9 Best Filters for Flowerhorn Cichlid Tank (2024)

Flowerhorns are very hardy fish, they tend to eat large quantities of pellets (if you feed them), causing shifts in water parameters such as high nitrate, nitrite content, pH, and dissolved solids. This often leads to several diseases in your flowerhorn, such as pop eye, swim bladder issues, white spot disease, and stomach problems.

The first and foremost step to avoid these diseases or illnesses is to provide your flowerhorn with good water conditions, which can be achieved by having the best and most efficient filter for flowerhorn cichlids.

I have been keeping flowerhorn for close to 12 years, and in this journey, I have experienced several issues with filters. Based on those parameters, I have chosen the 9 best filters that can work well for flowerhorns along with their pros and cons. Here is a detailed genuine review of those 9 filters for your flowerhorn cichlid.

A Quick Summary of Best Filters for Flowerhorns in 2024

The best of the 9 filters that you can buy right away for your flowerhorn is summarized below.

The 9 Best Filters for Flowerhorn Cichlids in 2024:

Here is the Fluval FX2 canister model for aquariums. I suggest this one for flowerhorn because they belong to the hardy fish category. Flowerhorns produce relatively large feces, which can lead to water conditions rich in nitrites if not properly filtered. Therefore, having a compact and highly efficient canister filter is essential for every flowerhorn fish owner.

The Fluval FX2 features a compact design with overall mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration capabilities, making it the editor’s choice in our list. Additionally, the self-start feature sets it apart. You simply need to add 1 gallon of water initially (3.9 L), close the valves, and set up to start the canister. This unique feature adds convenience and ease of use.

Penn Plax Cascade is the next on our list. It has garnered over 9000 ratings on the Amazon store reviews, with a surprisingly high number of positive reviews. Most reviewers rated it after six months of usage, which speaks genuine volumes about its quality and performance. The Cascade filter lineup includes five different models: Cascade 500, Cascade 700, Cascade 1000, Cascade 1200, and Cascade 1500.

Since flowerhorn tanks typically hold a high volume of water, starting from at least 75 gallons, it’s crucial to choose a filter capable of effectively cleaning the tank. Therefore, I recommend the Penn Plax Cascade 1000 model. This filter can handle tanks up to 100 gallons in size. However, if your budget allows, you can opt for the Cascade 1200 or 1500 models as well. Starting with the Cascade 1000 is ideal for flowerhorn tanks.

This filter is ideal for those who want an alternative to both Fluval and Penn Plax. It addresses the cons of both filters, although upon analyzing reviews, it falls slightly below them. This is why I’ve ranked it third on this list. However, its performance is nearly on par with the previous canisters.

Offering a three-stage filtration system including mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration, it’s well-suited for flowerhorns. Cost-wise, it’s priced lower than Fluval but a bit higher than Penn Plax. Most reviews are positive, indicating suitability for tank volumes ranging from 75 to 100 gallons. Setting up the Marineland canister is straightforward and can be done within 20 minutes.

While it may seem larger compared to the Fluval FX2 or Cascade 1000, it effectively fulfills its function. Some users have reported leakage and spilling issues during the cleaning process, but this could be due to a defective unit. However, given Marineland’s reputation as a reputable brand, they may provide replacements or support to buyers, as per their track record.

For those seeking an easy setup with a minimalist look for their flowerhorn tank, the “Hang On Back (HOB) filter” is a viable option. You might be wondering why I’ve ranked it fourth on this list. The reason is that priority was given to efficient cleaning for flowerhorn aquariums.

If you’re in need of a portable, minimalist filter for your flowerhorn cichlid, this is the one for you. However, there are some considerations to keep in mind. Since this filter hangs on the back of the tank, it can’t handle large volumes of water for cleaning and may take longer to filter effectively compared to previous canister filters. Nevertheless, it offers benefits such as oxygenation, portability, less noise, high filter media capacity, minimal design, and multi-filter media containers.

This filter is suitable for flowerhorns that are less than 5-6 inches in size or are kept in tanks of less than 30 gallons. You can always upgrade the filter and tank later as your flowerhorn grows. However, if you’re seeking a long-term investment for your Flowerhorn filter and don’t want to switch later, it’s advisable to opt for one of the canister filters (such as Fluval or Penn Plax).

I have added sponge filters to the list, opting for modern-day sponge filters because flowerhorns can swallow some parts of sponges. Nowadays, modern sponge filters come with glass protection, solving this issue. This submersible filter works primarily on suction filtration (mechanical), where the internal power head pumps out the water which passes through the sponges. It effectively filters the tank, especially for beginners or those with small to medium-sized flowerhorn cichlids. (Refer to our flowerhorn growth chart article for a better understanding of flowerhorn age and size)

However, one drawback mentioned is the inability to add external filtration media such as ceramic balls or activated carbon, although the reason for this limitation is not clear. If you’re looking for a simple and cost-effective filter that works well for beginners, then this one is for you

This is the one and only Top Filter model, meaning the filter is placed on the top of the tank. The water is pumped to pass through several filter media that we prefer for our tank. It is quite effective in my opinion, as I have tried it several times while raising flowerhorns. The best part about this type is that it doesn’t disturb the water flow or shake the water; it operates quietly, and you have various options to add filter media in the filter provisions.

The negative of this filter is that it looks weird when placed on top of the tank. If you prioritize the aquarium’s appearance, then this filter may not be for you. However, if you are looking for a flowerhorn filter that can work effectively compared to sponge filters and is cheaper than canisters, then this one is for you

This SunSun HW303B model is suitable for your flowerhorn tank if you don’t have the budget for Fluval or Penn Plax but still want a canister-type filter. Based on my research and analysis, I’ve found that this SunSun model is effectively priced and serves well. It features three large baskets for filter media, providing three types of filter media (activated carbon, bio-balls).

Additionally, it has an inbuilt UV light for sterilization purposes, enhancing filtration effectiveness. According to Amazon reviews, it’s easy to set up and maintain. However, one drawback I found is that it produces some motor sound compared to other canister models.

If you can tolerate this sound issue and work within a budget constraint, this SunSun model is a great choice for your flowerhorn tank.

This submersible dual sponge-type filter is currently a trending option in the market. However, my suggestion is that it is not suitable for fully grown flowerhorn tanks, but it can serve as a secondary or additional filter for the tank. This filter could be suitable if you have a small or medium-sized flowerhorn.

Additionally, this type of filter can be very handy during the setup of a tank for flowerhorn breeding. It comes with small provisions for ceramic balls or activated carbon media and features two stems for the sponge.

The sponge effectively absorbs large waste particles from the flowerhorn. The best thing about this filter is that it doesn’t require separate electrical connections; you simply need to add the tube from an air pump, turn it on, and it works.

Note: It is very suitable for small-sized flowerhorns or breeding tank setups or as a secondary filter. If you want a standalone filter, then consider Fluval, Penn Plax, or other canister types.

This is the last one on our list, a kind of hang-on-back filter model but with some other specifications. It’s relatively cheaper than all canister types, and during analysis, I found it surprising that more than 400 units have been sold in the past month. That’s why I’ve included it here.

Moreover, many people have said that it replaced their canister filter and served as the primary filter. So, I thought it could be a good option for people who have had bad experiences with canisters and don’t want to use them again.

It works well for the top and middle columns of the tank, effectively cleaning them. However, it falls short when it comes to cleaning the lower column. Since flowerhorn feces are heavy and mostly accumulate at the tank bottom, it may not be as effective as a canister filter, which is why I’ve placed it at the bottom of my list.

Note: if you’re looking for a great alternative to a canister filter and are willing to supplement it with other secondary filters, such as the above-mentioned sponge filters, then this Seachem filter is a good choice.

Buyer’s Guide to Choose the Perfect Filter for Flowerhorn Tank:

You cannot use the filter for tetras or bettas for flowerhorn cichlids. As you know, flowerhorns are quite good eaters and produce more excretory waste. So it is the buyer’s responsibility to opt for a suitable filtration system.

Many offline store salespeople will try to sell you low-quality or unsuitable filtration systems to meet their sales targets. It is better to analyze online and determine which filter is suitable for flowerhorn tanks. Therefore, here is the buyer’s guide for purchasing a filter for your Flowerhorn aquarium tank.

• Check the maximum filtration per hour; some filters may go up to 400 gallons per hour, while others may only reach 40 gallons per hour (GPH). This is an important parameter to consider when choosing a filter for your flowerhorn. Higher numbers in GPH may provide better filtration.
• Check the type of filtration – if it includes chemical, biological, and mechanical filtration, it’s a good sign.
• Look for warranty or guarantee periods, and
• Read the manual for how-to-start guides, as some filters may require additional steps such as filling up water initially or priming.
• Avoid filters that produce strong flows inside the tank, as constant water agitation can lead to stress for your flowerhorn.

Major mistakes to Avoid while purchasing aquarium filters for flowerhorn:

• Do not prioritize aesthetics over essential filtration. Always opt for reputable brands or filters with warranty periods.
• Avoid using sponge filters without any protections.
• Avoid purchasing filters with low GPH (gallons per hour) rates, as they may not efficiently filter the water.
• Prefer canister filters over other types, as they effectively remove flowerhorn waste and maintain a healthy environment for your cichlid fish.
• Use a combination of filter media to ensure multi-stage filtration.
• Avoid exposing wire connections inside the aquarium.

Flowerhorn Tank Filter Monthly Maintenance:

• Turn off the filter.
• Remove the filter from the tank.
• Clean the filter with tap water.
• Rinse the filter media with warm water and brush it thoroughly to remove debris.
• Allow the filter components to dry under room temperature.
• Reassemble all components of the filter.
• Replace old sponges with new ones.
• Set up the filter and restart it.

Wrapping Up:

I believe that I’ve shared valuable information on this topic, as I’ve experienced several filter issues with flowerhorns. Even with a good filtration system, my flowerhorns have been susceptible to diseases like pop eye. Later, I found that this was due to a lack of maintenance of those filters, which is why I added a maintenance section in the post. As suggested earlier, if you have the budget, consider investing in cascade filters as they can maintain good water parameters for flowerhorns.

If you’ve already purchased one, please share your experience in the comment section so that others considering buying it can gain insight.

Also, if you have any doubts, feel free to comment below. Thank you for staying till the end. Bye-bye, see you all in another fantastic post. Thaha