Top 5 Aquaponic Biofilters That You Should Buy In 2022

Biofilters are one of the most crucial aspects of any aquaponic system no matter how it is designed. There is a 90% chance that you know how important aquaponic biofilters are, otherwise you wouldn’t search for them online. So, let’s skip the introductory part and dive deep into the top 5 aquaponic biofilters that you should buy in 2022.

The top 5 biofilters that you should consider buying in 2022 are:

Before taking a look at these biofilters, let’s talk first about why you should buy an aquaponic biofilter rather than make a DIY one.

Buying an Aquaponic Biofilter VS Making a DIY one

There are a lot of online resources where you can learn how to make a DIY aquaponic biofilter. However, should you really make a DIY filter?

At the beginning of your aquaponic journey, it is completely normal to do some newbie mistakes that can impact your fish or plants in a variety of ways. It’s okay, we have all been there, and it’s part of a learning curve that you will pass through as you get more experienced.

In my opinion, investing in a ready-made aquaponic biofilter at the beginning of your journey is a smart choice. You will save yourself so much time, energy, and most importantly money.

I have seen hundreds of hobbyists investing a lot of money into assembling their aquaponic systems only to find their fish dead after a couple of weeks due to nitrate poisoning. When you look back and try to find out what really happened that resulted in this mess, the answer was simple, they relied on a DIY biofilter that was not properly assembled to meet their system needs.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not against DIY biofilters by all means. DIY filters could be a great choice if done correctly. However, there is a 50% chance that the filter you have assembled might not work as expected. So, I prefer to eliminate as many risks as possible, especially at the beginning of your aquaponic journey, when you are still less experienced.

So, here are my top 5 aquaponic biofilters that I personally recommend any beginner to try.

1-The TetraPond Submersible Flat Box Filter

This biofilter is the cheapest one you can get for aquaponics. You can check its price on Amazon here.

It is a perfect choice for new beginners who are on a tight budget and don’t want to spend a lot of money.

I don’t recommend this filter for aquaponic systems that have more than 250 gallons of water. It will not withstand the high ammonia concentrations that your fish will produce. It is more suitable for aquaponics on a small scale.

One of the perks of getting this biofilter is that its filters are easily removed and cleaned. you will not need to get replacement filters every now and then like the rest of biofilters. Moreover, this filter has a long life span and can run for over 3 years without having any problems.

One thing I have to mention is that due to the lightweight of this biofilter, it tends to float on the water surface. The filter must be completely submerged to the bottom of the water tank to catch all the debris and work properly. I suggest adding some pea gravel inside so that it weights the filter down and also gives the nitrifying bacteria extra push to grow and thrive.

2-The Tetrapond clear choice biofilter pf-1 for efficient filtration

This aquaponics filter is the second most affordable choice to get. If the tetrapond submersible flat box filter isn’t enough for your system and you need an upgrade, this filter will be just fine. You can check it here on amazon.

The tetrapond clear choice biofilter can be used in aquaponic systems up to 500 gallons. There are hundreds of hobbyists who have tried it, and the results were magnificent. Hobbyists would typically try it on their ponds when there is algae bloom during summer, only to find out the next day that the algae are completely gone and their fish can swim safely in crystal clear water. The same applies to aquaponics. In fact, aquaponics and fish ponds have the same ecosystem.

It’s also important to mention that some hobbyists have experienced leakage from their filters. However, a simple solution to this is to place the filter in a higher place than the water tank. Moreover, you need to make sure that the pump does not exceed 500 gallons per hour to avoid overpressure.

I have to mention that you will need to let the biofilter run for 4 to 6 weeks before adding any fish to the system. This will give time for the bacteria to grow to a sufficient level.

3-TotalPond Complete Pond Filter with UV Clarifier Black

If the first two filters are not sufficient enough for you, I think you will need to get this Totalpond Complete filter. It can filter up to 1200 gallons of water easily. You can check the filter’s price on Amazon here.

One of the perks that I personally love about this filter is that it has an ultraviolet clarifier that purifies the water from harmful bacteria and algae. Don’t worry, these UV rays won’t reach the nitrifying bacteria living inside your filter. Moreover, due to its small size, it can be easily fitted inside anything without needing to worry about it.

If you decided to purchase this filter, I advise you to tighten the top lid with duct tape to avoid any leaks. Also, you should zip tie the inlet and outlet hose to secure them tightly in case of high water pressure.

4-SunSun Sun CBF-350 Biological Pond Filter

This is by far the most durable and efficient aquaponic biofilter out there. However, it is considered in a slightly higher price point when compared to the previously mentioned filters. You can check its price here on Amazon.

This filter can work on aquaponic systems as large as 1500 gallons. It comes with a UV light add on that sterilize the water from harmful bacteria and algae. You will not find any hassle while assembling it due to its easy and flawless design. The working mechanism of this filter involves 4 different medias that will act on cleaning the water efficiently.

The reason why I adore this filter and recommend anyone to get it is because it is almost the only filter that I didn’t see anyone having any complains about it. This is because of it’s solid build and great design which allow it to work seamlessly without any problems.

5-OASE BioSmart 5000 Pond Filter

Another great option that you should consider buying is the OASE Biosmart filter. If for anyreason, the SunSun CBF-350 filter isn’t available, this filter would be a fantastic choice. It has the same solid design established by high quality materials. You can check its price on Amazon here.

One of the many thing that I like about this OASE BioSmart filter is that it have an indicator to tell you when you should clean the filters.