Tetra Whisper IQ Power Filter 20 Gallons, 130 GPH, with Stay Clean Technology

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars | 10,699 ratings

Price: 16.14

Last update: 08-12-2024


About this item

QUIET AQUARIUM FILTER: The Tetra Whisper IQ Power Filter with Stay Clean technology contains a sound shield for quiet filtration less than 40 dB.
SELF PRIMING: Submerged motor starts up with no priming required.
CAPACITY: The Tetra Whisper IQ 20 Power Filter works in filters up to 20 gallons (130 GPH).
STAY CLEAN TECHNOLOGY: By maintaining healthy pH levels, creates easier maintenance for healthier fish.
CARTRIDGE REFILLS: Change cartridges monthly; uses large-sized Tetra Whisper Bio-Bag Filter Cartridges (refills sold separately).

Product information


Top reviews from the United States

nbeil
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible for such a low price!
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2024
Im so glad I decided to buy this. At walmart a 10 gallon filter was 40$ and i found it here for such a better price. It works really well, its not too loud and looks pretty decent.
Jason
5.0 out of 5 stars Quiet and reliable function, moves a lot of water.
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2018
I've owned several Whisper branded power filters, as well as Rena external power filters, over the years and this is a review for the 60-gallon Whisper IQ. I actually have this 60-gallon unit mounted on a 75-gallon tank. From experience I think you can run a bit smaller filter and still get good quality water cleaning from the Whisper brand filters, and with these types of tank 'hanging' filters, you'll need plenty of tank wall real estate and can save some by going a little smaller. With my 75, I've got several feet of back wall space, but the 60g still takes a considerable width of the back wall.

I really like the modular cartridge system. You can use Whisper's included activated carbon, or your media own to fill the disposable bags, I often rotate between activated carbon and zeolite. The 60-gal model uses two filter bags. Whisper sells bulk, I buy 12-packs of bags/media which are reasonably priced.

The 75-gallon tank this filter resides in is home to a variety of community fish - tetras, gourami, guppies, mostly, along with live plants. Fish are fed once a day.

The filter does it's job day in and day out. It's not so powerful as to instantly suck up all the flaked food that's put in the tank, nor have have any of the smaller fish (guppies) been injured or trapped by the pressure at the intake. Nonetheless, running 24/7, this filter moves and circulates a lot of water, and does it's part (along with the biologics) to keep the water crystal clear. Mechanical/motor noise level is minimal. The pleasant sound of falling/moving water is more noticeable than anything mechanical. The top of the filter is easily accessible through a removable top panel. Filter bags are easy to inspect and replace. The impeller has never jammed and the intake grate keeps large debris from damaging the impeller assembly. The top panel fits well and so far as I can tell there is no appreciable water loss through condensation occurring as a part of the filter's cycle.

Happy with the purchase and wouldn't hesitate to purchase again, or a different model from the same manufacturer.
Shane
4.0 out of 5 stars Great pump
Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2024
It's a pretty good pump, has a very minor downfall but the operation of the pump itself is flawless....

The only downside I am experiencing is the lid of the pump is often rattling and be annoying would be easily fixed with some type of sealer for the lid to keep it from being plastic on plastic and help seal the lid on more secure

If not for that 1 minor flaw ide give it 5 stars it's easy to take apart and clean every single component ???? and the pump itself really is quiet as you see it's in my room so I need to be able to sleep this pump is perfect ???? I can make it almost like a really soft running creek noise and pass out almost instantly ????????????????
Customer image
Shane
4.0 out of 5 stars Great pump
Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2024
It's a pretty good pump, has a very minor downfall but the operation of the pump itself is flawless....

The only downside I am experiencing is the lid of the pump is often rattling and be annoying would be easily fixed with some type of sealer for the lid to keep it from being plastic on plastic and help seal the lid on more secure

If not for that 1 minor flaw ide give it 5 stars it's easy to take apart and clean every single component ???? and the pump itself really is quiet as you see it's in my room so I need to be able to sleep this pump is perfect ???? I can make it almost like a really soft running creek noise and pass out almost instantly ????????????????
Images in this review
Customer image
T. Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect size for 40 gallon
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2024
Works excellent and adjustable flow. Quite and good quality product. Easy to setup and clean. I would recommend this product.
Customer image
T. Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect size for 40 gallon
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2024
Works excellent and adjustable flow. Quite and good quality product. Easy to setup and clean. I would recommend this product.
Images in this review
Customer image
J Stough
5.0 out of 5 stars Customer Satisfied...
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2024
Functions exactly as advertised. Quiet and efficient. My 30 gallon aquarium is clean with no damage to its ecosystem. I recommend. Thanks
Kevin Galeano
5.0 out of 5 stars Engineering Masterpiece (DEAD SILENT, HIGH AERATION, CHEAP)
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2020
This product is actually genius. Enough so, that I am actually writing a review. I thought that filter companies have given up on trying to improve the engineering process of their filters. I have been seeing complaints over the motor design, but that's understandable unless you have a background in engineering or have experienced the filter in action.

Basically, by disconnecting the motor from the base frame of the filter, the vibrations caused by the motor are now isolated and suspended in the water, which absorbs the sound, and prevents the actual shaking of the filter compartment that a lot of people have issues with when it comes to noise (even has additional shock absorbing material to further prevent transfer of vibration). This filter is S I L E N T. I do not hear it unless I lift my aquarium hood and put my ear to the water. I've used aqua clears, marinas, aqua techs, and the older tetra filters, and nothing beats the silence these provide. I have a 20 gallon aquarium 3 feet away from where I sleep and I hear nothing, I was super concerned I would have to relocate the tank after setting it up, but this filter is king.

Also, the filter output chute is genius for providing agitation of the water surface (which you need, otherwise your fish can't breath because that's how oxygen is introduced into water, through gas exchange). You can see it actually reagitates the water even before entering with the slight "dent" in it. Even the bimedia plastic flask impressed me, the curved "resistors" on top of it gives a really nice place for bacterial to cluster and and dilute the water for more aeriation.

It also comes with a new kind of filter media (which I'm sure is great, but seems to be expensive and I used my own media configuration).

I customized the 20 gallon filter to use aqua clear mechanical sponges, I also cut the included tetra filter media in half, removed the carbon to use as filter floss, and on top I have aqua clear biological media. (3 pack of sponge is $1.82, I use two (these can be permanently reused, clean them when they get nasty with water, there is cheap filter floss on amazon, and the bio media cost me around $3.00 and that is permanent, get size 30 gallons and above for the media since the compartment is big). This is much more sustainable than using the tetra replacement media, but it IS MORE MESSY TO CLEAN. I also use the included blue biological filter compartment as well because it's just so great. I also recommend an intake sponge to cover it in case you have snails or a betta like me (look at marina filters for an example).

I have a betta and I lower the flow at night and raise it during the day when he's out exercising and the kuhli loaches come out to play.

This is the filter you need.
liz
5.0 out of 5 stars does the job!!
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2024
was looking for a filter that wasn’t going to mess up after a month and looks like i found one! the quality is great and was a good value for the products
Grayson & Meagan
3.0 out of 5 stars I think mine arrived partially broken but it seems to do its job for now
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2024
I think the one I got might be partially broken? The bottom half looks like it should be all tightly clipped to the top, but it's not. I dont have another filter so I don't want to take this one apart and return it since it seems like it's not necessarily a usage issue but maybe a visual one or longevity of the item.

Lowering and increasing the flow works well though and it's nice that there are filter type extensions.

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