What is the best filter for a 20 gallon aquarium?

Best 20-gallon aquarium filters

Our rating Type Ideal for
Aqueon QuietFlow LED PRO 20 power filter Hang-On-Back 20-30 gallons
Fluval 107 Performance Canister Filter 120Vac canister filter 10-30 Gal (40-130 L)
Fluval C2 Power Filter HOB up to 30 gallons (115 L)
Fluval U2 Underwater Filter internal filter 12-30 Gal

How big of a filter do I need for a 20 gallon aquarium?

It’s generally recommended that your filter has a GPH equal to four times the volume of your tank. So, for a 20 gallon (76 liter) tank, you would want a filter with a GPH of at least 80.

What kind of filter do I need for a 20 gallon tank?

Best Filters for 20 Gallon Fish Tanks

Filter Name Manufacture Rated Product Price
1. Aqua Clear – HOB Filter 10-30 gallons Check on Amazon »
2. GRECH CBG-800 Hang-On Back Filter 20-50 gallons Check on Amazon »
3. Fluval C Power Filter 20-50 gallons Check on Amazon »
4. Fluval Underwater Filter 20-40 gallons Check on Amazon »

How long does it take to filter a 20 gallon tank?

Just give the tank time. The cycling process usually takes six to eight weeks. After about eight weeks, your ammonia and Nitrite levels should be acceptable (about trace levels), and you can add more fish. Do not add more fish until the ammonia and Nitrite levels have both dropped.

How many GPH does a 20 gallon tank need?

A good rule of thumb to follow is that a pump should have a flow rate of 5 GPH (gallons per hour) for every gallon of water in the aquarium.

How many fish can I have in a 20 gallon tank?

You can, theoretically, keep twenty 1-inch fish, or ten 2-inch fish, in a 20-gallon tank. This stocking strategy follows the 1 inch of fish per gallon of water rule.

How do I know when my tank is cycled?

Once your nitrite levels have reached a certain point a bacteria called Nitrobacter will develop. They’ll convert the nitrites into nitrates. When the levels of nitrite and ammonia reach 0ppm (parts per million), your tank has been cycled.

How long should I cycle my aquarium?

Normally, it takes 4-6 weeks for the growth of beneficial bacteria to complete the nitrogen cycle in a new aquarium. It is not unusual for seeded aquariums to fully cycle in half the time it would normally take, thus allowing you to stock more fish in the new tank sooner.

What size wavemaker do I need for a 20 gallon tank?

That means if you have a 20 gallon tank, shoot for a wavemaker that is capable of at least 200 gph, but preferably up to 1,000!

Can you over filter a tank?

You can’t really over-filter an aquarium, but it’s fairly easy to under-filter one. Most aquarium filters are rated according to how many gallons the aquarium holds. For best results, purchase a filter that is rated for an aquarium a little larger than the one you own.

Is a 20 gallon fish tank big enough?

A 20 gallon fish tank or aquarium is perfect for new aquarists; it’s large enough to have a nice selection of fish, yet small enough to maintain. A tank of this size allows you to keep a wide variety of different fish, as well as some live plants and other inhabitants such as snails or shrimps.

How often should you clean a 20 gallon fish tank?

You need to clean a 5-gallon tank weekly, while a larger 15- or 20-gallon tank only needs cleaning once or twice a month.