An aquarium water clarifier is one of those products that may not necessarily be at the top of your list when planning out your aquarium. However, it is important to have in case you need it. After you have set up your aquarium and introduced plants and creatures to the water, the aquarium becomes their new personal space. Like any personal space, it gets dirty over time. Aquariums also get dirty over time from all of the algae blooms, dust, sediment, pieces of uneaten food, gravel dust, and other organic matter. This creates a large group of tiny particles, making the water look cloudy. These particles are so tiny that they can slip through your filter easily. This cloudy look does not help the fish inside and can eventually affect their health, but even more simply, it looks dirty. Keeping your aquarium water looking clean is part of the maintenance of having an aquarium. So in comes the aquarium water clarifier. A nifty bit of chemical convenience that can get rid of cloudy water very quickly.
In this article, you will get the best choices for aquarium water clarifiers while learning about the specifics of water clarifiers and how they can help your tank water look bright and clean.
Some important points to remember is that if you have just cycled your water for a new aquarium, the cloudiness of bacterial bloom is common, and it will go away on its own. There is no need to buy a water clarifier if this is a new tank of water. If you really need to speed up that process, then a UV sterilizer would work best, but naturally, it will take care of itself quickly.
Furthermore, if your tank water is brown and gross due to neglect, aquarium water clarifiers will not help you. You must return to square one and ensure all the equipment is connected correctly.
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What to Look for When Buying an Aquarium Water Clarifier?
When looking for aquarium water clarifiers, the first step is to make sure that you are buying the appropriate water clarifier. Some of the brands are better suited for freshwater, while others are meant more for saltwater. Another aspect of aquarium water clarifiers is determining whether it is even needed. As mentioned before, there are some situations where it is not necessary. Knowing if your water is soft or hard would also be good if you think you need it. Softer water tends to require less water clarifier than usual. Be sure to check the conditions of your aquarium before buying or using an aquarium water clarifier.
It is also important to remember that when you add an aquarium water clarifier to your tank, the cloudiness might actually get worse before it gets better. This is a normal part of the clarification process because the tiny particles of matter floating around are starting to ball up into larger particles, making them easier to see. After some time, the larger particles will get swept up by the aquarium filtration. Do not be so quick to blame the water clarifier, as this is a common mistake among new hobbyists.
What is the Best Aquarium Water Clarifier?
While many aquarium water clarifiers are on the market, here are some of the best options.
Acurel Water Clarifier
The Acurel Water Clarifier is a natural product that does a great job clarifying any green or polluted water. It treats a total of 250 gallons of water at once and works for all stages of fish development. This product is one of the best aquarium water clarifiers on the market today because of the fact that it is made from organic extracts from renewable natural resources. This makes it one of the best water clarifiers, as it will make your aquarium water crystal clear quickly. The Acurel Water Clarifier is highly rated by a trusted brand, so check out this product if you are looking for something to clear cloudy water from your tank.
Pros
- Highly effective
- Highly rated
- Trusted company
Cons
- Customer service issues reported
Aqueon Water Clarifier
Another fantastic aquarium water clarifier is the Aqueon Water Clarifier that gives some of the best results for cleaning your water. This water treatment is safe for freshwater fish and plants and includes a convenient dosage cap that prevents any overdosing. The Aqueon Water Clarifier creates clean water for your aquarium by getting rid of any organic extracts that might be floating around. The best part is that this particular water clarifier spreads out water changes and keeps your water looking sparkling clean. This is definitely an aquarium water clarifier that you want to check out.
Pros
- Great for freshwater
- Reasonably priced
- Highly rated
Cons
- Better used with larger tanks
Seachem Clarity
Seachem also makes an aquarium water clarifier called the Seachem Clarify. This brand works for both freshwater and saltwater tanks. It is also safe for reefs and plants because it contains a polymeric flocculating agent. This brand has many different uses as it helps remove precipitating and flocculating components, which cleans your water and leaves a crystal clear environment for aquatic creatures. Seachem Clarity is great value for your money as it is a bit cheaper than other brands. It does a fantastic job clearing up any polluted water by clumping smaller particles together to be scooped up by filtration eventually. Check out Seachem’s Clarity, one of the best aquarium water clarifiers.
Pros
- Trusted brand
- Works with fresh or salt water
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Needs good water movement
API ACCU-CLEAR Water Clarifier
Another quality brand is the API ACCU-CLEAR Water Clarifier. This aquarium water clarifier is meant for freshwater tanks and comes in a wide variety of sizes, depending on how big your aquarium is. It can be used weekly or whenever your aquarium water looks cloudy and white. Set at a very reasonable price, the API ACCU-CLEAR Water Clarifier sticks smaller particles of organic matter into larger clumps to be carried away. It is stable, easy to use, and quickly keeps your aquarium water clean and healthy. This is one of the preferred choices of professional aquarium hobbyists, so see if it is a good fit for your tank.
Pros
- Great for freshwater tanks
- Reasonable price
- Comes in variety of sizes
Cons
- Needs precise measurements
Algone Aquarium Water Clarifier and Nitrate Remover
Algone makes water clarifier that also acts as a nitrate remover. This is found in the Algone Aquarium Water Clarifier and Nitrate Remover, which comes in six filter pouches filled with powder. This powder helps create clear water in your tank and lowers the chances of getting cloudy or green water. The six pouches are usually meant for anything from five to 100 gallons of water at a time, while staying safe enough for aquatic plants. The Algone Aquarium Water Clarifier and Nitrate Remover is perfect for anyone with smaller tanks wanting to keep their water crystal clear without harming any beneficial bacteria. These powder-filled filter packs are great consideration for your aquarium water clarifier needs.
Pros
- Convenient filter pouches
- Treats both water and nitrate content
- Safe for aquatic creatures and plants
Cons
- Only comes in packs of two
Tetra Water Clarifier Treatment Solution
The Tetra Water Clarifier Treatment Solution is another one of the top-ranking water clarifiers and comes at a very reasonable price. Best used in freshwater tanks with soft water, this water clarifier works like a charm as it keeps hazy water at bay with its clumping action. This brand does not need much to get rid of any cloudiness that floats inside your tank. The Tetra Water Clarifier Treatment Solution is safe and effective and does not affect any of your water’s pH levels or conditions. It works fast to make your water look clean and fresh for your aquatic contents. This product is highly rated and will definitely a great choice for your aquarium water clarifier.
Pros
- Trusted company
- Reasonable price
- Best for freshwater tanks
Cons
- Quality issues reported
CrystalClear OneFix Water Clarifier
Crystal Clear makes the CrystalClear OneFix Water Clarifier, which can treat a very large scale of water volume. It works great with pond, aquarium, or any water with natural bacteria inside. This brand only needs one ounce per 375 gallons every two weeks to keep the water looking clear and healthy from the outside. The CrystalClear One Fix Water Clarifier is fast acting and safe for all aquatic creatures inside. It uses natural bacteria to digest suspended dead organic matter to keep the water clear. This aquarium water clarifier must be placed somewhere close to the area of the greatest circulation to be well distributed evenly throughout the water. Ideally, after the initial treatment, you only need to apply the treatment every two weeks, which cuts down on usage and potential harm to your fish.
Pros
- Works great with larger waters
- Fast acting
- Only needs two-week treatment
Cons
- Quality issues reported
Kent Marine Tank Clarifier
The Kent Marine Marine Tank Clarifier is another good choice for your aquarium water clarifier. This brand does well to keep the water in your tank looking clear and sparkling and works best with a marine aquarium. This water clarifier is not harmful to fish, corals, or any invertebrates while maintaining the correct chemical composition of the water. The Kent Marine Marine Tank Clarifier does not contain any nitrates or harmful phosphates, which makes it a safe choice for anyone looking for a water clarifier. This water clarifier is made from vitamin and mineral supplements and is a great choice for any aquarium hobbyist.
Pros
- Keeps water looking clean
- No harmful chemicals
- Best for reef systems
Cons
- Better for fish-only aquariums
KloudAway Freshwater Aquarium Water Clarifier
Another of the top ten best aquarium water clarifiers is the KloudAway Freshwater Aquarium Water Clarifier. This water clarifier is fast acting and clears out any haziness or cloudiness in your aquarium water. It works best with freshwater tanks and shows with its crystal-clear formula that gets rid of any gross particles floating around in your tank. The KloudAway Freshwater Aquarium Water Clarifier is safe for most freshwater creatures and will not affect the beneficial bacteria in the biological filtration or the pH level of the water. Make sure to shake this product well before use and you will have a clear and clean view of your aquatic friends.
Pros
- Good for freshwater tanks
- Safe and effective
- Good formula
Cons
- A bit more expensive
EcoBio-Block Stone
Another cool type of aquarium water clarifier is the EcoBio-Block Stone. This is a natural water clarifier and also removes unsightly odors from the water. While priced a bit higher than most other brands, the benefit from this water clarifier is that it is a volcanic rock that sits in your water. It helps to speed up the nitrogen cycle with bacterial spores and helps to reduce the number of maintenance checks since it replenishes the beneficial bacteria. It is simple to use and works with both saltwater and freshwater tanks. The EcoBio-Block is safe for all aquatic creatures and a great advantage to have inside your tank. If you are looking for something that does a bit more for your water, check out this EcoBio-Block Stone for your next aquarium water clarifier.
Pros
- Unique design
- Contains bacteria spores
- Helps with nitrogen cycle
Cons
- Breaks down quickly
There you have the top ten best aquarium water clarifiers on the market today. It is suggested that you do your own due diligence and research what works best for your aquarium situation. Each of these products all have similar features, but still are different in many ways, so be sure to read up on each product more before you buy it.
Best Water Clarifier for Freshwater Aquariums
That being said, there are certainly a lot of options when it comes to picking an aquarium water clarifier. Some of them work strictly with saltwater tanks, while others are strictly meant for freshwater. This is why it is important to look into each of the products. However, the Acurel F25 aquarium water clarifier was the highest rated of all of the freshwater options. This is likely due to the reputation that Acurel has built over the past 45 years. They are a good company that knows what they are talking about regarding aquarium products. If you are still uncertain about which freshwater clarifier to get, the Acurel F25 water clarifier is a safe bet and a good value for money.
Best Water Clarifier for Saltwater Aquariums
As for the aquarium water clarifiers for saltwater aquariums, the Kent Marine Marine Tank Clarifier definitely at the top of that list. It works incredibly well with reef systems and takes good care of the water clearing without harming any saltwater creatures inside. It is safe to use and works quickly to give your saltwater the cleaning treatment it deserves. The Kent Marine Marine Tank Clarifier does not affect the pH levels of the water and keeps your aquatic creatures from any harm. If your saltwater looks cloudy, then this is one of the best to grab.
How does aquarium water clarifier work?
That is understandable if you are still uncertain about how aquarium water clarifiers work. They have a unique way of clearing up your tank. The way it works is that the aquarium water eventually will build up with tiny particles of algae, dust, etc. and become dirty. This build-up of these tiny particles is seen as a cloudy form that takes over the water. Aquarium water clarifiers are a formula that makes these tiny particles stickier. When the particles bump into each other, they begin to create larger and larger forms. Eventually, the larger forms of clumped particles will become large enough that the mechanical filter will be able to catch a hold of them and pull them out of the water. After enough of these larger particles scooped up by the filter, the cloudiness of the water should go away.
What are the different types of water clarifiers?
As you may have noticed in this article, many different types of water clarifiers exist. Therefore, it is imperative to look into what your aquarium specifically needs. You don’t want to end up buying the wrong type because that could lead to disastrous consequences. You have some clarifiers for saltwater and freshwater, but others that provide additional benefits, like nitrate and ammonia removal. Some come in powder form, while others take the shape of a big rock. For an aquarium, any aquarium water clarifier would only need to be used in a limited basis. A little goes a long way with many of these types of products. Many of the different types of water clarifiers include various features of shape and how it distributes throughout the water flow.
How long does a Water Clarifier Work in a Fish Tank?
The amount of time it takes for your aquarium water to go from cloudy to clear depends on several factors. As mentioned before, there are many different types of water clarifiers and each have their own parameters in how long they take to work. Some of them can work in just one or two days, while others may take more like a week or ten days before you see the water start to clear up. Make sure that you have a steady amount of water flow so that the formula can be evenly distributed throughout the tank. Generally, it should not take too long for the cloudiness to go away. Remember that you should use patience when applying any water clarifier. Ensure you read the directions carefully and know how much of the formula you are putting into the tank at a time.
How Often Should I use an Aquarium Water Clarifier?
With many aquarium water clarifiers, you can use them once every 24 hours, but most aquariums should not need so much. If you add too much water clarifier, then it can have turn your water a cloudy brown color. That should be harmless and sort itself out after some time has passed. The important thing to remember is to have patience. Wait for some time to see what kind of affect the water clarifier has on your water. If you keep up with the other regular maintenance, then the need for water clarifiers would diminish. Most hobbyists keep their other filters and water flow consistent which only needs water clarification once every week or two, but it depends on your aquatic situation.
Are water clarifiers harmful to your fish?
Aquarium water clarifiers have no effect on the pH levels of your water and can maintain healthy levels for any beneficial bacteria growing. Generally speaking, water clarifiers are not harmful to your fish. That being said, there are a lot of people who have issues with water clarifiers killing their fish. Many of these situations are caused by people not buying the correct type of water clarifier or not following the correct directions when applying it to the water. If used correctly, water clarifiers will clean the tiny particles out of your tank and should not harm your fish or plants. Just make sure you have the correct type!
Can water clarifier be applied with fish in the tank?
If you already have fish in your tank, applying an aquarium water clarifier should not negatively affect the fish or plants inside. Assuming that you have the correct type for your tank, gently introducing the water clarifier to the water should disperse throughout the water without harming any of your fish.
