If you’re planning on getting GloFish, you might be asking yourself the question do GloFish need a filter? The short answer to this question is yes GloFish will need a filter. If you plan on keeping GloFish in a small fish tank we recommend you get a sponge filter (Amazon Link). For larger aquariums the Aqua Clear Power Filter (Amazon Link) would be the best option.
Why Do GloFish Need a Filter
GloFish need a filter in order to keep the water they swim in free of ammonia, nitrites, and any other contaminants. If you don’t provide your GloFish with adequate filtration, it can harm their health and eventually lead to their demise. The following sections go over the primary functions of a filter, and how each process helps maintain the quality of your aquarium’s water.
Mechanical Filtration
One of the simplest functions of an aquarium filter is to remove debris from the water. As fish waste and other detritus builds up you will need a way to remove these small particles from your aquarium. A filter will help remove some of these particles before they settle to the bottom of the tank and foul up the water.
Biological Filtration
The primary reason you want to have a filter on your fish tank is to process harmful substances like ammonia and nitrite. These chemicals are toxic to fish, and if they are not removed or processed somehow they are deadly to most aquarium inhabitants.
The way the biological filtration process works is by using bacteria to break down ammonia and nitrite into less harmful nitrate. The bacteria that are responsible for this process are called Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter. Nitrosomonas first oxidizes ammonia into nitrite, and then Nitrobacter breaks down the nitrite into nitrate. The leftover nitrate is less harmful to fish, and it can even be a benefit in planted aquariums.
Chemical Filtration
Chemical filtration plays an important role in removing any substances that are relatively hard for the other filtration media to remove from the water. Some of the things that a chemical filter removes are volatile organic compounds and certain medications.
Chemical filters generally use activated carbon to filter out some of these hard to remove substances. The activated carbon forms a chemical bond with these compounds in order to remove them from the water.
Once the activated carbon has become fully saturated it will need to be replaced since the chemical filtration process is not easily reversible. As long as you change your chemical filter media on a regular basis you can prevent volatile organic compounds from building up, which will help limit any smells that might be coming from your fish tank.
Water Flow
An aquarium filter will also help keep the water in your fish tank from becoming stagnant. No matter what type of filter you use they all will create a current in the water. This current will help oxygenate the water, which will benefit your fish and the bacteria that help clean the water. Having sufficient water flow will also help evenly distribute heat in your tank if you plan on running a heater.
Best Filters for GloFish
| Image | Name | Rating | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| | Aqua Clear Power Filter |  | |
 | Aqueon QuietFlow LED PRO Aquarium Power Filters | | |
 | MarineLand Penguin Power Filter w/Multi-Stage Filtration | | |
 | Aquaneat Bio Sponge Filter |  | |
 | AQUAPAPA Corner Filter | |
GloFish Tank Filters
Aqua Clear Power Filter
The Aqua Clear Power Filter (Buy Online) is one of the best hang on back power filters on the market. The Aqua Clear filter line can handle fish tanks that range from 10 to 110 gallons.
What really sets Aqua Clear Power Filters apart from most other filters on the market is their filtration media. Unlike other filters, each stage in the Aqua Clear Power Filter can be changed independently. That means you can change any one of the filter pads without having to disturb any of the others.
The Aqua Clear Power Filter has up to 7 times the capacity of other comparable filters on the market. It also has an adjustable flow rate, which is great if you want to control the current in your aquarium. In addition, the adjustable flow rate will allow you to save a little energy if you don’t need to run the filter at full power.
Overall if you want one of the easiest to maintain full-featured filters that can handle any size tank you can’t go wrong with the Aqua Clear Power Filter.
Aqueon QuietFlow LED PRO Aquarium Power Filters
The Aqueon QuietFlow LED PRO Aquarium Power Filter (Buy Online) is another good choice for a GloFish tank setup. Aqueon QuietFlow Power Filters come in a number of sizes that can handle fish tanks that range from 10 to 100 gallons.
Aqueon QuietFlow LED PRO Aquarium Power Filters use an all in one cartridge system to make filter changes as easy as possible. The only downside to the cartridge system is that you lose a lot of the bacteria in your filter when you change the media. Aqueon has taken this into consideration in their new filters by adding a secondary biological filter right on the overflow outlet.
One of the other unique features of the Aqueon QuietFlow LED PRO Aquarium Power Filter is the LED indicator light. This light will warn you when a filter change is necessary by glowing red. Some people do complain that the LED is a little finicky, so you should use it as a guide and not as a precise measurement.
MarineLand Penguin Power Filter w/Multi-Stage Filtration
The MarineLand Penguin Power Filter w/Multi-Stage Filtration (Buy Online) is another very popular power filter for medium to large aquariums. The MarineLand Penguin Power Filter Line can be used on tanks that range from 20 to 70 gallons.
MarineLand Penguin Power Filters use an all in one cartridge system like most power filters. These cartridges are made up of floss and activated carbon. The floss provides mechanical filtration, while the activated carbon removes any organic compounds from the water.
One of the most unique features found on the MarineLand Penguin Power Filter is the Bio-Wheel. The Bio-Wheel acts as a large biological filter that spins around in the outlet flow of the filter. This allows the bacteria on the Bio-Wheel to break down waste at peak efficiency since they are almost completely exposed to oxygen.
The only downside to the Bio-Wheel is that it can become jammed and clogged when it runs for long periods. In most cases, you can simply rinse off any of the debris that might be causing the problem, or you can replace the Bio-Wheel completely if you can’t easily resolve the jamming issue.
Tetra Whisper EX Silent Multi-Stage Power Filter
The Tetra Whisper EX Silent Multi-Stage Power Filter (Buy Online) will work perfectly on most GloFish tank setups. The Tetra Whisper EX Silent Line of filters can handle aquariums that range from 10 to 70 gallons.
These filters use a dual cartridge filtration system, so you can change one out without disturbing the other. The first cartridge houses the mechanical and chemical filtration media. As usual, the mechanical filtration is provided by a fine floss media, while chemical filtration is taken care of by activated carbon.
The second cartridge in this filter is the patented bio-scrubber. This cartridge provides a large surface area for bacteria to colonize. This filter media is made of durable soft plastic, so it won’t need to be replaced at all in most cases. The only maintenance you will need to do to keep the biological filter clean is to rinse off any detritus that builds up using dechlorinated water.
Aquaneat Bio Sponge Filter
The Aquaneat Bio Sponge Filter (Buy Online) is the perfect filter for a small GloFish aquarium. These sponge filters can either be purchased individually or in multi-packs if you want to save a little money on each filter. This particular sponge filter is made for a 10-gallon tank, but there are many different size sponge filters out there that will work on any size aquarium.
The real nice thing about sponge filters is that they only need an air pump to operate. The force of the air rising up through the outlet tube pulls water through the sponge which drives the filtration process. The sponge provides both mechanical and biological filtration in a simple and easy to maintain package. The porous nature of the sponge captures small particles from the water, and the sponge has ample surface area for bacteria to colonize.
The only thing that most sponge filters lack is chemical filtration. In most cases that is not that big of a deal, but if you do need a chemical filter then a power filter or a corner filter might be a better option.
Corner Filter
A Corner Filter (Buy Online) is one of the most tried and true filters for a small aquarium. These filters are an excellent choice if you have a small 5 to 10-gallon aquarium. They are also one of the more power efficient filters since they only need an air pump to operate.
A corner filter works just like a sponge filter does by using the force of rising air to draw water through the filter media. The one advantage corner filters have over sponge filters is that you can pack them with any kind of filter media.
That means if you need some added chemical filtration you can add activated carbon to a corner filter with no problems. You can also pick and choose from a wide range of mechanical and biological filtration media if you want to increase the performance and maintainability of the filter.
Another nice thing about a corner filter is that you can teach your kids about the inner workings of an aquarium filter. You can make packing the filter a little science project for your kids, and then go over each part of the filtration process with them.
![Best Filter for an Oscar Fish Tank Oscar fish are voracious eaters that can grow to be up to 14 inches long. They need a lot of space and a big tank, but they also need good filtration. This is because Oscars produce a large amount of waste for their size, which can quickly pollute the water if not managed properly. Read on to see the best filter for an Oscar fish tank. [toc] Best Filter for an Oscar Fish Tank ***TABLE**** Best Filter for an Oscar Fish Tank OASE Indoor Aquatics Biomaster Thermo 600 The Aquatics Biomaster Thermo 600 Filter (Buy Online) has everything you need to keep water clean and healthy for your fish, plus some cool extra features too. It comes with four different filtration stages that remove debris from the water so your tank stays clear and safe for your fish to live in. Plus, it has a built-in heater which keeps the temperature of your tank consistent so you don't have to worry about fluctuations or sudden changes affecting your fish. The OASE Indoor Aquatics Biomaster Thermo 600 is a reliable and high-quality filter that will keep your water crystal clear. It has four stages of filtration, including a pre-filter module for particle removal, two main filters to clean detritus from the water before it reaches the pump area, an activated carbon stage with 45 ppi pores to trap organic chemicals and reduce odors, and finally a polishing cartridge which traps any particles left after the other three stages have removed most of the large debris. Plus, it comes with Hel-X Biomedia that has an extremely large surface area for beneficial bacteria colonies that break down nitrogenous waste. Overall, this filter can be used on 70 to 160 gallon tanks, and if you want peace of mind about how well your tank is being filtered and heated – this canister filter is perfect for an Oscar tank. Eheim Pro 4+ 600 Filter The Eheim Pro 4+ 600 Filter (Buy Online) is the best filter for an oscar fish tank because it’s easy to use and maintain while providing a high level of filtration. It has a self-priming pump that makes starting up very simple, plus its safety hose adapter means you won’t have to worry about any accidents with this unit. We recommend going with their Pro 4+ model which has been designed specifically for tanks containing Oscars and other larger species of fish. This filter comes with everything you need including extra media baskets, spray bars, adjustable flow control valves, and more. Polar Aurora 4-Stage External Canister Filter 525GPH with 9-watt UV Light The Polar Aurora External Canister Filter (Buy Online) is an affordable yet high-quality canister filter and it has four stages of filtration (biological, mechanical, chemical and UV) that keep your fish tank crystal clear without taking up much space. If you have an Oscar Fish Tank, then you know that they are messy fish. They produce a lot of waste and your tank needs to be cleaned frequently. That's where this filter comes in handy. It can handle tanks up to 200 gallons and has a maximum flow rate of 525GPH from the built in pump. This is more than enough power for even the messiest Oscar Tanks. This unit also comes with three different media trays so you can use any type of filtration media you want - bio balls, sponges or ceramic rings. And not only does this filter provide excellent water filtration, it comes with a built in 9 Watt UV Light that allows it to easily control algae spores/bacteria and maintain clear water in your aquarium at all times. Fluval FX4 High Performance Canister Filter, External Aquarium Filter The Fluval FX4 (Buy Online) is an external filter designed specifically for aquariums housing oscars and other large tropical fish species like cichlids and catfish. There's also three different filtration stages included in this setup which will ensure that all the waste produced by your fish gets filtered out quickly leaving behind crystal clear water every time. The Fluval FX4 is the best aquarium filter on the market because it has a patented self-priming pump that moves 700 US Gal of water per hour. It also comes with all of the media you need to get started filtering your tank immediately after installation - no extra purchases necessary. This external aquarium filter is easy to install, maintain, and clean. With its multi-stage filtration process this canister filter removes harmful toxins from your water while providing superior mechanical filtration through three stages of bio-filtration using BioMax cartridges, activated carbon pads and biological ceramic rings . This powerful filter pumps out 700 US Gal (2650 L) of water per hour so it's perfect for even the largest freshwater or saltwater tanks up to 250 US Gal (900 L) Best Hang On Back Filter for an Oscar Fish Tank AquaClear Fish Tank Filter, Aquarium Filter for 60- to 110-Gallon Aquariums The AquaClear 110 (Buy Online) is a hang-on back filter that has an adjustable flow rate, and it'll last you for years. AquaClear filters make it easy, convenient, and affordable to keep your tank clean without all of the complexity and hassle of a canister filter. The AquaClear 110 filter has been designed with the hobbyist in mind; and it provides superior mechanical, chemical as well as biological filtration media at an unbeatable price point. It's ideal for aquariums up to 110 gallons (416 liters) in size and it has a flow rate of 500 U.S. gallons per hour (1,900 L/h). SeaChem – Large Aquarium Fish Tank Filter, Tidal 110 Gallon The SeaChem Tidal 110 Gallon Aquarium Filter (Buy Online) is one of the few hang on back filters specifically designed for Oscars and other larger tropical fish tanks (up to 110 gallons). This means that it has more than twice the capacity of other hang on back filters so there's no need to clean out debris as often. It also has an adjustable flow control valve - just set the dial where you want it and let the self-priming pump do its job. You can also use any kind of filtration media without worrying about clogging since the patented impeller design keeps everything running smoothly Best Sponge Filter for an Oscar Fish Tank Bacto-Surge Hikari Aquarium Solutions Foam Filter, 125 Gallons Bacto-Surge Foam Filters (Buy Online) are made from a durable foam material which allows them to last much longer than traditional sponge filters. They also don't require any electricity or have any moving parts, so you can use these as a cheap and reliable way to supplement the filtration in your Oscar tank. Best Under Gravel Filter for an Oscar Fish Tank Lee's 125/135 Premium Undergravel Filter, 18-Inch by 72-Inch Lee's 125/135 Premium Undergravel Filter (Buy Online) is the best you can get for an Oscar fish tank. It has a multi-level plate design made of high-quality plastic, so it lasts longer than standard models. And this under gravel filter can also be used to build an anoxic filter to lower nitrates, which improves overall water quality and it will also help keep your fish healthy and disease free. Best Filter Media for an Oscar Fish Tank Premium Authentic Pinky Filter Floss for Fish Tanks Premium Authentic Pinky Filter Floss for Fish Tanks (Buy Online) provides two layers of filtration to keep your tank cleaner & running more efficiently than ever before. It's made in the USA from high-quality materials that are safe for both fish and humans alike. It also reduces maintenance time because it lasts 2x as long as other brands on the market today. AQUANEAT Aquarium Filter Sponge Open Cell Foam Sheet Bio Sponge Filter Media Pad Aquaneat's Black Fine Filter Sponge (Buy Online) is made with natural materials that are non-toxic and safe for fish & plants. It provides mechanical filtration by trapping dirt particles in the pores of the sponge material so they do not get through into your aquarium water where they could cause harm to your aquatic pets. The open cell structure of the Aquaneat Sponge means you can simply rinse it under running water when needed instead of having to replace expensive filters every few weeks. And we've tested these pads with many different types of tanks and they are one of the most durable and economical ways to keep the water in a fish tank free of debris. Seachem Matrix, 4 L / 1 gal. Seachem Matrix (Buy Online) removes ammonia, nitrite and nitrate from the water column in freshwater tanks through a process called denitrification. It does this by providing an environment where beneficial bacteria thrive and convert harmful toxins into less harmful forms (even anoxic bacteria that break down nitrates). This process reduces stress on aquarium inhabitants by reducing their exposure to these toxins while also maintaining pristine water quality in your aquarium Eheim AEH2507051 Mech Filter Media for Aquarium, 1-Liter Eheim Ceramic Cylinders (Buy Online) are reusable so you don't have to waste money on disposable filter cartridges or sponges every time you clean your tank. Simply rinse them out in decholorinated water when they get clogged, and you can reuse them indefinitely. Oscar Fish Tank Size A 70 gallon tank will work for an Oscar, but it's better to keep them in a 100+ gallon tank. The bigger the better. More space promotes greater health while also keeping them happier which in turn reduces the risk of stress and disease. Oscar Fish Water Parameters Oscar Fish Water pH Level Oscars prefer water with a pH between 6 and 8, but they prefer slightly acidic water and they can live in water that has a pH as low as 5.5 quite comfortably. Oscar Fish Nitrite Level The nitrite level in your tank should be at 0 ppm once your tank has cycled. Nevertheless, a weekly 10% water change with fresh water from the tap is always good early on in the cycle to reduce nitrites. Oscar Fish Nitrate Level To keep your Oscar healthy you want to keep your nitrate levels between 10-40 ppm. It's important that you test the water with a Nitrate Test Kit (Buy Online) to ensure the nitrate levels in your tank aren't reaching dangerous levels. If the nitrates in your tank stay consistently over 40ppm, it’s time to clean or replace old filters, clean out uneaten food, vacuum the gravel, and do at least a 25% water change. Oscar Fish Water Temperature The ideal water temperature for Oscars is 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit (23 - 27 Celcius). It's important to remember that Oscar Fish are from the Amazon Rainforest and they need a heater in their tank especially during the winter time If you want to know what size heater you need for your tank you can use our Fish Tank Heater Calculator (Click Here) Oscar Fish Water Change Water changes are an essential part of fish keeping for any type of fish. This is especially true when you have larger fish like oscars that produce more waste. Water changes, or partial water changes, should be done every 1-2 weeks depending on how many fish you keep in your tank Why Is My Oscar Fish Tank Cloudy Fish tank water can become cloudy for a few reasons. The most usual is that the aquarium is either experiencing a bacteria bloom or there is algae in the water column. If this is the case, you’ll need to do a 50%-75% water change immediately. You can also use an inline UV filter if water changes and regular tank maintenance aren't getting control of your cloudy water problem. How To Keep an Oscar Fish Tank Clean Water Changes Vacuum the Gravel Bed Cleaning the Filter Removing uneaten food from tank Check for any algae growth on plants or glass walls of aquarium and clean as needed Test the water regularly Do Oscar Fish Need a Filter Yes, Oscar fish need a filter because they are messy eaters that produce a lot of waste. The filter helps with this issue and also improves the water quality by converting harmful ammonia into less toxic nitrates.](https://thepetsupplyguy.com/wp-content/uploads/Best-Filter-for-Oscar-Fish-Tank-464x290.jpg)