5 Best Filters for Saltwater Tanks

5. Bio Brick

Starting out the list, number five on the Reef Stable best filters for saltwater tanks is the Bio Brick. The bio brick is a set it and forget it biological filtration method that provides surface area for good 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 - Dimpled 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 the ROX 0.8 Activated Carbon chemical filtration. Activated carbon helps remove impurities in the reef tank, including unwanted chemicals and some waste. Activated carbon is also 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. 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 Saltwater Tanks is the protein skimmer. Protein skimmers are classically one of the best, most important filters for saltwater tanks. 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, it also helps add oxygen to the aquarium. This helps your coral grow and fish breath. Though there are other ways to handle the oxygen exchange demands of the tank, such as higher flow and Micro Bubble Scrubbing in the Reef Aquarium, 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 Saltwater Tanks is the filter sock. The filter sock is one of the simples, yet most effective methods of maintaining low nutrients in your reef tank. The filter sock catches uneaten food and waste before it breaks down, so you can remove it before it adds nitrates and phosphates to your aquarium. It is important to remember that filter socks need to be removed every other day at most in order for them to work effectively, every day would be even more beneficial. By keeping 7 or 8 filter socks around, you can simply wash them once per week and keep using them. 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 saltwater 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 roll the waste up as the filter clogs, and all you have to do it replace the roll as it is used. It would be a good idea to keep an extra roll or two around, but other than that, this filter removed waste before it can cause problems such as algae outbreaks in your tank. With the low maintenance, high return of benefits, and high tech feel, makes the Automatic Filter Roller is the clear winner of Reef Stable's Best Filter for Saltwater Tanks in 2020!

Conclusion

Aiming to provide a list of the BEST filtration available for reef tanks, these 5 top my list! Though you will not need both filter socks and roller mats, they both have their benefits. The others can call be used alongside each other! With this list of filtration methods, and a strong maintenance routine, you are likely to have more success than you would expect!

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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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