Best 5 Gallon Tank Filter for Small Aquarium and Betta Fish Tank

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.

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
	AZOO Aquarium Mignon Filter	CAPACITY: 3-1/2 gallons TYPE: HOB filter SPEED (GPH): 15 GPH	Check on Amazon
	Penn Plax Cfu55Ug Fltr	CAPACITY: 5 gallons TYPE: Internal SPEED (GPH): 20 GPH	Check on Amazon

Top 10 Reviews of the Best 5 Gallon Tank Filter

Tetra Whisper In-Tank Filter Reviews – Best for beta tank

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

AZOO Aquarium Mignon Filter

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Do you want a small and compactly designed filter for your small tank? Check out the AZOO Aquarium Mignon Filter 60. AZOO Aquarium Mignon Filter 60 thoroughly cleans your water in three effective ways: mechanically, chemically, and biologically.

One thing I love about this filter is that it is very silent during operation. So if you place your aquarium in silent places like your bedroom or in the office, a silent filter like the AZOO Aquarium Mignon Filter 60 is your best option.

This filter perfectly fits aquarium with 3.5-gallon capacity. Although the media that comes with this filter is not the most effective, you can change it to your desired media.

You can easily adjust the flow rate. So if you notice that the flow rate is too strong, you can adjust it to a calmer rate (Bettas are always uncomfortable in strong currents).

Although I wouldn’t say the AZOO Aquarium Mignon Filter 60 is the most reliable and durable filter in the market- it’s budget-friendly. The Hang on Back filter is extremely easy to install, clean, and change the media.

Pros:

• Allows users to use their desired media
• Runs silently
• Adjustable flow rate

Cons:

• The included media is inactive
• Must be manually refilled after switch off

Penn Plax Cfu55Ug Fltr

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Do you want an under gravel model for your small tank? Kindly have a look at the Penn Plax Cfu55Ug Fltr For 5.5 Gallon Aquariums. The effectiveness of the filter largely depends on the substrate you use to filter the water.

However, Penn Plax Cfu55Ug Fltr For 5.5 Gallon Aquariums is a solid and reliable option. This filter is suitable for tanks of up to 5.5 gallons. One thing I also love about this filter is that it is very silent during operation. That means you can place your aquarium in silent places like your bedroom or in the office.

The under gravel filter is super easy to set up especially on your brand new tank. However, it can be difficult to add to your existing tank and that’s because they are placed below the substrate. Position the plate at the bottom of the tank, place the substrate on the top, and fill it with water. Unlike the AZOO Aquarium Mignon Filter 60, you don’t have to replace any media because the substrates already function as a filtration media.

I’m not comfortable with the fact that you need to vacuum the Substrate to remove debris. But overall, it’s a good value filter at its price.

Pros:

• Requires maintenance
• Silent
• Affordable

Cons:

• Does not perform chemical filtration
• The substrate needs vacuuming to remove debris
• May cause excess water flow

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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