Description
AquaClear 20 Hang On Power Filter
The AquaClear 20 is a compact, reliable hang-on-back (HOB) power filter designed for small to medium freshwater aquariums. It’s an excellent entry-level to mid-range option, widely praised for its quiet operation, customizable media, and proven long-term durability. The design has been a hobby favorite for decades, with the newer AC series offering refinements like improved priming and efficiency.
It’s best suited for tanks from 18-76 liters, though many hobbyists use it successfully on lightly stocked 30-80 litre setups or even smaller nano/ betta tanks with flow adjusted down.
It’s particularly popular for community tanks, betta setups or as a secondary filter. Note: Some users note it may need re-priming after short power outages, and for heavily stocked 80 litre tanks, many prefer upsizing to an AC30 or AC50 for stronger flow.
Features:
Multi-stage filtration — Delivers mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration (up to 4 stages in practice, including dual mechanical options with added media). Water flows through foam (mechanical), activated carbon (chemical), and BioMax/biomedia (biological) for clear, healthy water.
Large media capacity — Filtration volume is significantly larger than many comparable small HOB filters, providing better media contact time and more effective pollutant removal.
Adjustable flow control — Patented lever lets you dial flow from low to maximum, ideal for delicate fish (e.g., bettas), planted tanks, or reducing surface agitation.
Easy maintenance & customization — Slide-out media baskets make swapping or adding custom media (e.g., extra sponge, Purigen, more bio-rings) simple without disturbing the biological cycle much.
Quiet & reliable operation — One of the quieter HOB filters; waterfall-style output promotes oxygenation and gentle surface movement.
Includes essential media — Comes with pre-filter sponge/foam, activated carbon, and BioMax (or equivalent biomedia).
Cycle preservation — Media setup helps maintain beneficial bacteria during cleaning; easy to rinse media in tank water.
Simple installation — Hangs on the tank rim (max rim thickness 2.4 cm for this model); self-primes after filling (may need 30-45 seconds initially).
Specifications:
Aquarium Capacity — 18-76 Litres
Max. Flow Rate — 379 LPH; adjustable down to 125 LPH
Wattage — 6-7W
Dimensions (approximate CM) — Compact HOB design, roughly 17.8 L x 10.2W x 15.2H
