Goldfish are known as messy fish, but many first-time goldfish owners often underestimate how dirty the fish can be. Filtration is the most vital tool to maintain water quality and keep your goldfish healthy. If you’re keeping more than one or two goldfish in a tank, it’s a good idea to size up the filter so it’s rated higher than the tank size.
However, you want a powerful filter that will keep your water clean, reduce waste products, and allow beneficial bacteria to colonize. Our reviews cover the best filters for your goldfish tank to help you pick one that meets your needs.
When it comes to keeping messy goldfish, the best overall filter option is the SUNSUN Aquarium UV Sterilizer Canister Filter. This filter is available in three sizes and features a built-in UV sterilizer and 5-stage filtration. The UV sterilizer has a separate on/off switch, so you can run it as needed and turn it off when not needed without stopping tank filtration. UV sterilizers are used to kill free-floating algae and parasites in the water.
Canister filters may seem overwhelming if you’ve never used one before, but the learning curve is quick, and they require far less frequent cleaning and maintenance than hang-on back filters. The included instructions are thorough to make setup easy.
The upkeep level would be considered moderate because shutting the filter down, disconnecting the hoses, and cleaning all three filter trays can be a big task. The filter trays are deep enough for you to customize with your own filter media, but it does come with filter floss to get you started. A downside to this filter is that the hoses are green, so you cannot see algae and biofilm growth in them.
Pros
Three sizes available
Includes UV sterilizer with separate on/off switch
Five-stage filtration
Thorough setup instructions included
Includes three deep filter media trays
Includes filter floss and all necessary equipment to get started
Requires cleaning and maintenance every 1-2 months
For a powerful hang-on back filter (HOB), the Marineland Bio-Wheel Emperor Power Filter is a great pick and the best filter for goldfish for the money. This filter is available in six sizes for tanks from 10-90 gallons and is powerful enough for the messiest goldfish. It features 3-stage filtration and offers a unique Bio-Wheel with a large surface area for beneficial bacteria colonization. As the water flows back into the tank from the filter, it passes over the Bio-Wheel, creating a gentle water flow. This filter includes the filter floss, activated carbon filter cartridges, and a Bio-Wheel to get you started.
HOB filters tend to require frequent cartridge replacements, which should be done carefully to avoid crashing the tank’s cycle. You may choose to use your own filter media so you can change the cartridges less frequently. The Bio-Wheel will require a replacement a couple of times per year, but the filter will likely need cleaning every 1-2 weeks.
Pros
Six sizes available
Three-stage filtration
Unique Bio-Wheel feature
Easy setup
Easy maintenance
Includes first filter cartridges to get started
Cons
Requires cleaning and filter cartridge replacement every couple of weeks
Bio-Wheel can only be replaced with brand-specific part
The Penn-Plax Cascade Aquarium Canister Filter is a powerful canister filter that’s available in four sizes. This canister filter includes deep filter media trays and startup filter media. This filter also includes all connectors and hoses to get you set up. It has a push-button primer and rubber feet to prevent tipping. Like most canister filters, the upkeep and cleaning of this filter will only need to be done every 1-2 months, but it is moderately difficult when it does need to be done.
The hoses included with this filter are solid-colored, so you are not able to see the algae and biofilm buildup inside the hoses, and you’ll avoid the unsightly “dirty” look. There are no bells and whistles on this filter, but it is a powerful, high-quality filter. It doesn’t come with very thorough setup instructions, but YouTube videos can be a great setup resource.
Pros
Four sizes available
Three-stage filtration
Includes deep filter media trays
Includes startup filter media and all connectors and hoses to get started
Requires cleaning and maintenance every 1-2 months
Solid-colored hoses
Cons
Moderate upkeep difficulty
Doesn’t include thorough setup instructions
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The AquaClear Power Filter is a powerful HOB filter that comes in a variety of sizes for tanks up to 110 gallons. This filter is a lightly tinted clear grey-blue color that allows you to see when the filter needs cleaning and maintenance. It comes with startup filter media that provides 3-stage filtration. You can purchase separate filter media that helps with lowering nitrate levels, ammonia levels, and other specific issues. The filter media sits in a basket inside the body of the filter and cleaning and maintenance is as easy as lifting the basket out, cleaning or replacing filter media, and dropping the basket back in. You will need to clean the intake, impeller, and other parts of the filter on occasion. This filter includes a simple switch that allows you to control the flow of water back into your tank.
This filter operates quietly, but if not kept well-cleaned and well-maintained, it will become noisy. This filter does self-prime, so it will not burn out the motor if turned on without water in it.
Pros
Five sizes available
Three-stage filtration
Includes startup filter media
Filter media basket makes basic maintenance easy
Easy to see when cleaning and maintenance are needed
Self-priming
Cons
May become noisy without proper cleaning and maintenance
Requires cleaning and filter cartridge replacement every couple of weeks
The Fluval C-Series Power Filter is a hang-on back filter available in three size options. It offers 5-stage filtration and has a unique biological trickle chamber that passes water through a filtration area well colonized with beneficial bacteria. This filter recirculates water through it multiple times before returning it to the tank for thorough filtration. It also has a pop-up indicator that lets you know when to clean and maintain the filter media. Startup filter media is included with this filter.
The manufacturer recommends a schedule of filter media and part replacement that ranges from every 2 weeks for the carbon filter media to annually for the O-ring in the filter. Filter maintenance is moderately difficult due to the multiple filter media chambers that require cleaning and media replacement. This filter also can run slightly noisy, so it’s not a good option for places like bedrooms.
Pros
Three sizes available
Five-stage filtration
Includes startup filter media
Special biological trickle chamber colonizes beneficial bacteria
Water recirculation thoroughly cleans and clears water
Pop-up indicator helps you know when it’s time for cleaning and maintenance
The Tetra Whisper IQ Power Filter is a unique filter system with special bio-scrubbers that colonize beneficial bacteria, remove ammonia and nitrites, and never require replacement.
This filter is available in four sizes and is self-priming. It includes startup filter media and features a carbon cartridge door that makes filter cartridge changes easy. The filter cartridges are designed to minimize dripping, so maintenance is easy and less messy than many other filters.
Filter cartridges are specific to this filter design and should be replaced monthly or more frequently. Although Tetra’s unique sound barrier reduces noise, the unit can become noisier and vibrate more over time.
Pros
Available in five sizes
Includes startup filter media
Bio-scrubbers never require replacement
Self-priming
Cartridges minimize dripping
Cons
Requires cleaning and cartridge replacement every few weeks
Filter cartridges are specific to this filter design
The Seachem Tidal Aquarium Power Filter is an HOB filter with multiple bonus features. This self-priming filter includes a self-cleaning impeller and surface skimmer to remove oils on the water’s surface. The built-in maintenance alert lets you know when it’s time to clean the filter or replace filter media. The filter media basket holds a wide variety of filter media, so you can customize your filter media. This filter operates quietly, making it a good option for places like bedrooms.
The maintenance alert in this filter tends to be somewhat sensitive and will pop up quickly, even if it isn’t quite time for cleaning and maintenance. This often leads to poor filtration and low flow, sometimes even leading to water bypassing the filter media and going straight into the tank.
Pros
Three sizes available
Three-stage filtration
Multiple bonus features
Includes startup filter media
Filter media basket allows for media customization
Operates quietly
Cons
Maintenance alert is sensitive
Will not adequately filter without proper maintenance
Sometimes allows for low flow and water bypasses filtration
Requires cleaning and media replacement every couple of weeks
The EHEIM External Aquarium Canister Filter is available in five sizes up to 500 gallons, making it a great pick for large tanks. This filter includes startup filter media, the valves and hoses needed for installation, and thorough setup instructions. The EHEIM filter helps improve your tank’s oxygen levels via the water return spray bar. The pump head features a silicone elastic ring that prevents leaks.
This filter is a premium price, and priming is either done by sucking on the tubing or by a unique tool that is not included with the pump and may be difficult to acquire. It also may be difficult to get replacement parts or filter media as needed. The included tubing is solid-colored, so you don’t have to see the buildup in the hoses. This filter doesn’t have filter media baskets, and the filter media stack on top of each other, so cleaning and maintenance may be more difficult than other canister filters, especially for the larger sizes.
Pros
Five sizes available
Three-stage filtration
Includes startup filter media
Includes all valves and hoses to get started
Thorough setup instructions included
Improves oxygenation and has a silicone elastic seal
Only requires cleaning and maintenance every 1-2 months
Cons
Premium price
Priming requires special tool or sucking on tubing
May be difficult to find replacement parts or media
If you’re looking for a sponge filter, the Hygger Sponge Filter is a perfect pick. If you’re unfamiliar with sponge filters, they are a great addition to a tank with thorough filtration. Sponge filters help remove some solid waste from the water, but their primary purpose is to colonize beneficial bacteria. This sponge filter comes in a single sponge and double sponge, and both include bio-ball filter media that sit in the base for additional bacteria colonization.
A single sponge will work well for tanks under 40 gallons, and a double sponge is ideal for tanks 40 gallons and above. These require minimal upkeep and cleaning, usually needing little more than a rinse and squeeze in dirty tank water occasionally. This filter is not a replacement for a full filter, though. The sponge filter requires an air pump and tubing but does not include them, so they must be purchased separately.
The Penn-Plax Cascade Internal Aquarium Filter is a good pick if you’re interested in an internal tank filter. Internal filters are a better option for smaller tanks and tanks that aren’t overstocked, but they are easily disguised within the tank. This filter is available in two sizes and offers 3-stage filtration with included filter media. Setup and maintenance are easy, and this filter allows you to customize your filter media. It consists of a pump head with adjustable water flow.
Internal filters require the same cleaning and maintenance schedule as HOB filters, and this filter will need cleaning and maintenance every couple of weeks. It is best used in conjunction with a more powerful filtration system. The Penn-Pax Cascade can be noisy, and it may be difficult to get it to run on the initial setup. This is due to air in the impeller, so you may have to submerge it and attempt to run it a few times before it will work.
Pros
Two sizes available
Three-stage filtration
Pump head with adjustable flow
Easy setup and maintenance
Includes startup filter media but can be customized
Cons
Won’t replace a full filter in most tanks
May take multiple attempts to get started
May be noisy
Requires cleaning and maintenance every couple of weeks
Not a good option for overstocked or large tanks
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Filter for Goldfish
Choosing the Right Filter for Your Goldfish Tank
Tank Size
The size of your tank is one consideration when choosing the right filter. For messy goldfish, you need a filter that is marked for no less than the size of the tank. A 55-gallon tank shouldn’t have a filter for a 40-gallon tank. A filter that is too small will not adequately filter toxins from the water, leading to a dangerous buildup of ammonia, nitrites, and nitrate.
Goldfish produce a large bioload in an aquarium, and your filter should be able to handle that. This is a big reason why sponge filters are acceptable in low-bioload tanks, like shrimp tanks, but not in heavy-bioload tanks, like goldfish tanks.
Number of Fish
The number of fish in your tank will correlate to how much filtration you need. A single goldfish in a 55-gallon tank will probably be perfectly fine with a filter for a 55-gallon tank. However, four goldfish in a 55-gallon tank will likely require a filter for a 70-gallon tank or more. Remember that you will almost certainly not over-filtrate your tank, but you can easily under-filtrate your tank.
Types of Fish
Obviously, we’re discussing goldfish here, but what else is living with your goldfish? Dojo loaches create a relatively heavy bioload, but snails don’t. If you just have goldfish in your tank, you should consider that when choosing your filter. If you have goldfish and a mix of other fish or invertebrates, the type of tank mates and their bioload should be considered in your decision.
Other factors you should consider when choosing a filter are the type and number of plants in your tank, the availability of filter media and parts, and whether or not you already have filtration present in the tank.
Filtration Stages and What They Do
Mechanical: This filtration stage refers to the filter floss and sponges that catch large particles of physical waste. Mechanical filtration removes fish waste, plant matter, and leftover food from the water.
Chemical: This stage of filtration refers to activated carbon, which helps remove smells and purify the water. Other chemical filtration options can help remove ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and phosphorus. Each tank may have different chemical filtration needs based on parameters.
Biological: This filtration stage refers to the healthy colonies of beneficial bacteria that live inside filters and other parts of the tank where there is water flow. Beneficial bacteria, called nitrifying bacteria, consume ammonia and nitrites for energy, removing them from the water and leaving you with an improved water quality. Beneficial bacteria may be the most important part of a tank’s cycle, so ensure you don’t remove all of your beneficial bacteria at one time.
How We Determined This List of Best Filters for Goldfish
All the filters reviewed in this article were chosen by our writers, editors, and team of experienced veterinary professionals to ensure that they are safe and meet the care needs of your pet. When choosing which filters to feature, we took into account brand reputation, personal and hands-on experience, reviews from other customers, and of course, feedback from our beloved pets, to make sure to bring you only the best of the best. We at PangoVet want to give you only the best products to choose from in our reviews, to ensure that they meet your pets’ needs for optimal health and well-being.
Why Trust PangoVet?
We are a team of experienced veterinarians, writers, and editors who are pet owners ourselves, so we understand how important your pets and the products they use and consume are to you. Whether you are caring for a furry, scaly, or feathered friend, we make sure that you have honest and unbiased reviews of the top filters on the market, so you can make an informed decision.
Final Thoughts
For the best filters for your goldfish tank, the SUNSUN Aquarium UV Canister Filter is an excellent pick for UV sterilization in your filter. The Marineland Bio-Wheel Emperor Power Filter is the top pick for HOB filters, and the Penn-Plax Cascade Aquarium Canister Filter is the top pick for a basic canister filter without special features. These reviews cover the 10 best filters for your goldfish tank, but finding the perfect one may take trial and error. Purchase filters with strong warranties and return policies that will allow for replacement if your first filter choice doesn’t suit your needs.
Brooke Billingsley, who spent nine years as a veterinary assistant before transitioning to nursing in a hospital in 2013. Brooke currently resides in Arkansas with her boyfriend of five years. An avid animal lover, she shares her home with three dogs, two cats, five fish, and two snails. She has a particular affection for special needs animals, caring for a three-legged senior dog and an internet-famous cat with acromegaly and cerebellar hypoplasia. Brooke is passionate about fish keeping and is always learning how to provide the best care for her aquarium pets. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and maintains a veggie garden in the summer. She also hosts a podcast about folklore and myth, dedicating her spare time to research and writing. Brooke is committed to lifelong learning and strives daily to acquire new skills and knowledge.
