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Top 5 Best Filters for Reef Tanks
Last updated on November 15th, 2024
Best Filter for Saltwater Tanks
This list of Reef Stable's top 5 filters for saltwater aquariums is what I believe to be the best filters that you can easily add to your reef tank and get the most benefits. This list includes biological, chemical, and mechanical filters and media. Though you may not need all of the filtration methods mentioned in this list, by starting to add these filtration methods, you will likely find yourself with clearer water and lower nutrients! Without making you wait any longer, let's dive in to the top 5 best filters for saltwater tanks.
5. Bio Bricks and Bio Plates
Starting out the list, number five on the Reef Stable best filters for saltwater tanks is the Bio Brick and Bio Plates. Bio bricks and plates are a biological filtration method that provides a really high amount of surface area for beneficial bacteria to grow. Placing the bio brick in your sump and just letting the beneficial bacteria grow and you will see reduced levels of nitrates and phosphates in your reef tank.
Providing approximately 71,000 square feet of surface area for beneficial bacteria to grow, and one brick being able to support up to 1,000 gallons of aquarium water, makes the Brightwell Aquatics Xport BIO Brick one of Reef Stable's best filters for saltwater tanks.
4. ROX 0.8 Activated Carbon
Number four on the list of Reef Stable's Best Filter for Saltwater Tanks is ROX 0.8 Activated Carbon chemical filtration. Activated carbon helps remove impurities in the reef tank, including unwanted chemicals, toxins, and some waste. Activated carbon is used to keep water crystal clear and odor free. Though the ROX 0.8 carbon is not the cheapest form or activated carbon for reef aquariums, it is important to remember that not all activated carbon is equal.
ROX 0.8 Carbon is a smaller, harder form of carbon that doesn't have the dust that other forms of carbon tend to produce. The smaller pores also tend not to clog as fast because it is only catching the small particles intended. This is at the cost of larger particles getting through however.
To learn more, read my article on chemical filtration here: Guide to Chemical Filtration in Saltwater Aquariums.
3. Protein Skimmer
Number three on the list of Reef Stable's Best Filter for Reef Tanks, and personally what I believe to be one of the most important methods of filtration, is the protein skimmer. Protein skimmers are classically one of the best, most important filters for saltwater aquariums. Though there has recently been a lot of debate around the necessity of protein skimmers, the advantages far out weight the cost. Not only do protein skimmers remove waste from the aquarium water, they also help add oxygen to the aquarium.
This oxygen is beneficial to both the fish and coral. The oxygen also helps remove CO2 and excess hydrogen from the water, improving pH. Though there are other ways to handle oxygen exchange in reef tanks, such as higher flow and Micro Bubble Scrubbing, adding a protein skimmer is a cheap, effective way to double down on benefits for your tank, making the protein skimmer one of Reef Stable's best filters for saltwater tanks.
2. Filter Socks
Number two on the list of Reef Stable's Best Filter for Reef Tanks is the filter sock. Filter sock are one of the simples, yet most effective methods of maintaining lower nutrients in your reef tank. The filter sock catches uneaten food and waste before it breaks down, so you can remove the waste before it breaks down and adds nitrates and phosphates to your saltwater aquarium.
It's important to remember that filter socks need to be changed every 2 to 3 days at most in order for them to work effectively. Every day would be even better. By keeping 7 or 8 filter socks around, you can simply wash them once per week and keep using them.
The smaller number of microns listed on a filter sock, the less that can flow through them. While filtering more, they can clog faster. 200 micron is the general standard, but 100 micron will clean even more. I linked both below for you to decide what is best for your reef tank.
For more information on filter socks and how to wash filter socks, see my other article: Guide to Mechanical Filtration in Saltwater Aquariums.
1. (Best Filter for Saltwater Tanks) Automatic Filter Roller
Finally, number one on the list of Reef Stable's Best Filter for Saltwater Tanks is the Automatic Filter Roller. The automatic filter roller works identically to the filter socks, but you don't have to worry about changing the socks every day! The automatic filter roller will catch the waste and roll it up as the filter clogs, and all you have to do it replace the roll when it's near the end. This filter removes waste before it can cause problems like algae outbreaks, saving you all sorts of time. With low maintenance, a lot of time savings, and high tech feel, the Automatic Filter Roller is the winner of Reef Stable's Best Filter for Saltwater Tanks!
Conclusion
Though you will not need all of the filters on this list, these are some of my favorite saltwater aquarium filters. They do serve different purposes, like biological or mechanical filtration. Some are for water clarity, and some for nutrient reduction. All of these filters serve a purpose though, and should be considered for any serious aquarist!
About the Author
John Krenzer
John is a Software Engineer with a passion for saltwater aquariums, as well as the founder and president of Reef Stable. He started in the aquarium hobby as a child with a 20 gallon freshwater aquarium. His interest in aquarium life grew and in 2008, John set up his first saltwater aquarium.
Today, John maintains an over 300 gallon reef tank system, consisting of a 120g reef and a 210g reef. These large tanks are contained within the same system, sharing a sump as a means to reduce total maintenance and increase total water volume.
John writes articles for the blog as a means to learn about more reef aquarium topics. These articles act as a reference for the readers as well as himself. John updates these articles frequently to provide additional information or make corrections as new information becomes available.
If you would like to request an article, tank tour article, or to collaborate, let me know via the Contact Me Page!
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