How To Hiding Filters & Heaters In An Aquarium (5+ Ways)
Having an aquarium can be a fun and relaxing hobby. Watching colorful fish swim through beautifully decorated aquascapes is therapeutic. However, a common frustration for aquarium owners is the unsightly equipment like filters, heaters and tubing that can detract from the natural aesthetic.
Fortunately, there are creative ways to cleverly conceal these necessary devices to maintain a stunning underwater environment. This guide will provide 10 cool methods for hiding filters, heaters and tubing in your aquarium setup.
Benefits of Concealing Aquarium Equipment
Hiding aquarium equipment like filters and heaters provides several advantages:
- Improves the natural look of the aquarium to showcase the livestock and plants
- Reduces distraction so the eye focuses on the aquatic life
- Creates a more realistic replication of a natural underwater habitat
- Allows for a wider variety of aquascaping arrangements without equipment obstructing the layout
- Prevents injury to inquisitive fish who may tamper with equipment
- Safeguards sensitive species that may be stressed by seeing external devices
Follow these 10 innovative ideas to discretely incorporate necessary aquarium gear.
1. Undergravel Filter
Undergravel filters provide biological and mechanical filtration unobtrusively beneath the substrate layer. Water is drawn down through the gravel, filtered, then circulated back into the tank hidden from view.
How It Works:
An undergravel filter consists of a plastic plate with uplift tubes that sits on the bottom glass of the aquarium. Gravel placed over the plate hides it from sight. Air line tubing attaches to the uplift tubes to create water flow. As water gets pulled through the gravel, debris gets trapped while beneficial bacteria colonize to break down fish waste.
Tips for Success:
- Lift tubes should be placed at opposite ends to maximize flow
- Use an air pump or powerhead to drive water through the gravel
- Ideal for planted tanks to fertilize roots with fish waste
- Combine with hang-on-back filter for added mechanical and chemical filtration
- Perform regular gravel vacuuming to remove trapped debris
2. Internal Power Filter
Internal or inside power filters mount to the interior wall of the aquarium to perform silent filtration out of sight. Adjustable flow rates prevent disturbing delicate fish.
How It Works:
Internal power filters use motorized impellers to suck water into the unit chamber filled with filter media. As water flows through, debris gets trapped while liquids pass back into the tank. Models feature adjustable flow rates.
Tips for Success:
- Strategically place behind plants or decor
- Use spray bar attachments to blend exiting water
- Maintain consistent filter media changes
- Clean impeller and chambers monthly
- Choose appropriate gallons per hour rating for tank
3. Box Filter
Box filters or weir overflow boxes conceal equipment like protein skimmers and heaters in a rear chamber to remove it from the main display.
How It Works:
A box filter gets plumbed into the back wall of the aquarium, essentially dividing it into two separate sections. The front houses the aquascape and fish while equipment hides in the rear chamber. Holes allow water to flow between both sections to maintain life support.
Tips for Success:
- Use for large tanks over 75 gallons
- Create a natural looking overflow with slate or rocks
- Match overflow teeth to prevent flooding
- Use durso or herbie overflows for silent operation
- Constantly drain to sump filters for maximum equipment space
4. Hang-On-Back Filter
Hang-on-back power filters mount to the exterior rim clearing room inside the tank. Adjustable water flow and large media capacity promote crystal clear water.
How It Works:
As the name suggests, hang-on-back filters hook onto the top edge of the aquarium. A water intake stem siphons liquids up into the main canister filled with mechanical and biological filter media. An electric impeller circulates water before exiting via a return nozzle.
Tips for Success:
- Strategically place behind plants or hardscape
- Angle return nozzle to reduce surface disruption
- Use spray bar attachments for a gentle stream
- Maintain consistent filter media changes
- Clean impeller and chambers monthly
5. Built-In Overflow Box
Built-in overflow boxes integrate directly into the aquarium during construction allowing for easy equipment concealment. High-performance options maintain silent operation.
How It Works:
Built-in overflows function similar to box filters with teeth directing water into a hidden rear chamber. Water flows down to a sump filter outside the main tank housing equipment. Durso or herbie style overflows prevent gurgling sounds.
Tips for Success:
- Request when ordering a custom tank
- Match overflow capacity to return pump gallons per hour
- Use multiple drains for redundancy
- Set up emergency drain in case of clogging
- Constantly drain to sump filter outside tank
6. Refugium
Refugiums are secondary chambers connected to the main tank that safely house equipment out of sight while reducing nitrates.
How It Works:
A refugium gets attached to the primary aquarium as an external sump filtering section. Equipment like heaters and protein skimmers mount inside while fast-growing macroalgae removes nutrients exporting clean water back to the display.
Tips for Success:
- Use chaetomorpha or grape caulerpa macroalgae
- Install an efficient light to nourish plants
- Use deep sand beds for added biological filtration
- Maintain ideal nutrients and flow for plant growth
- Use larger refugiums for heavily stocked tanks
7. Substrate Heater
Hydronic substrate heaters warm tanks from below to maintain ideal temperatures while hiding under the gravel unseen. Separate thermostats prevent overheating.
How It Works:
Hydronic heaters use an electric element to softly warm water flowing through a closed loop pipe system underneath the substrate. The gravel hides the tubing obscuring it from view. A separate external thermostat lets you adjust temperatures.
Tips for Success:
- Use with undergravel filter plates
- Place tubing horizontally under substrate
- Ensure even heat distribution across tank
- Use a precise thermostat for accuracy
- Maintain consistent water flow through tubing
8. In-Line Heater
In-line heaters mount outside the tank within pressurized filter plumbing allowing aquarium equipment to be stored remotely out of sight.
How It Works:
In-line heaters connect to exterior canister filter tubing to warm water flowing through the closed system. Adjustable thermostats let you control temperatures precisely. External mounting clears space within the aquarium interior.
Tips for Success:
- Position outside the tank or within a filter chamber
- Use with canister filters for pressurized flow
- Rinse regularly to prevent scale buildup
- Ensure proper wattage for tank size
- Maintain consistent water flow
9. In-Sump Heater
Heating aquariums using an in-sump setup with heaters mounted within the external filter box keeps equipment out of the tank safely hidden.
How It Works:
In-sump heaters transfer warmth to water as it flows through the sump or trickle filter outside the main aquarium. Submersible models mount directly within sump chambers while inline options connect to tubing.
Tips for Success:
- Use with wet/dry trickle filters or sumps
- Select a sump at least 1/3 volume of the tank
- Choose adequate wattage to heat water
- Maintain consistent flow through sump
- Use a separate thermostat for accuracy
10. Cabinet Heater
Cabinet heaters mount to the outside of glass tanks within a concealed stand to warm water internally across a larger surface area.
How It Works:
Cabinet heaters adhere to the exterior bottom panel of glass aquariums using a non-toxic silicone gel. An electric heating element transfers warmth through the glass to evenly distribute heat using natural convection currents.
Tips for Success:
- Ensure even contact with glass surface
- Use shielded models to prevent burns
- Follow safety guidelines carefully
- Maintain consistent internal flow
- Use a separate thermostat for accuracy
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will hiding my aquarium equipment reduce performance?
A: Concealing filtration and heating gear does not decrease functionality provided flow rates and heating capacity meet tank needs. Strategically placing devices helps reduce visual clutter.
Q: Where is the best place to hide my filter intake and outflow?
A: Using spray bar outflows mounted to the rear wall behind plants or hardscape helps obscure equipment. Bottom mounted intakes also draw attention away from equipment.
Q: What is the quietest type of filter for hiding in an aquarium?
A: In general, submersible internal and canister filters produce the least noise making them ideal choices for concealing within an aquarium setup without disruptive humming.
Q: What wattage heater do I need for my size tank?
A: Choose a heater that provides 3 to 5 watts of heating per gallon of water for optimal performance. For example, a 30-gallon aquarium would require a 100 to 150 watt heater.
Q: How can I prevent fish from discovering hidden equipment?
A: Strategically placing intake and outflows toward the rear and sides of the tank keeps curious fish away. Using decoys and barriers also obscures equipment. Dense planting performs double duty by concealing gear and distracting fish.
I hope these 10 cool methods for hiding aquarium equipment like filters, heaters and tubing helps simplify concealing necessary gear. Hiding life support equipment can vastly improve aesthetics allowing aquascapes and fish to shine brilliantly as the centerpiece of your tank. Let me know if you have any other questions!
