Sized for a 5 gallon tank
| Model | Rated for | Moves your water | Room it needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aqueon QuietFlow Internal Power Filter up to 5 gal Internal | Up to 5 gal | 7× an hour (35 GPH at most) | 3 × 3 × 6 in, inside the tank |
| hygger Hang-on-back Canister Filter 5W Hang-on-back | Up to 10 gal | 15.8× 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 gal | 15× an hour (75 GPH at most) | 4.25 × 3.5 × 6.25 in, inside the tank |
| Fluval U1 Internal | Up to 15 gal | 13× an hour (65 GPH pump rating) | 4 × 3 × 6 in, inside the tank |
| Fluval AC20 Hang-on-back | 5–20 gal | 20× 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 gal | 26.4× 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 gal | Not published | 2.9 × 2.9 × 4.4 in, inside the tank |
| Aquarium Co-Op Easy Flow Sponge Filter, Nano Sponge, runs from an air pump sold separately | 5 gal and up | Not published | Not 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 5 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 75 (2040): Rated up to 19.8 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Aqueon PRO QuietFlow Power Filter 10: Rated up to 20 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Aqueon QuietFlow LED PRO 10: Rated up to 20 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Marineland Penguin PRO 125: Rated up to 20 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Aqueon PRO QuietFlow Power Filter 20: Rated up to 30 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Aqueon QuietFlow LED PRO 20: Rated up to 30 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Fluval C2: Rated up to 30 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Fluval U2: Rated up to 30 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Marineland Magniflow 160: Rated up to 30 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Marineland Penguin PRO 175: Rated up to 30 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- EHEIM LiBERTY 130 (2041): Rated up to 34.3 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Seachem Tidal 35: Rated up to 35 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Fluval U3: Rated up to 40 gal: it covers 5 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 5 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 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Fluval C3: Rated up to 50 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Marineland Penguin PRO 275: Rated up to 50 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- EHEIM LiBERTY 200 (2042): Rated up to 52.8 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Aqueon QuietFlow Canister Filter 200: Rated up to 55 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Marineland Magniflow 220: Rated up to 55 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Seachem Tidal 55: Rated up to 55 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Fluval U4: Rated up to 65 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Fluval C4: Rated up to 70 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Marineland Penguin PRO 375: Rated up to 75 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Seachem Tidal 75: Rated up to 75 gal: it covers 5 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 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Marineland Magniflow 360: Rated up to 100 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Seachem Tidal 110: Rated up to 110 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Fluval FX2: Rated up to 175 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Fluval FX4: Rated up to 250 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
- Fluval FX6: Rated up to 400 gal: it covers 5 gallons, but it is built for tanks over 3 times that size.
Not for a 5 gallon tank
- Aqueon Betta Filter: Rated up to 3 gal: too small for 5 gallons.
- hygger Cleanness Hang On Filter 3.5W: Rated up to 5 gal, but hygger makes it for rimless tanks only, and the Aqueon 5½ we list has a frame.
- hygger AquaFall Aquarium Filter, S: Rated 7–10 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- hygger Cleanness Hang On Filter 4.5W: Rated 5–10 gal, but hygger makes it for rimless tanks only, and the Aqueon 5½ we list has a frame.
- hygger AquaFall Aquarium Filter, M: Rated 12–17 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- Aqueon SmartClean Power Filter 10–20 gal: Rated 10–20 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- hygger Cleanness Hang On Filter 5.5W: Rated 10–20 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- hygger Hang-on-back Canister Filter 6W: Rated 10–20 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- Aqueon QuietFlow Internal Power Filter 15–30 gal: Rated 15–30 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- Aqueon SmartClean Power Filter 20–30 gal: Rated 20–30 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- Fluval 107: Rated 10–30 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- Fluval AC30: Rated 10–30 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- hygger Backpack Aquarium Filter 8W: Rated 15–30 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- hygger Double Biochemical Sponge Filter, Small: Rated 10–40 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- hygger Hang-on-back Canister Filter 7W: Rated 20–40 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- Fluval 207: Rated 20–45 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- Aqueon SmartClean Power Filter 30–50 gal: Rated 30–50 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- Fluval AC50: Rated 20–50 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- hygger Biochemical Sponge Filter, Medium: Rated 20–55 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- hygger Double Biochemical Sponge Filter, Medium: Rated 15–55 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- hygger Hang-on-back Canister Filter 8W: Rated 40–60 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- EHEIM professionel 4+ 250 (2271): Rated 31–65 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- EHEIM classic 250 (2213): Rated 21–66 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- Fluval 307: Rated 40–70 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- Fluval AC70: Rated 40–70 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- Aqueon QuietFlow Canister Filter 300: Rated 55–75 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- Aqueon SmartClean Power Filter 50–90 gal: Rated 50–90 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- EHEIM classic 350 (2215): Rated 31–92 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- EHEIM professionel 4+ 350 (2273): Rated 47–92 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- Fluval 407: Rated 50–100 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- Fluval AC110: Rated 60–110 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- hygger Biochemical Sponge Filter, Large: Rated 55–125 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- Aqueon QuietFlow Canister Filter 400: Rated 100–150 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- EHEIM professionel 4+ 600 (2275): Rated 63–158 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- EHEIM classic 600 (2217): Rated 47–159 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- Aquarium Co-Op Easy Flow Sponge Filter, Small: Listed from 10 gal: built for bigger tanks than 5 gallons.
- Tetra Whisper IQ 20: Its maker gives no tank size, so we can’t say it suits 5 gallons.
- Tetra Whisper IQ 45: Its maker gives no tank size, so we can’t say it suits 5 gallons.
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: 5 gallon: Aqueon 5½ · Heaters for a 5 gallon tank →