Filters for a 10 gallon tank

24 filters in our catalog are sized for a 10 gallon tank by their makers’ own ratings. No scores: the ones built for bigger tanks, and the ones that are out, follow with the reason.

5 gal10 gal20 gal29 gal40 gal55 gal75 gal

For a betta tankFor a shrimp tank

Sized for a 10 gallon tank

Filters rated for 10 gallons, smallest rating first; turnover is the maker’s flow divided by 10 gallons
ModelRated forMoves your waterRoom it needs
hygger AquaFall Aquarium Filter, S
Hang-on-back
7–10 gal16× an hour (160 GPH at most)3 in deep, behind the tank
hygger Hang-on-back Canister Filter 5W
Hang-on-back
Up to 10 gal7.9× an hour (79 GPH at most)
Adjustable: turn it down for small or slow fish
Not published
Aqueon QuietFlow Internal Power Filter 5–15 gal
Internal
5–15 gal7.5× an hour (75 GPH at most)4.25 × 3.5 × 6.25 in, inside the tank
Fluval U1
Internal
Up to 15 gal6.5× an hour (65 GPH pump rating)4 × 3 × 6 in, inside the tank
EHEIM LiBERTY 75 (2040)
Hang-on-back
Up to 19.8 gal10× an hour (100 GPH at most)
Adjustable: turn it down for small or slow fish
5.3 in deep, behind the tank
Aqueon PRO QuietFlow Power Filter 10
Hang-on-back
Up to 20 galNot published3.8 in deep, behind the tank
Aqueon QuietFlow LED PRO 10
Hang-on-back
Up to 20 galNot published3.625 in deep, behind the tank
Aqueon SmartClean Power Filter 10–20 gal
Hang-on-back
10–20 galNot published
Adjustable: turn it down for small or slow fish
Not published
Fluval AC20
Hang-on-back
5–20 gal10× an hour (100 GPH at most)
Adjustable: turn it down for small or slow fish
4.4 in deep, behind the tank
hygger Backpack Aquarium Filter 6W
Hang-on-back
5–20 gal13.2× an hour (132 GPH at most)3.5 in deep, behind the tank
hygger Biochemical Sponge Filter, Small
Sponge, runs from an air pump sold separately
5–20 galNot published2.9 × 2.9 × 4.4 in, inside the tank
hygger Hang-on-back Canister Filter 6W
Hang-on-back
10–20 gal10× an hour (100 GPH at most)
Adjustable: turn it down for small or slow fish
Not published
Marineland Penguin PRO 125
Hang-on-back
Up to 20 gal12.5× an hour (125 GPH at most)
Adjustable: turn it down for small or slow fish
Not published
Aqueon PRO QuietFlow Power Filter 20
Hang-on-back
Up to 30 galNot published4.25 in deep, behind the tank
Aqueon QuietFlow LED PRO 20
Hang-on-back
Up to 30 galNot published4.25 in deep, behind the tank
Fluval 107
Canister
10–30 gal9.5× an hour (95 GPH through the filter)13.7 in tall, in the cabinet
Fluval AC30
Hang-on-back
10–30 gal15× an hour (150 GPH at most)
Adjustable: turn it down for small or slow fish
4.4 in deep, behind the tank
Fluval C2
Hang-on-back
Up to 30 gal11.9× an hour (119 GPH through the filter)4.7 in deep, behind the tank
Fluval U2
Internal
Up to 30 gal10.5× an hour (105 GPH pump rating)8 × 3.5 × 4 in, inside the tank
Marineland Magniflow 160
Canister
Up to 30 gal16× an hour (160 GPH at most)Not published
Marineland Penguin PRO 175
Hang-on-back
Up to 30 gal17.5× an hour (175 GPH at most)
Adjustable: turn it down for small or slow fish
Not published
hygger Double Biochemical Sponge Filter, Small
Sponge, runs from an air pump sold separately
10–40 galNot publishedNot published
Aquarium Co-Op Easy Flow Sponge Filter, Nano
Sponge, runs from an air pump sold separately
5 gal and upNot publishedNot published
Aquarium Co-Op Easy Flow Sponge Filter, Small
Sponge, runs from an air pump sold separately
10 gal and upNot publishedNot published

Turnover here is the maker’s figure for a clean filter. Real flow drops as the media fills and the water has further to climb, so a filter near the bottom of that column has the least to spare. Slow swimmers such as bettas want gentle water: choose one with a flow control, or see how to read flow ratings.

Rated for it, but more than it needs

These cover 10 gallons on paper, but their ratings run past 3 times that: more flow, a bigger body and more cost than the tank needs.

  • EHEIM LiBERTY 130 (2041): Rated up to 34.3 gal: it covers 10 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Seachem Tidal 35: Rated up to 35 gal: it covers 10 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Fluval U3: Rated up to 40 gal: it covers 10 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Aqueon PRO QuietFlow Power Filter 30: Rated up to 45 gal: it covers 10 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Aqueon PRO QuietFlow Power Filter 50: Rated up to 50 gal: it covers 10 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Fluval C3: Rated up to 50 gal: it covers 10 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Marineland Penguin PRO 275: Rated up to 50 gal: it covers 10 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • EHEIM LiBERTY 200 (2042): Rated up to 52.8 gal: it covers 10 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Aqueon QuietFlow Canister Filter 200: Rated up to 55 gal: it covers 10 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Marineland Magniflow 220: Rated up to 55 gal: it covers 10 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Seachem Tidal 55: Rated up to 55 gal: it covers 10 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Fluval U4: Rated up to 65 gal: it covers 10 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Fluval C4: Rated up to 70 gal: it covers 10 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Marineland Penguin PRO 375: Rated up to 75 gal: it covers 10 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Seachem Tidal 75: Rated up to 75 gal: it covers 10 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Aqueon PRO QuietFlow Power Filter 75: Rated up to 90 gal: it covers 10 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Marineland Magniflow 360: Rated up to 100 gal: it covers 10 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Seachem Tidal 110: Rated up to 110 gal: it covers 10 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Fluval FX2: Rated up to 175 gal: it covers 10 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Fluval FX4: Rated up to 250 gal: it covers 10 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Fluval FX6: Rated up to 400 gal: it covers 10 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.

Not for a 10 gallon tank

Before you choose

A rating covers the water, not the space: measure behind the tank for a hang-on-back filter, and the cabinet height for a canister. Compare the filter types, or plan the whole tank’s equipment.

Tank pages: 10 gallon · Heaters for a 10 gallon tank →