You can’t keep fish in a tank without a tank filter. And finding the best 5-gallon tank filter can be tricky. Because most high-quality and super-impressive filters are available at higher gallon capacity. And what you want is for a small fish tank.
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Tank filter is a magical filtration tool. It keeps the water flowing, filtered and transparent. Where manually cleaning a fish tank is effective. Changing the water regularly, by hand, can be a burden. So you want to avoid doing it as often as you can.
What you truly need is a fish tank filter. It cleans dirty water, eliminates toxins, and prevents infestation. This is not only beautiful to look at. But it keeps your fish healthy and infection-free.
Contents
- 1 Comparison table of Best 5 Gallon Tank Filter
- 2 Top 8 Reviews of the Best 5 Gallon Tank Filter
- 2.1 Tetra Whisper In-Tank Filter Reviews – Best for beta tank
- 2.2 Penn Plax Cascade Hang-On Aquarium Filter Review – Best adjustable HOB tank filter
- 2.3 Marina I25 Internal Filter Reviews – Best quiet internal tank filter
- 2.4 MarineLand Bio-Wheel Penguin Power Filter – Best activated carbon tank filter
- 2.5 Aqueon Quietflow Internal Power Filter – Best fully-submersible internal tank filter
- 2.6 Marina Power Filter – Best small HOB tank filter
- 2.7 Aqueon Quietflow E Internal Power Filter – Best automatic internal filter
- 2.8 Aqua-Tech Power Aquarium Filter Review – Best affordable HOB filter
- 3 Final Thoughts
Comparison table of Best 5 Gallon Tank Filter
| IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | PRICE |
Editor’s Choice | Tetra Whisper In-Tank Filter | CAPACITY: Up to 10 gallons TYPE: Internal filter SPEED (GPH): 40 GPH | Check on Amazon |
 | Penn Plax Cascade Hang-On Aquarium Filter | CAPACITY: Up to 7 gallons TYPE: HOB filter SPEED (GPH): 20 GPH | Check on Amazon |
 | Marina I25 Internal Filter | CAPACITY: Up to 6.6 gallons TYPE: Internal filter SPEED (GPH): 26.4 GPH | Check on Amazon |
 | MarineLand Bio-Wheel Penguin Power Filter | CAPACITY: Up to 10 gallons TYPE: HOB filter SPEED (GPH): 75 GPH | Check on Amazon |
 | Aqueon Quietflow Internal Power Filter | CAPACITY: Up to 10 gallons TYPE: Internal filter SPEED (GPH): 57 GPH | Check on Amazon |
 | Marina Power Filter | CAPACITY: Up to 10 gallons TYPE: HOB filter SPEED (GPH): 92 GPH | Check on Amazon |
 | Aqueon Quietflow E Internal Power Filter | CAPACITY: Up to 10 gallons TYPE: Internal filter SPEED (GPH): 60 GPH | Check on Amazon |
 | Aqua-Tech Power Aquarium Filter | CAPACITY: 5 to 15 gallons TYPE: HOB filter SPEED (GPH): 90 GPH | Check on Amazon |
Top 8 Reviews of the Best 5 Gallon Tank Filter
Tetra Whisper In-Tank Filter Reviews – Best for beta tank
The installation of the Tetra Whisper In-Tank Filter is easy. Being an internal fish tank, you can mount it on any one of the interior faces of the tank. Be it with suction cups or a standard hanger.
The benefit of using this best 5 gallon tank filter is space. It uses less space when you mount it against the tank wall. The fact that it’s submerged in water makes it quiet. So you won’t hear the powerful 3-stage filtration system and the Bio-Bag filters are.
It maintains the water quality well. It’s also easier to clean, especially the impeller, which you remove the bottom to access. This version is ideal for a 5 gallon fish tank. It has an ideal flow rate and there’s plenty of room inside to add extra filter media.
Pros
It enhances biological filtration to kill fine particles.
It allows you to put in another filtration media.
Cons
No flow rate adjustment.
The tank filter is kind of heavy.
Penn Plax Cascade Hang-On Aquarium Filter Review – Best adjustable HOB tank filter
The Penn Plax Cascade 20 uses 4 unique stages for filtered water. It’s, by far, the quietest, roomiest, and leak-free aquarium filter. If you want better filtering at a cheaper price that goes on for a long run. You need this best 5 gallon tank filter.
It has steady bearings on both sides of the shaft. Apart from the noise of the trickling water, there’s no loud humming noise. The adjuster and motor are effective, strong, and super quiet.
The media basket has plenty of space in it. You can throw in some cut-to-fit media. And it improves the overall quality of the water. This also prevents water from flowing back into the tank. So make sure the media basket is full and organized.
Pros:
The self-leveling case keeps the filter steady.
The flow rate is adjustable.
Cons:
The intake tube is not firmly attached.
Marina I25 Internal Filter Reviews – Best quiet internal tank filter
The simple goal is to keep the water clean and circulating consistently. If this is what you want, you need the Marina I25 Internal Filter. It’s whisper-quiet, effective, and powerful. Ideal for tanks up to 6.6 gallons, it works perfectly well for 5 gallon tank filters.
The power cartridge is efficient and easy to change when necessary. The replacement cartridges for this internal filter are cheap and easy.
The design of this filter is such that you can keep it standing. That is if you do not want to use the clip that comes with it for mounting. It works when you half-submerge it in the water. Making sure that the filter is not fully submerged.
Pros
The water flow is gentle and quiet.
It also eliminates odor and bacterial/microbial pollutants.
Cons
There is no top lid to cover the filter pads.
MarineLand Bio-Wheel Penguin Power Filter – Best activated carbon tank filter
The MarineLand Bio-Wheel Penguin Power Filter is a powerful and quiet filter. It uses bio-filtration It’s a HOB filter which is a Hang-On Back tank filter. It works for quite many aquariums of different sizes.
One of the most interesting parts of this filter is the durability. Though easy to put together, you wouldn’t have to take it apart for a long time. It could go on for up to 5 years without putting you through the trouble.
The interior is spacious and customizable. You can add all types of the filter including media filters, bio-balls, and other filter add-ons. Its replacement parts, especially for the carbon filter, are easy to buy.
For a 5 gallon tank filter, this bio-wheel filter is silent, gentle, and effective.
Pros
It uses chemical, mechanical, and biological filtration.
The 75 GPH is perfect for small tanks.
Cons
The bio-wheel in the tank needs regular maintenance.
The filters become dirty too fast.
Aqueon Quietflow Internal Power Filter – Best fully-submersible internal tank filter
Some internal filters cannot be completely submerged in the tank. You want to keep the filter a little above the surface level which may take up more room. But that’s not the case with the Aqueon Quietflow Power Filter.
You can mount it at the bottom of the tank. Its 3-stage filtration keeps the water clean. It looks and performs well, so it’s aesthetically appealing. You can place it in a variety of angles. The filters work just the same!
This best 5 gallon tank filter is quiet and powerful. It’s quiet even more so because it’s in water. It removes debris, odor, fine particles, and toxins. It creates a completely healthy atmosphere to get rid of ammonia and nitrates, also. Making it unique and powerful!
Pros:
The flow rate and height are adjustable.
The BioGrid gets rid of water coloration and ammonia.
Cons:
Do not use the packaged filter it comes with.
Marina Power Filter – Best small HOB tank filter
Instead of looking for high-end and excessively-expensive filters. You need something valuable to believe in. And the Marina Power Filter is one of them. It is a good and best 5 gallon tank filter.
The compact and slim profile comes with plenty of exciting modifications. It’s a HOB tank filer but it takes up less space than most others. You can adjust the water flow and the water level.
With dual Bio-Carb and Bio-Clear cartridges, it’s ideal for high-bio fish tanks. It packs a punch to make sure the water stays nitrate-, odor-free, and toxin-free.
Pros
The ceramic filter is effective and optimized.
The motor doesn’t dampen, overheat, or over-cool.
Cons
The plastic filter lid vibrates.
Small and long water plants get sucked through the filter.
Aqueon Quietflow E Internal Power Filter – Best automatic internal filter
The Aqueon Quietflow E Internal Power Filter is a well-organized filter. It is the best 5 gallon tank filter to buy for most people. It uses 3 stages of water filtration including mechanical, chemical, and biological.
The pump has an auto-start feature so it completely eliminates priming. If you experience an electrical break-out, it will automatically restart.
To mount it, you need either clips or suction cups. Both of which are already included in this package. Making it a breeze to install and easy to maintain, in the long run.
You also share the same intuitive and effortless feeling with its filters. They work vertically more effectively than they do when placed horizontally. The motor runs quiet and gentle.
Pros
It delivers a gentle and smooth water flow.
The filter is fully-submersible.
Cons
The filter chamber is extra small.
Aqua-Tech Power Aquarium Filter Review – Best affordable HOB filter
Who doesn’t like economical and cost-effective tank filters? The Aqua-Tech Power Aquarium Filter creates a safe and effective atmosphere. It features an advanced 3-step filtration system.
The filters are quick to change. They trap dirt, odor, impurities, and other toxins. The filters cover more ground than activated carbon. The intake tube and other inserts are easy to place.
Simply put, it does a wonderful job of keeping the water clean. The filter runs quietly. It even has a fountain-like functionality which is aesthetically-appealing.
For somebody parenting turtles, you know turtles are dirty to take care of. So this HOB tank filter keeps the water crystal clear regularly. This should tell you more about its efficacy than what’s written on the box.
Pros:
It enhances water circulation, movement, and filtration.
The filter parts are high-quality and durable.
Cons:
It needs regular cleaning.
Final Thoughts
Go to your local pet shop, you won’t such a wide variety of 5 gallon tank filters. Here, you can choose from type to feature-driven. 5 gallons is a small number for a fish tank. But it can be just as sensitive to getting dirty than a large tank with lots of fish.
Even if you have to take care of betta fish. Be it one or two or a few different breeds. You need to keep it clean. And what better way to do than the top pick?
The Tetra Whisper In-Tank Filter is an all-time favorite for many fish parents. It creates the kind of atmosphere your fish would thrive in. Isn’t that great?
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Hi guys. I’m looking for a new five gallon fish tank filter. Any suggestions for what’s the best out there? Also can one just go with a bubbler filter or do you need the traditional filter type ?
Hi, Holly
Why dont you check Tetra Whisper in-Tank Filter with BioScrubber it’s most suitable according to my expirence!
Any suggestions on a filter for a betta? Mine absolutely hates them.
I’ve tried the low flow submersible ones and he kept attacking it and getting stick behind it, so I tried the external one on the lowest flow setting even with a sponge over the intake and it kept sucking him in. I have him in a 5 gallon tank with no filter at the moment and he seems perfectly happy with it, but I don’t want to leave him without one. Any advice? Thanks.
Do you guys this will be Overkill for a 5 gallon fry bucket? I currently use regular sponge filters without bio media.
Is just a sponge filter enough filtration and flow for a 5 gallon betta tank?
Yes, that’s might be enough! if you intent to keep more fish you should consider upgrading!