Buying guide

Internal Filters

Our pick

Fluval U2

Choose the Fluval U2 for a 45 to 110 litre aquarium when you want adjustable output and supplied media.¹²

Why this one

The Fluval U2 combines adjustable output with supplied media and a 45 to 110 litre tank rating.¹²

Read the review

Compare the alternatives

The alternatives

Other contenders

EHEIM aqua 60
Choose the EHEIM aqua 60 for a 30 to 60 litre aquarium when you want supplied media, a box that accepts different media and the option to add filter modules.³
EHEIM aquaCorner 60
Choose the EHEIM aquaCorner 60 for a 10 to 60 litre aquarium when you want to remove the media parts for cleaning while the motor unit stays in the tank.⁴
EHEIM biopower 160
Choose the EHEIM biopower 160 when easy removal for cleaning matters. The filter lifts out of its holder and has adjustable output; check its complete tank range before buying.⁵⁶⁷
EHEIM biopower 240
For a 160 to 240 litre aquarium, choose the EHEIM biopower 240 when you want adjustable output and an aimable return flow.⁸⁹
EHEIM PowerLine 200
For a 100 to 200 litre aquarium, choose the EHEIM PowerLine 200 when you want a supplied air diffuser and media, with modules you can add to the filter body.¹⁰

Buying advice

Match the recommended tank range and electrical version to your aquarium. Leave room to remove the filter for cleaning. If the model has an output control, use it to adjust the current.¹²⁵

Rated to at least 180 litres

For an aquarium within its 160 to 240 litre rating, the EHEIM biopower 240 offers adjustable output and an aimable return flow.⁸⁹

Power draw of 5 watts or less

Choose the EHEIM pickup 60 if its tank range fits and you want adjustable output with a listed 4 watt draw. Check that its 230 volt version matches your supply.¹⁹²³²⁸

EHEIM pickup 60

With venturi aeration

For a 30 to 60 litre aquarium, choose the EHEIM aqua 60 if you want a supplied diffuser and hose alongside adjustable filter output. Check the aeration needs of your setup before choosing.³

Compare the options

20 products

Models in this comparison

Every specification for these products

Specification	Fluval U2	EHEIM aqua 60	EHEIM aqua 160	EHEIM aqua 200	EHEIM aquaball 60	EHEIM aquaball 130	EHEIM aquaball 180	EHEIM aquaCorner 60	EHEIM biopower 160	EHEIM biopower 200	EHEIM biopower 240	EHEIM miniUP	EHEIM pickup 45	EHEIM pickup 60	EHEIM pickup 160	EHEIM pickup 200	EHEIM PowerLine 200	Fluval U1	Fluval U3	Fluval U4
Largest rated tank	110 l²	60 l³	160 l¹¹	200 l¹²	60 l¹³	130 l¹⁴	180 l¹⁵	60 l⁴	160 l⁷	200 l¹⁶	240 l⁹	30 l¹⁷	Up to 45 l¹⁸	60 l¹⁹	160 l²⁰	200 l¹⁸	200 l¹⁰	55 l²	150 l²	240 l²
Flow rate	400 l/h (Environment: 120 V / 60 Hz)²	300 l/h³	440 l/h¹¹	440 l/h¹²	480 l/h¹³	550 l/h¹⁴	650 l/h¹⁵	200 l/h (Environment: 230 V / 50 Hz)²¹	550 l/h⁷	650 l/h¹⁶	750 l/h⁹	Up to 300 l/h²²	180 l/h¹⁸	300 l/h (Environment: 50 Hz)¹⁹	500 l/h²⁰	570 l/h¹⁸	600 l/h (Environment: 230 V / 50 Hz)¹⁰	250 l/h (Environment: 120 V / 60 Hz)²	600 l/h (Environment: 120 V / 60 Hz)²	1,000 l/h (Environment: 120 V / 60 Hz)²
Media capacity	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	0.33 l²⁰	Not published	0.39 l¹⁰	Not published	Not published	Not published
Power draw	5 W (Environment: 120 V / 60 Hz)²	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	5 W (Environment: 230 V / 50 Hz)⁴	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	4 W²³	6 W (Tested configuration: 230 V/50 Hz)²⁰	Not published	10 W (Environment: 230 V / 50 Hz)¹⁰	5 W (Environment: 120 V / 60 Hz)²	6 W (Environment: 120 V / 60 Hz)²	12 W (Environment: 120 V / 60 Hz)²
Adjustable flow	Yes²	Yes³	Yes¹¹	Yes²⁴	Yes¹³	Yes²⁵	Yes⁶	Not published	Yes⁶	Yes²⁶	Yes⁸	Yes²²	Yes²⁷	Yes²⁸	Yes²⁸	Yes²⁸	Not published	Yes²⁹	Yes³⁰	Yes³⁰
Venturi aeration	Not published	Yes³	Yes¹¹	Yes²⁴	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Yes¹⁰	Not published	Not published	Not published
Media options	Not published	Yes³	Yes¹¹	Yes²⁴	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Yes⁶	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published
Directional outlet	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Yes²⁶	Yes⁸	Not published	Not published	Yes²⁸	Yes²⁸	Yes²⁸	Not published	Not published	Yes³⁰	Yes³⁰

How they compare

Scroll the table to see every product and specification.

Specification	Our pickFluval U2	EHEIM aqua 60	EHEIM aqua 160	EHEIM aqua 200	EHEIM aquaball 60	EHEIM aquaball 130	EHEIM aquaball 180	EHEIM aquaCorner 60	EHEIM biopower 160	EHEIM biopower 200	EHEIM biopower 240	EHEIM miniUP	EHEIM pickup 45	EHEIM pickup 60	EHEIM pickup 160	EHEIM pickup 200	EHEIM PowerLine 200	Fluval U1	Fluval U3	Fluval U4
Largest rated tank	110 l²	60 l³	160 l¹¹	200 l¹²	60 l¹³	130 l¹⁴	180 l¹⁵	60 l⁴	160 l⁷	200 l¹⁶	240 l⁹	30 l¹⁷	Up to 45 l¹⁸	60 l¹⁹	160 l²⁰	200 l¹⁸	200 l¹⁰	55 l²	150 l²	240 l²
Flow rate	400 l/h (Environment: 120 V / 60 Hz)²	300 l/h³	440 l/h¹¹	440 l/h¹²	480 l/h¹³	550 l/h¹⁴	650 l/h¹⁵	200 l/h (Environment: 230 V / 50 Hz)²¹	550 l/h⁷	650 l/h¹⁶	750 l/h⁹	Up to 300 l/h²²	180 l/h¹⁸	300 l/h (Environment: 50 Hz)¹⁹	500 l/h²⁰	570 l/h¹⁸	600 l/h (Environment: 230 V / 50 Hz)¹⁰	250 l/h (Environment: 120 V / 60 Hz)²	600 l/h (Environment: 120 V / 60 Hz)²	1,000 l/h (Environment: 120 V / 60 Hz)²
Media capacity	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	0.33 l²⁰	Not published	0.39 l¹⁰	Not published	Not published	Not published
Power draw	5 W (Environment: 120 V / 60 Hz)²	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	5 W (Environment: 230 V / 50 Hz)⁴	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	4 W²³	6 W (Tested configuration: 230 V/50 Hz)²⁰	Not published	10 W (Environment: 230 V / 50 Hz)¹⁰	5 W (Environment: 120 V / 60 Hz)²	6 W (Environment: 120 V / 60 Hz)²	12 W (Environment: 120 V / 60 Hz)²
Adjustable flow	Yes²	Yes³	Yes¹¹	Yes²⁴	Yes¹³	Yes²⁵	Yes⁶	Not published	Yes⁶	Yes²⁶	Yes⁸	Yes²²	Yes²⁷	Yes²⁸	Yes²⁸	Yes²⁸	Not published	Yes²⁹	Yes³⁰	Yes³⁰
Venturi aeration	Not published	Yes³	Yes¹¹	Yes²⁴	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Yes¹⁰	Not published	Not published	Not published
Media options	Not published	Yes³	Yes¹¹	Yes²⁴	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Yes⁶	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published
Directional outlet	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Yes²⁶	Yes⁸	Not published	Not published	Yes²⁸	Yes²⁸	Yes²⁸	Not published	Not published	Yes³⁰	Yes³⁰