What Canister Filter Should I Buy? Aqua One vs Fluval vs Eheim
Choosing the right canister filter for your aquarium can be a bit overwhelming. There are heaps of options out there, all claiming to be the best, and prices can range from under $150 to well over $800.
At Simply Fish, we sell a lot of canister filters, and we also get to see how they perform long-term when we're out maintaining our customers' aquariums.
If you walked into our Christchurch store and asked me which canister filter you should buy, there are three brands I'd be talking to you about: Aqua One, Fluval and Eheim.
All three make great filters, but they're suited to slightly different setups and budgets. Here's how I'd break them down.
Aqua One Canister Filters – Best Value for Money
If you're after a reliable canister filter that won't break the bank, Aqua One is where I'd start.
Aqua One is easily our most popular canister filter brand at Simply Fish, and for good reason. They're affordable, easy to maintain and available in a massive range of sizes.
Aqua One Aquis Range
The Aquis range is a great starting point, particularly for smaller and medium-sized aquariums.
You've got the Aquis CF500, CF700 and CF1200, offering different flow rates depending on your aquarium size.
They're straightforward filters that do exactly what you need them to do. They provide plenty of room for biological filter media, keep the water circulating and are relatively simple to pull apart for cleaning.
For someone setting up their first tropical aquarium, or wanting to move away from an internal filter, these are fantastic value.
Aqua One Ocellaris Range – Our Most Popular Choice
If you want to take things up a notch, I'd start looking at the Aqua One Ocellaris range.
The Ocellaris is available in four sizes: 400, 850, 1400 and 3000 litres per hour.
Where things get interesting is the UV option.
Both the 850 and 1400 are available with built-in UV-C clarification, while the larger 3000 comes with UV-C as standard.
If you're standing in front of me in the shop choosing between the standard Ocellaris and the UV version, I'm probably going to tell you to spend the little bit extra and get the UV.
Why?
UV clarification can make a real difference to water clarity, particularly when dealing with free-floating algae that causes green water. It isn't going to magically remove the algae growing on your glass or plants, but it's a useful extra tool to have.
And personally, if I'm already spending a few hundred dollars on a decent canister filter, I'd rather have that option built in than get home and regret it. It's pretty hard to return a used canister filter...
Our Best-Selling Canister Filter: Ocellaris 1400 UVC
The Aqua One Ocellaris 1400 UVC is our most popular canister filter at Simply Fish.
It's rated for aquariums around 250–400 litres and provides excellent filtration capacity for the money.
One situation we see all the time is customers running Juwel Rio aquariums who find their factory filtration is struggling as their fish grow or stocking levels increase.
We regularly recommend adding an Ocellaris 1400 UVC to provide additional mechanical and biological filtration. It's a great upgrade without needing to spend a fortune replacing the entire setup.
Obviously, adding a bigger filter doesn't mean you can endlessly add more fish, but having that extra filtration capacity can make a big difference.
Our verdict: For most everyday freshwater aquariums, Aqua One offers the best value for money. If your budget allows, the Ocellaris UVC models would be my pick.
Fluval Canister Filters – Best Premium Option
Now, if budget isn't your biggest concern and you want something seriously good, Fluval is well worth considering.
Fluval canister filters definitely sit towards the premium end of the market, but there's a reason people are willing to spend the extra money.
They're powerful, quiet, reliable and generally very well thought out.
Fluval FX2, FX4 and FX6
The Fluval FX range is pretty hard to beat when it comes to serious aquarium filtration.
You've got the FX2, FX4 and FX6, all designed for aquariums needing substantial water movement and filtration capacity.
These filters are absolute workhorses.
When we're out servicing customers' tanks, it's not uncommon to see the more serious fishkeepers running a Fluval FX. Particularly those keeping large cichlids, monster fish or heavily stocked aquariums.
The large filter capacity means they can collect a serious amount of waste before needing attention, and they're surprisingly quiet considering how much water they move.
I also really like the self-priming system. Anyone who has spent time trying to restart a stubborn canister filter after cleaning it will appreciate that!
They still require regular maintenance, of course, but they're designed to make life easier.
If you're setting up a large aquarium and want a filter you can rely on for years, the FX range would be very high on my list.
Fluval 07 Series – 107, 207, 307 and 407
Not everyone needs an FX6 sitting underneath their aquarium.
For smaller and medium-sized setups, the Fluval 07 range is another excellent option.
The 107, 207, 307 and 407 are all quiet, easy to operate and built to a really high standard.
I'd particularly recommend these to people who want a quality filter that's simple to maintain and doesn't make a racket in their living room.
The Fluval 407 External Canister Filter is a great example of what the range offers.
What About UV Filtration on Fluval Filters?
One downside with Fluval is that the canister filters don't come with built-in UV sterilisation.
Personally, I'd love to see that as an option.
However, it doesn't mean you can't run UV alongside your Fluval filter.
You can install a separate inline UV clarifier, such as an appropriately sized ClearTec or Eheim reeflexUV unit, provided it's compatible with your filter's hose size and flow rate.
We actually run a 36W ClearTec UV clarifier on our shop's planted display aquarium, and the difference we've seen in water clarity has been night and day.
It's certainly an upgrade worth considering if you're chasing that really clear water.
Our verdict: Fluval is my pick for premium filtration, particularly for larger aquariums, messy fish and anyone wanting a powerful, quiet filter with plenty of media capacity.
Eheim Canister Filters – Reliable, Compact and Easy to Use
Eheim is another brand I have a lot of time for.
Unfortunately, Eheim canister filters can be quite difficult to get hold of here in New Zealand, which is a shame because they're genuinely excellent.
Out of the different canister filters I've personally worked with, some of the Eheim models would rank right at the top for ease of setup and everyday use.
Everything feels well thought out, and they're incredibly straightforward to operate.
One thing I particularly like about Eheim is the variety of filter designs and sizes available.
If you've got limited space inside your aquarium cabinet but still need decent filtration, there's a good chance Eheim has an option worth looking at.
Some of their premium thermo-filter models also have integrated heaters, which is a brilliant feature if you don't want a big heater sitting inside your display aquarium.
It's a small detail, but anyone who's spent time trying to hide aquarium equipment behind plants and driftwood will understand the appeal.
Performance-wise, Eheim filters are excellent. They're reliable, efficient and more than capable of handling demanding setups when you choose the right model.
The biggest downside really is availability.
If you're interested in an Eheim canister filter, get in touch with us at Simply Fish. We may be able to source one for you from overseas.
Our verdict: Eheim is an excellent choice for anyone wanting a reliable, easy-to-use filter, particularly where cabinet space or equipment presentation is important.
Aqua One vs Fluval vs Eheim – Which Is Best?
Here's how I'd sum up the three brands.
| Brand | Best For | Our Opinion |
|---|---|---|
| Aqua One | Best value and general aquarium use | Affordable, dependable and our most popular choice |
| Fluval | Premium setups, large fish and heavy bioloads | Powerful, quiet and built for serious filtration |
| Eheim | Compact setups, reliability and ease of use | Excellent engineering, but harder to source in NZ |
A Few Things to Consider Before Buying
Before deciding which canister filter to buy, there are a couple of things I'd always consider.
1. Your aquarium size
A canister filter should be appropriately sized for your aquarium. Don't just look at the litres-per-hour figure on the box, either. Actual flow can be lower once you've added filter media, hoses and some accumulated waste.
2. The fish you're keeping
A lightly stocked planted aquarium and a heavily stocked cichlid aquarium can require very different amounts of filtration, even when they're the same size.
Large, messy fish generally benefit from more filtration capacity.
3. How much maintenance you want to do
A larger canister with generous media capacity can often go longer between major cleanings, depending on the setup.
However, no canister filter is maintenance-free, and keeping your biological media healthy is just as important as keeping the water clear.
4. Whether UV filtration matters to you
UV can be excellent for controlling green water, but it's not essential for every aquarium.
If algae growing on your plants or decorations is your main issue, you'll still need to address things like lighting, nutrients and general aquarium maintenance.
So, What Canister Filter Would I Actually Buy?
For most customers walking into Simply Fish, my recommendation would be Aqua One.
The value for money is hard to beat, the range covers just about every common aquarium size, and replacement parts and media are readily available.
If you've got a medium-to-large aquarium and the budget allows, I'd be pointing you towards the Aqua One Ocellaris 1400 UVC. It's our best-selling canister filter for a reason.
If you're keeping monster fish, running a very large aquarium or simply want to invest in premium filtration, then I'd be looking seriously at the Fluval FX range.
And if you've got a specific setup where space is tight or you want an integrated heating option, Eheim is definitely worth exploring.
At the end of the day, there isn't one canister filter that's best for everybody.
The right filter depends on your aquarium size, stocking level, budget and what you want out of it.
If you're still unsure, get in touch with us at Simply Fish. Tell us what aquarium you've got, what fish you're keeping and what you're currently running.
We'll happily point you in the right direction.
Shop Canister Filters at Simply Fish
Written by the Simply Fish team, Christchurch, New Zealand.