It is crucial to maintain clean water in your aquarium for the well-being and health of your tank inhabitants. However, managing water quality can be a difficult task. Without adequate filtration, the water in your tank can become contaminated with harmful chemicals. To ensure your fish tank water remains clean and pure, we recommend using the top-rated HOB filter. Our preferred HOB filter, the AquaClear Aquarium Filter<\/a>, will effectively keep your tank\u2019s water in optimal condition.<\/p>\n Hang-on-back (HOB) filters are easy to install, require little maintenance, and can help keep your water clear and healthy for your fish. We tested many products and put together these reviews of our favorites to help you choose the best option for your aquarium and budget.<\/p>\n Our all-around favorite HOB filter is the AquaClear Aquarium Filter<\/a>. It\u2019s super simple to mount to your tank, does an excellent job of limiting debris and harmful chemicals in your water, and comes in a variety of sizes to meet your tank\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n A hang-on-back (HOB) filter is the most common and widely available aquarium filter type. They are our favorite type of filter because they\u2019re easy to use and affordable. They typically clip to or hang on the rim of your tank and use a pump to move water through the filtration media inside the filter.<\/p>\n A HOB filter pumps water from your tank into the filter chamber. After the intake of water, there are typically two compartments in the chamber, each with different media.<\/p>\n Most HOB filters include a sponge or other physical filter (like filter floss<\/a>) in the first compartment. As the tank water passes through the filter, physical debris gets caught and removed from the water.<\/p>\n The cleared water then moves into the second internal filter compartment, which usually houses biological filter media. Most aquarists use either bio balls<\/a> or ceramic rings in this section of the filter. The biological filter media house an immense number of beneficial bacteria. This good bacteria will consume unwanted food and ammonia<\/a> from fish fecal matter.<\/p>\n Once the water has been scrubbed clean of physical debris and dangerous chemicals, it pours out of the return and back into your tank.<\/p>\n HOB filters are also cool because you can stage non-aquatic plants like pothos<\/a> in the outflow area for a beautiful addition of greenery to your tank.<\/p>\n Filtration is required in all fish tanks, no matter the size. Without a good HOB filter, your tank water will hold ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, all of which can harm and even kill your fish.<\/p>\n HOB filters not only help keep your water clear and appealing by removing fine debris but they also house bacteria to remove deadly chemicals that naturally build up in your aquarium as fish eat and carry out metabolic processes.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re deciding on which hang-on-back filter to get for your tank, make sure you consider the below factors.<\/p>\n Your tank water should be turned over at least once every hour to reduce cloudiness and avoid the build-up of harmful chemicals in your water. As such, you should choose a filter with a flow rate that is equal to or greater than your entire tank volume.<\/p>\n For example, a HOB filter with a 50 gallon-per-hour (GPH) flow rate won\u2019t be sufficient for cleaning a 65-gallon tank, but it will be suitable for anything up to 50 gallons, provided it\u2019s rated for that volume or higher. Required water flow is an important feature to consider.<\/p>\n In addition to your flow rate, you need to match your filter to your tank\u2019s volume. The volume rating of a product will give you an indication of the fish load the filter can handle.<\/p>\n Filters with higher volume ratings are more powerful and have better filtration capacity, so they\u2019re able to clean larger tanks. Provided the flow rate is also appropriate, a filter rated for a 120-gallon tank can sufficiently clean the water of an appropriately stocked, 120-gallon tank and leave your fish with clear, healthy water.<\/p>\n Not all HOB filters accept the same media, so you\u2019ll need to choose a filter that matches your setup and the type of filtration you plan to do.<\/p>\n Most HOB filters include physical or mechanical filtration, like a sponge or filter pad, as well as biological filtration, with bio balls or ceramic rings.<\/p>\n Some more expensive products have space for activated carbon to carry out chemical filtration<\/a> or a water scrubber to keep your tank crystal clear. Some options even include UV filtration to kill off diseases, protozoa, and fungi in your water.<\/p>\n For the best filtration possible, choose a HOB filter with added compartments and media capability.<\/p>\n Owning and maintaining aquariums is costly, so you should carefully consider the price of the HOB filter you\u2019re considering. Filters vary in cost based on the size of the tank they can handle, their durability, and the number of filter media they can house. If you\u2019re looking for the quietest filter, you will probably need to pay a bit extra for the lack of noise.<\/p>\n If you have the money, choosing a filter that is a bit overpowered for your tank is typically best. A HOB filter designed for a 120-gallon tank will be under minimal stress in a 60-gallon tank and maintain the healthiest water possible for your fish.<\/p>\n Lastly, you should read the online reviews of a HOB filter you\u2019re considering to get a sense of how accurate the volume rating is and how durable the filter will be overall.<\/p>\n Some filters that are rated for 50 gallons may struggle to maintain a tank of that size and fail relatively quickly under the pressure. The ratings are a bit subjective, so the reviews will help guide you to the ideal filter for your tank.<\/p>\n HOB filters and canister filters<\/a> generally use the same principles and the same media to filter your aquarium. Most use mechanical and biological filtration, and specific models of both types can accommodate other methods, like UV or chemical filtration.<\/p>\n Canister filters are almost always more expensive than HOB filters, but the most significant difference is that canister filters sit outside your tank. Most aquarists place them in their aquarium stands and route clear hoses from the tank to the filter. This can be an important element of design to consider when making the HOB versus canister decision. Do you want a visible filter or would you prefer a hidden filter?<\/p>\n You can often install in-line heaters and other accessories like spray bars<\/a> on canister filters, but a HOB filter can\u2019t usually accommodate these.<\/p>\n After extensive testing on our own aquariums, we\u2019re confident that the below HOB filters are the best ones available. We\u2019ll offer a brief list followed by in-depth reviews below.<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tOur Pick\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t This filter is extremely reliable and made with durable materials, so we\u2019re confident it will last for many years.<\/p>\n It comes in various sizes for tanks ranging from 5 gallons all the way up to 110 gallons, so you can customize it based on your setup.<\/p>\n It has compartments for mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration. It comes with filter media, so you can set it up right out of the box.<\/p>\n It\u2019s relatively quiet during operation but still provides excellent cleaning capability.<\/p>\n Features<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t This filter comes in sizes rated for tank volumes between 75 and 350 gallons. It\u2019s ideal for larger tanks and might be unnecessarily costly for tanks under 30 gallons.<\/p>\n Even the smaller sizes are capable of very impressive flow rates, making them suitable for crowded tanks or aquariums with large fish that produce a lot of waste.<\/p>\n It includes compartments for mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration, and it does an excellent job of maintaining clear, healthy water for your fish. However, it cannot accommodate UV filtration.<\/p>\n It\u2019s very affordable, and it includes filter media.<\/p>\n Features<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t This filter is highly reliable and durable, and we\u2019re confident it will power through cleaning your tank for years.<\/p>\n The C4 model is rated for tanks between 40 and 70 gallons, but other models can be used for smaller tanks if needed. You can adjust the flow rate to match your tank size and optimize filtration.<\/p>\n It has compartments for mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a bit on the pricey side, but it does include filter media to keep additional costs to a minimum.<\/p>\n Features<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t This filter comes in sizes that can clean aquariums between 5 gallons and 90 gallons. They all have excellent flow rates, the largest of which peak at around 450 gallons per hour.<\/p>\n It has compartments for mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration, and it does an excellent job of scrubbing your tank water clean.<\/p>\n It only comes with mechanical filter media, so you\u2019ll need to purchase biological and chemical media separately.<\/p>\n This filter is very expensive, and the added cost of media can easily put you over budget.<\/p>\n Features<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t This HOB filter comes in just one size for 55-gallon tanks, so it\u2019s not ideal for small aquariums or those over 55 gallons.<\/p>\n It has space for mechanical, biological, and chemical filter media, but there are only two compartments. This will make chemical filtration a bit less productive than in other filters. It only includes mechanical and biological media.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a bit on the pricey side for the size, but it does have some nice features, like an adjustable flow rate to tune to your tank and relatively quiet operation.<\/p>\n Features<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t This filter comes in various sizes for tanks between 20 and 300 gallons, meaning it can handle a small tank to a large tank. The flow rate is sufficient at each size, and it\u2019s adjustable, so you can tune it to suit your tank and fish.<\/p>\n It can accommodate mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration. It only takes replaceable cartridges, which will increase your cost over time and limit customization options.<\/p>\n It\u2019s very affordable, but it isn\u2019t quite as efficient at clearing the water and maintaining healthy chemical levels as many other options we tested.<\/p>\n Features<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t This filter only comes in one size for 90-gallon tanks, so it will be unnecessarily expensive for most tanks under 50 gallons.<\/p>\n It has space for mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration, and it does a decent job of cleaning up the tank water. However, it only accepts disposable cartridges, so you\u2019ll end up spending more on media over the long run with this filter.<\/p>\n It\u2019s somewhat pricey, but it does come with two media cartridges to get you started.<\/p>\n Features<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n Setting up a HOB filter is as easy as resting it on the back rim of your tank and plugging it in. You\u2019ll have to add media for filtration, which is best done in the following order from top to bottom: mechanical, biological, chemical.<\/p>\n To keep your HOB filter running properly, you\u2019ll need to clean it every time you do a water change, about once every other week. Remove any mechanical filtration media and rinse it thoroughly before placing it back in your filter. Remove biological filter media and place in a small container with tank water. Swirl the media around to remove debris and algae before placing them back in your filter.<\/p>\n Chemical media, like activated carbon, should be replaced about once a month. Specialty water scrubbers can be swapped out as needed or every two weeks.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re using any filter cartridges, be sure to change them per the manufacturer\u2019s recommendations.<\/p>\n HOB filter performance can be improved with a few small tweaks. You can buy bulk carbon, sponge\/s, or filter floss and cut them to fit inside. This will add additional filtration and polishing capability to your filter. You can also add bags of bio-media, peat, Seachem Purigen<\/a> or other media types internally to boost filter performance. <\/p>\n Provided you maintain them properly and use the appropriate size and media for your tank, HOB filters can provide clean, healthy water for your tank for years.<\/p>\n You should clean your HOB filter about once every two weeks. Most aquarists find it easiest to do their filter cleaning during routine water changes.<\/p>\n Your filter should be keeping your tank water clear and free of debris, so clean water is a good sign of a functioning filter. However, you should test the levels of toxic chemicals in your water that your filter should be removing. Use a water testing kit<\/a> to monitor ammonia and nitrite levels carefully. Minimal levels of these compounds<\/a> indicate that your filter is working as intended.<\/p>\n Hang-on-back filters work wonderfully in both a freshwater tank and saltwater tank, as long as they use mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration.<\/p>\n Yes, you can. The mechanical and biological media benefit from rinsing during the cleaning process. It\u2019s best to rinse biological media in tank water to help preserve the beneficial bacteria housed inside it.<\/p>\nRecommended HOB Filters:<\/h3>\n
What is the Best HOB Filter?<\/h2>\n
What is a HOB Filter?<\/h2>\n
How Does a HOB Filter Work?<\/h2>\n
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Why Do You Need a HOB Filter?<\/h2>\n
How to Choose a HOB Filter for Your Aquarium<\/h2>\n
1. Required Flow<\/h3>\n
2. Size of Tank<\/h3>\n
3. Media Type<\/h3>\n
4. Price<\/h3>\n
5. Reviews<\/h3>\n
Differences Between a HOB and Canister Filter<\/h2>\n
Best HOB Filter Options<\/h2>\n
1. Our All-Around Recommendation: AquaClear Aquarium Filter<\/a><\/h3>\n
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2. MarineLand Penguin 350 HOB Filter<\/a><\/h3>\n
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3. Fluval C4 Power Filter<\/a><\/h3>\n
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4. MarineLand Emperor Filter<\/a><\/h3>\n
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5. SeaChem Tidal Power Filter<\/a><\/h3>\n
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6. Penn Plax Cascade 150 Filter<\/a><\/h3>\n
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7. Aqueon QuietFlow Filter<\/a><\/h3>\n
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How to Set Up and Maintain a HOB Filter<\/h2>\n
How to Improve HOB Filter<\/h2>\n
HOB Filter FAQs<\/h2>\n
Are HOB Filters Good?<\/h3>\n
How Often Should I Clean My HOB Filter?<\/h3>\n
How Do I Know If My Fish Filter is Working?<\/h3>\n
Can a HOB Filter Be Used for Saltwater?<\/h3>\n
Can You Rinse Fish Filters?<\/h3>\n