Filters for a 29 gallon tank

33 filters in our catalog are sized for a 29 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

Sized for a 29 gallon tank

Filters rated for 29 gallons, smallest rating first; turnover is the maker’s flow divided by 29 gallons
ModelRated forMoves your waterRoom it needs
Aqueon PRO QuietFlow Power Filter 20
Hang-on-back
Up to 30 galNot published4.25 in deep, behind the tank
Aqueon QuietFlow Internal Power Filter 15–30 gal
Internal
15–30 gal5.2× an hour (150 GPH at most)5.5 × 4 × 8 in, inside the tank
Aqueon QuietFlow LED PRO 20
Hang-on-back
Up to 30 galNot published4.25 in deep, behind the tank
Aqueon SmartClean Power Filter 20–30 gal
Hang-on-back
20–30 galNot publishedNot published
Fluval 107
Canister
10–30 gal3.3× an hour (95 GPH through the filter)13.7 in tall, in the cabinet
Fluval AC30
Hang-on-back
10–30 gal5.2× an hour (150 GPH at most)4.4 in deep, behind the tank
Fluval C2
Hang-on-back
Up to 30 gal4.1× an hour (119 GPH through the filter)4.7 in deep, behind the tank
Fluval U2
Internal
Up to 30 gal3.6× an hour (105 GPH pump rating)8 × 3.5 × 4 in, inside the tank
Marineland Magniflow 160
Canister
Up to 30 gal5.5× an hour (160 GPH at most)Not published
Marineland Penguin PRO 175
Hang-on-back
Up to 30 gal6× an hour (175 GPH at most)Not published
EHEIM LiBERTY 130 (2041)
Hang-on-back
Up to 34.3 gal5.2× an hour (151 GPH at most)5.3 in deep, behind the tank
Seachem Tidal 35
Hang-on-back
Up to 35 gal4.5× an hour (130 GPH at most)5.125 in deep, behind the tank
Fluval U3
Internal
Up to 40 gal5.3× an hour (155 GPH pump rating)10.5 × 3.25 × 4 in, inside the tank
hygger Double Biochemical Sponge Filter, Small
Sponge, runs from an air pump sold separately
10–40 galNot publishedNot published
hygger Hang-on-back Canister Filter 7W
Hang-on-back
20–40 gal5.3× an hour (153 GPH at most)Not published
Aqueon PRO QuietFlow Power Filter 30
Hang-on-back
Up to 45 galNot published4.375 in deep, behind the tank
Fluval 207
Canister
20–45 gal4.2× an hour (121 GPH through the filter)16.5 in tall, in the cabinet
Aqueon PRO QuietFlow Power Filter 50
Hang-on-back
Up to 50 galNot published4.375 in deep, behind the tank
Fluval AC50
Hang-on-back
20–50 gal6.9× an hour (200 GPH at most)4.4 in deep, behind the tank
Fluval C3
Hang-on-back
Up to 50 gal5.3× an hour (153 GPH through the filter)4.7 in deep, behind the tank
Marineland Penguin PRO 275
Hang-on-back
Up to 50 gal9.5× an hour (275 GPH at most)Not published
EHEIM LiBERTY 200 (2042)
Hang-on-back
Up to 52.8 gal6.9× an hour (201 GPH at most)5.3 in deep, behind the tank
Aqueon QuietFlow Canister Filter 200
Canister
Up to 55 gal6.9× an hour (200 GPH pump rating)16.75 in tall, in the cabinet
hygger Biochemical Sponge Filter, Medium
Sponge, runs from an air pump sold separately
20–55 galNot published2.9 × 2.9 × 6.5 in, inside the tank
hygger Double Biochemical Sponge Filter, Medium
Sponge, runs from an air pump sold separately
15–55 galNot publishedNot published
Marineland Magniflow 220
Canister
Up to 55 gal7.6× an hour (220 GPH at most)Not published
Seachem Tidal 55
Hang-on-back
Up to 55 gal8.6× an hour (250 GPH at most)6.125 in deep, behind the tank
Fluval U4
Internal
Up to 65 gal9× an hour (260 GPH pump rating)13 × 4 × 4.5 in, inside the tank
EHEIM classic 250 (2213)
Canister
21–66 gal4× an hour (116 GPH pump rating)13.9 in tall, in the cabinet
Fluval C4
Hang-on-back
Up to 70 gal9.1× an hour (264 GPH through the filter)6.1 in deep, behind the tank
Marineland Penguin PRO 375
Hang-on-back
Up to 75 galNot publishedNot published
Seachem Tidal 75
Hang-on-back
Up to 75 gal12.1× an hour (350 GPH at most)7 in deep, behind the tank
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 29 gallons on paper, but their ratings run past 3 times that: more flow, a bigger body and more cost than the tank needs.

  • Aqueon PRO QuietFlow Power Filter 75: Rated up to 90 gal: it covers 29 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Marineland Magniflow 360: Rated up to 100 gal: it covers 29 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Seachem Tidal 110: Rated up to 110 gal: it covers 29 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Fluval FX2: Rated up to 175 gal: it covers 29 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Fluval FX4: Rated up to 250 gal: it covers 29 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
  • Fluval FX6: Rated up to 400 gal: it covers 29 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.

Not for a 29 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: 29 gallon · Heaters for a 29 gallon tank →