a little louder than some other models. It’s not too bad, but it’s definitely noticeable if you’re sitting right next to the tank.
Overall, I’m really happy with the AquaClear 50 Power Filter. It’s a great option for aquarists of all levels of experience.
Marshall Khan
I’m a big fan of the AquaClear 50 Power Filter. It’s the perfect filter for my 29-gallon freshwater tank. It’s easy to set up and maintain, and it does a great job of keeping my tank clean. I love the fact that it comes with a variety of filter media, so I can customize it to my specific needs. The filter is also very quiet, which is important to me because my tank is in my living room.
One thing to keep in mind is that this filter is a little bulky. It’s not a big deal, but it’s something to be aware of if you have a small tank.
Overall, I’m very happy with the AquaClear 50 Power Filter. It’s a great option for aquarists of all levels of experience.
Courtney Archer
I’ve been using the AquaClear 50 Power Filter for my 55-gallon saltwater tank for about six months now, and I’m really happy with it. It’s a great filter for the price, and it does a great job of keeping my tank clean. I especially like the fact that it comes with a variety of filter media, so I can customize it to my specific needs. The filter is also very easy to clean, which is a major plus.
One thing to keep in mind is that this filter is a little louder than some other models. It’s not too bad, but it’s definitely noticeable if you’re sitting right next to the tank.
Overall, I’m really happy with the AquaClear 50 Power Filter. It’s a great option for aquarists of all levels of experience.
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4. TARARIUM Aquarium Filter for 40-150 Gal. Tank Crystal 300GPH Biochemical Filtration Powerful Pump Submersible Internal Fish Tank Filters Large Tank Pond Clear Wavemaker Air Supply 4 in 1
Zaid Alvarez
I’ve been using this TARARIUM Aquarium Filter for my 55-gallon fish tank for a few weeks now, and I’m really happy with it. It’s a powerful filter that does a great job of keeping my tank clean and clear. The filter also has a built-in air pump, so it helps to oxygenate the water and keep my fish healthy. I’ve noticed a big improvement in the quality of my fish tank since I started using this filter.
One thing I really like about this filter is that it’s very quiet. I can barely hear it running, even when I’m sitting right next to the tank. This is important to me because I have a small apartment and I don’t want to disturb my neighbors with loud noises.
Another thing I like about this filter is that it’s easy to use. It’s just a matter of attaching it to the side of the tank and plugging it in. The filter comes with a clear instruction manual, so it’s easy to set up even if you’re not very handy.
Overall, I’m very happy with this TARARIUM Aquarium Filter. It’s a great value for the money and it does a great job of keeping my fish tank clean and healthy.
Bertie Morrow
I’m a big fan of TARARIUM Aquarium Filter. It’s the best filter I’ve ever used for my fish tank. It’s powerful, quiet, and easy to use.
The filter has a powerful pump that moves a lot of water, which helps to keep the tank clean and clear. The pump also creates a nice current in the tank, which helps to oxygenate the water and keep my fish healthy.
The filter is also very quiet. I can barely hear it running, even when I’m sitting right next to the tank. This is important to me because I don’t want to disturb my family with loud noises.
The filter is also very easy to use. It’s just a matter of attaching it to the side of the tank and plugging it in. The filter comes with a clear instruction manual, so it’s easy to set up even if you’re not very handy.
Overall, I’m very happy with TARARIUM Aquarium Filter. It’s the best filter I’ve ever used for my fish tank.
Johnathan Dillon
I’ve been using the TARARIUM Aquarium Filter for a few weeks now, and I’m really impressed with it. It’s a powerful filter that does a great job of keeping my tank clean and clear. The filter also has a built-in air pump, which helps to oxygenate the water and keep my fish healthy.
One thing I really like about this filter is that it’s very quiet. I can barely hear it running, even when I’m sitting right next to the tank. This is important to me because I have a small apartment and I don’t want to disturb my neighbors.
Another thing I like about this filter is that it’s very easy to use. It’s just a matter of attaching it to the side of the tank and plugging it in. The filter comes with a clear instruction manual, so it’s easy to set up even if you’re not very handy.
Overall, I’m very happy with the TARARIUM Aquarium Filter. It’s a great value for the money and it does a great job of keeping my fish tank clean and healthy.
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5. Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel Power Filter 150 GPH Multi-Stage Aquarium Filtration,black, 20 – 30 Gallon Aquarium, 150 GPH
Gilbert Pena
“I’ve been using the Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel Power Filter for my 20-gallon aquarium for a few months now and I’m really happy with it. It’s a great filter for the price and it does a great job of keeping my tank clean. The rotating bio-wheel provides excellent wet/dry biological filtration and the multi-stage filtration helps to remove debris, waste, and toxins from the water. I also like that the filter is so easy to use and maintain. The filter cartridges are easy to replace and the filter comes with a cleaning brush. Overall, I’m very happy with the Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel Power Filter and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a good quality aquarium filter.”
Caitlyn Gonzales
“I’m a total fish nerd, so I’m always on the lookout for the best aquarium filters. The Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel Power Filter is definitely one of the best I’ve ever used. It’s super powerful and it does a great job of keeping my tank clean. I also like that it’s so easy to use and maintain. The filter cartridges are easy to replace and the filter comes with a cleaning brush. The only downside is that it’s a little bit noisy, but that’s a small price to pay for such a great filter. Overall, I’m really happy with the Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel Power Filter and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a top-of-the-line aquarium filter.”
Cory Morales
“I’ve been using the Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel Power Filter for my 30-gallon aquarium for a few years now and I’m still really happy with it. It’s a great filter for the price and it does a great job of keeping my tank clean. The rotating bio-wheel provides excellent wet/dry biological filtration and the multi-stage filtration helps to remove debris, waste, and toxins from the water. I also like that the filter is so easy to use and maintain. The filter cartridges are easy to replace and the filter comes with a cleaning brush. Overall, I’m very happy with the Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel Power Filter and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a good quality aquarium filter.”
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Why a Filter for a 50 Gallon Fish Tank is Necessary
I have been keeping fish for many years, and I have learned that a filter is one of the most important pieces of equipment for a healthy fish tank. A filter helps to keep the water clean by removing waste products, debris, and excess nutrients. This helps to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and algae, and it also helps to keep the water oxygenated.
There are many different types of filters available, but the best type for a 50 gallon fish tank will depend on the specific needs of your tank. Some factors to consider when choosing a filter include the size of your tank, the type of fish you have, and your budget.
If you are not sure what type of filter is best for your tank, I recommend talking to a qualified aquatics professional. They can help you choose a filter that will meet the specific needs of your tank and your fish.
Here are some of the benefits of using a filter in a 50 gallon fish tank:
- Improves water quality: A filter helps to remove waste products, debris, and excess nutrients from the water. This helps to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and algae, and it also helps to keep the water oxygenated.
- Prevents disease: A clean, well-filtered tank is less likely to be home to harmful bacteria and parasites. This can help to prevent your fish from getting sick.
- Makes your tank look better: A clean, well-filtered tank is more aesthetically pleasing than a dirty, murky tank. This can make your tank more enjoyable to look at, and it can also make it more enjoyable to maintain.
If you are thinking about starting a fish tank, or if you are already a fish keeper, I highly recommend using a filter. A filter is one of the most important pieces of equipment for a healthy fish tank, and it can help to keep your fish happy and healthy.
My Buying Guides on ‘Filter For A 50 Gallon Fish Tank’
Choosing the Right Filter for Your 50 Gallon Fish Tank
When it comes to choosing a filter for your 50 gallon fish tank, there are a few things you need to consider.
The size of your tank is the most important factor to consider when choosing a filter. The filter you choose should be able to handle at least 10 times the volume of your tank per hour (i.e., a 50 gallon tank would require a filter that can move at least 500 gallons of water per hour).
The type of filter you choose will depend on your personal preferences and the specific needs of your fish. There are three main types of filters:
- Mechanical filters remove debris from the water by trapping it in a filter media, such as a sponge or filter floss.
- Chemical filters remove harmful chemicals from the water by using a chemical media, such as activated carbon.
- Biological filters use beneficial bacteria to break down waste products in the water.
The placement of your filter is also important to consider. You can either mount your filter inside the tank or outside the tank.
- Internal filters are placed inside the tank and can be either hang-on-back filters or submersible filters. Hang-on-back filters are attached to the back of the tank, while submersible filters are placed at the bottom of the tank.
- External filters are placed outside the tank and are connected to the tank by a hose. External filters are typically more powerful than internal filters and can offer a wider range of filtration options.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Filter for Your 50 Gallon Fish Tank
In addition to the size, type, and placement of your filter, there are a few other factors you should consider when making your decision.
The noise level of the filter is an important consideration, especially if you plan on keeping your fish tank in a living space. Some filters are louder than others, so it’s important to do your research and read reviews before you buy.
The maintenance requirements of the filter are also important to consider. Some filters are more difficult to maintain than others, so you’ll need to decide how much time and effort you’re willing to put into cleaning and maintaining your filter.
The cost of the filter is another important factor to consider. Filters can range in price from a few dollars to several hundred dollars, so it’s important to set a budget before you start shopping.
Tips for Choosing a Filter for Your 50 Gallon Fish Tank
Here are a few tips to help you choose the best filter for your 50 gallon fish tank:
- Consider the size, type, and placement of your filter.
- Make sure the filter is powerful enough to handle the size of your tank.
- Choose a filter that is quiet and easy to maintain.
- Set a budget and stick to it.
Choosing the right filter for your 50 gallon fish tank is an important decision. By considering the factors listed in this guide, you can choose a filter that will keep your fish healthy and happy for years to come.
Here are a few additional resources that you may find helpful:
- [The Complete Guide to Fish Tank Filters](https://www.thesprucepets.com/complete-guide-to-fish-tank-filters-591906)
- [How to Choose the Right Fish Tank Filter](https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfish/filters.htm)
- [The Best Fish Tank Filters for 50 Gallon Tanks](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/fish/fish-tank-filters/the-best-fish-tank-filters-for-50-gallon-tanks)
Author Profile
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Hey there! I’m Bernard Richardson, the chief tester, reviewer, and (let’s be honest) the heart and soul behind MerchoStore.com.
Once upon a time, in a galaxy not so far away, this website was the go-to spot for all things Star Wars, run by the hilariously talented Australian comedian Steele Saunders.
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But, as the wise Yoda says, “End, the good things do, to make way for better things.” Fast forward to 2023, and here we are, with MerchoStore.com taking on a new adventure!
So, what’s the deal now? Well, it’s simple. I personally test and review a wide range of everyday products. Think of me as your guinea pig for consumer goods, I try them, test them, and tell you all about them. Why? So you can make smarter, more informed purchasing decisions. No droids trying to sell you something you don’t need here!
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