Are Fish Tank Filters Loud?




When a new aquarium hobbyist thinks about purchasing an aquarium, the first question that comes to mind is fish tank filters loud? Most people place an aquarium in a busy place in their households, such as a living room, or even a kitchen. Therefore it is crucial to make sure the fish tank is quiet when the aquarium is running. If the fish tank is loud, people get upset and frustrated. When searching for an aquarium, the typical rule of thumb is the more expensive the aquarium, the higher quality. An aquarium that you buy off Craigslist will be old and not high tech. Therefore, the fish tank will be loud and of poor quality. However, if you purchase a new fish tank from your local fish store, the aquarium will be of much higher quality. 

In this article, we will be going over various components and dissect the question of if fish tank filters are loud. There are a ton of components that go into the decision. Within a fish tank filter, there are several frequencies regarding the noise level. Keep reading to identify the analysis on the topic of fish tanks and filters!

What is an Aquarium Filter?

An aquarium acts as the cleansing component for your aquarium. A fish tank has several filtration methods to keep the system healthy. Through these elements, the water in the fish tank is crystal clear with proper parameters. An aquarium filter is a mechanical way of filtering the water in the fish tank. However, there are live plants in your aquarium that act as the natural filter.

With enough plants and lighting, the aquarium can be filtered by itself. However, it would be a good idea to use a mechanical filter as well. A typical filter has a hang on the filter that is placed on the back of your aquarium. However, there is a filter media that is placed in the filter. Keep in mind that the filter media needs to be replaced about once a month. If the media is not replaced, the aquarium water will turn poor and make you sick

How Much Noise Does a Filter Make?

In general, a filter does not make too much noise. The filter for a fish tank tends to stay quiet unless there is something wrong. There are several types of filters. If you have a filter that has a sump, nothing is hanging on the edge that has to be replaced. However, these types of filters have a sump tank under the stand. The sump tank typically has a sock filter on the bottom that has to be replaced or emptied. With both filters, the answer to the question is that there is not much noise with a filter.

I have personally kept an aquarium in my bedroom and would leave the light on at night. Not once did the aquarium filter wake me up because of noise. However, the filter tends to make noise when there is a loose filter top component. To fix the issue, move the filter around and make sure everything is sealed tight. After taking these precautions, your filter should not make much noise!

Why do I Need a Filter?

Aquarium experts can get away with not using a mechanical filter. However, we do not recommend it to anyone that has a home aquarium. When you have an aquarium, you tend to buy expensive fish for the fish tank. However, a ton of the fish that you purchase can be quite expensive. Therefore, take limit the possibility of the fish dying in your aquarium. The number one reason is by purchasing a high-quality filter for the fish tank! If you believe the filter looks ugly, you can use decorations in the aquarium to cover the filter! Aquarium hobbyists can get away with only using live plants to filter the water. The downside to this method is that errors can still occur. If the chemical balance is odd in the fish tank, fish will die.

As mentioned above, the fish tank filter cleans the aquarium and ensures stray particles are removed. The action leaves the fish tank water looking crystal clear! The crystal clear water is what all fish tank hobbyists strive for when having a home aquarium. Make sure to conduct weekly checks on the filter and make sure the system is running. If you do not check the filter, there is a chance it may be broken. A broken filter results in dirty water and dead fish!

Best Filters for a Fish Tank?

When looking for a filter, it is crucial to find the correct one for your specific aquarium. For example, if you have a 90-gallon aquarium, you do not want a filter that is used for a 20-gallon aquarium. The same concept is used for a filter that is too big for your aquarium. For example, you do not want to use a 90-gallon filter for a 25-gallon fish tank. The over filtration can cause improper water parameters, which stress the fish. On this list, we will be going over the best fish tanks that we recommend for our readers. Before purchasing the filter, make sure that you can use it for the specific fish tank size!

Marineland Penguin 100 Power

If you are looking for a fish tank smaller than 10 gallons, this is the filter for you! The Marineland Penguin is an ideal option when selecting a filter to hang on the back of your aquarium. Regarding the noise level, this filter is one of the quietest options available on the market. I have kept a nano fish tank with this filter, and the performance was very high. I was shocked at how cheap the filter was. This 14 dollar filter packs a bunch and should be considered by anyone that has a 10-gallon aquarium.

Tetra Whisper EX Silent

If you are questioning whether filters are quiet or not, this is the filter for you. The filter was specifically designed to perform at an extra quiet rate. Different sizes can be used for up to 90 gallons! Regarding the price, the filter is only 28 dollars for treatment of 90 gallons. If you want to ensure your aquarium stays quiet, invest in this filter immediately! For this specific model, the filter cartridges are super easy to change! You only have to conduct the change once a month!

Fluval Power Filter

If you have a midsized fish tank of around 30 gallons, this is the filter for you! For efficient heat distribution, this filter keeps your fish tank consistent within all of the aquaria. The filter acts as an easy to install a mechanical filter that hooks on the back of the aquarium. Regarding the price of the fish tank, the average price ranges around 20 dollars for this filter. The filter helps a ton with limiting stress within the aquarium. With all of these factors working together, your aquarium should be crystal clear!

Aquarium Bio Sponge Filter

If you plan on breeding fish in the future, the sponge filter is perfect for you! Some sponge filters can be loud, so keep that in mind when deciding on the placement of your aquarium. However, if you purchase a high-quality filter, the noise will be reduced. I have personally tried to breed cherry red shrimp! However, if you plan on going down this route, a sponge filter is necessary. The price is great for the results that you get from the filter. The sponge filter ranges near ten dollars! Sponge filters can even be placed in aquariums up to 60 gallons! When installing this type of filter, the process is simple. Just about anyone can set up this filter by reading the instructions!

In Conclusion

In conclusion, fish tank filters are generally quiet. However, the more money you spend on a filter, the better the results. As mentioned above, avoid purchasing used filters from settings like Craigslist. A ton of times, sellers will lie about the quality and the usage. Stay away from going down this route to save money! Instead, visit your local fish store for a brand new filter that can help your aquarium. When purchasing a new filter, you will notice your fish tank becoming more clear. The clear water help indicates that the fish are living in great conditions. As mentioned in previous articles, if you have any questions, feel free to ask us! We are very responsive in the messages and want to help your fish tank become great!




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