How Much Per Hour Filtration on a 55 Gallon Aquarium?

You have a 55-gallon aquarium and want to know how much filtration you need? You are in the right place. The sources explain how filters work and what to look for when buying a filter for a 55-gallon aquarium.

Table of Contents

Filtration for a Healthy Aquarium

A filter keeps your aquarium water clean for your fish. Fish waste and uneaten food make the water dirty. Filters remove this waste and keep the water healthy.

Turnover Rate

Turnover rate measures how many times each hour the filter cleans all the water. A 55-gallon aquarium needs a turnover rate of four to eight times per hour. This means the filter should clean 220 to 440 gallons of water every hour.

Filter Ratings

Filters have labels that say how many gallons per hour (gph) they clean. However, these numbers often reflect ideal conditions and not real-world use. The real flow rate in your aquarium may be half of the advertised amount. Therefore, you should consider a filter with a higher gph than you initially calculate.

Filter Options

Hang-on-back (HOB) filters are easy to use and attach to the back of your tank.
Canister filters sit under the tank and clean large amounts of water.
Sponge filters use an air pump to create a gentle water flow. Sponge filters work well for raising baby fish and as an extra filter.

Many people use two filters on a 55-gallon aquarium. You can combine a canister filter with an HOB filter or a sponge filter.

What Impacts Flow Rate?

Several factors can impact flow rate, such as:

The type and number of fish in your aquarium. More fish create more waste and require more filtration.
The type of aquarium. Planted tanks need a slower flow rate than fish-only tanks.
Equipment like UV sterilizers and heaters. This equipment slows down water flow, and you may need a larger filter to compensate.

You can change the water flow in your aquarium by aiming the filter output at the glass or using a spray bar. Decorations and plants can also help slow down the water.

Signs of a Healthy Aquarium

You can see if your filter is working by looking at your aquarium. The water should be clear, and the fish should be active and have bright colors.

Filter Maintenance

Keeping your filter clean is important. Rinse the filter media every few weeks using aquarium water. Replace filter media when it no longer expands well, has tears, or if water flow is reduced.

By choosing the right filter and keeping it clean, your fish can live in a clean and healthy 55-gallon aquarium.