AQUASMITH Aquarium Products: Filters, Air Pumps and Kits Compared

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AQUASMITH sells several aquarium products in this set: a hang-on-back filter, two air pumps, a cooling fan and two 2-gallon kits, with two kit variants left out of the cards. If you searched for aquasmith aquarium gear, the short answer is that the filter and the air pumps carry the clearest numbers, the 2-gallon kits have the most conflicting specifications, and the cooling fan is the least direct fit for a betta tank on its listing alone.

Quick answer

• The hang-on-back filter’s 79 GPH works out to 15.8 times an hour on a 5-gallon tank and 5.27 times an hour on 15 gallons, so tank size changes how often the water passes through it.
• The UF/IFAS betta guide says “Bettas prefer calm water,” which makes the filter’s adjustable flow the control to use first.
• The 1.5 W air pump’s title says 20 to 40 gallons, but its bullets say 2 to 80 gallons. This article follows the bullets and flags the gap.
• The two 2-gallon kits disagree about what is in the box, so check the listed contents before you assume a light or a pump is included.

What AQUASMITH lists in this set

The research file holds eight AQUASMITH entries. Six become cards below. The other two are 2-gallon kits whose listings repeat most of a card’s bullets and differ in color, model number or contents, so they appear in the table as variants. The table shows each item’s listed numbers and the places where the listing is silent or disagrees with itself.

Item	Listed number	Where the listing disagrees or is silent
Hang-on-back filter, 5 to 15 gallons	79 GPH and 5 to 15 gallons (title only); flow adjustable (bullets)	Gallon range appears only in the title
Air pump, 1.5 W	1.8 liters per minute (specifications); 16, 29, 57 and 80 GPH models (bullets)	Title says 20 to 40 gallons; bullets say 2 to 80 gallons
Air pump, 2 W	0.5 gpm (specifications); 30 GPH and 2 to 40 gallons (bullets)	Highlight says stainless steel outlet; material field says ABS
2-gallon kit, black, with air pump, filter and light	2 gallons; 7.21 pounds (specifications); 7.5 lb (bullets)	Bullets and specifications give different weights
2-gallon kit, white, Mini-FT (card)	2 gallons; 180 L/H stated flow (bullets); 3.49 kg (specifications)	Title says silent pump; specifications list only a filter
Aquarium cooling fan	Cooling of 3 to 7 °F (title and bullets); 40 gallons (specifications)	Specifications give one volume and no range; clamp 0.2 to 0.95 inch (bullets)
Variant, 2-gallon kit, white, 6 carbon pads	7.5 lb (bullets); 6.59 pounds (specifications)	Bullets and specifications give different weights
Variant, 2-gallon kit, black, Mini-FT	2 gallons (specifications)	Title says filter and light; specifications list only a filter

Each row is a listing claim unless the text says otherwise. The sections below work through the flow arithmetic, the air pumps, the kits and the fan.

Flow and turnover: the hang-on-back filter

The hang-on-back filter has 79 GPH and a 5 to 15 gallon range in its title, and the specifications repeat those figures. Its bullets add that the flow rate and the intake pipe length are fully adjustable, and that the unit has three outlet modes. The flow number therefore comes from the title, and the adjustment details come from the bullets.

Turnover is the rated flow divided by the tank volume. It is a rough count, not a promise about the tank: 79 divided by 5 = 15.8 times an hour on a 5-gallon tank, and 79 divided by 15 = 5.27 times an hour on a 15-gallon tank. The listing does not say how the 79 GPH was measured, so both results are rated figures.

That range matters for a betta. The UF/IFAS betta guide says, “Bettas prefer calm water as shown by research using flow as a stressor, so heavy filtration may actually be harmful to a betta’s health and welfare.” The guide gives no turnover number, so the 15.8 result cannot be judged against a threshold. What the guide does support is a preference for the calmer end of the flow range. This listing offers that control through its adjustable flow and three outlet modes, so set the outlet and the flow to the calmest combination your tank allows, and watch how the water moves over the first weeks.

The bullets describe a “bottom-mounted silent motor” and say that bottom placement is “stated to help against dry running and power-outage restart.” Those are the maker’s statements. The pages we opened do not cover them, and the listing gives no decibel figure for this unit. For a low-flow option beyond this brand, see best low flow filter for betta.

Air pumps: two models and two flow figures

The two AQUASMITH air pumps show how a title can differ from the bullets. Each pump’s specifications give an airflow figure that can be turned into gallons per hour, and the result can then be compared with the bullets.

The 1.5 W pump’s specifications give 1.8 liters per minute. 1.8 times 60 = 108 liters per hour, and 108 divided by 3.785 = 28.5 gallons per hour. The bullets list 16, 29, 57 and 80 GPH models, and the 29 GPH figure sits close to the calculated 28.5. The bullets also mention a “knob-controlled airflow adjustment,” so the output can be turned down.

The title says this pump suits a 20 to 40 gallon tank. The bullets say it “adapts to 2-80 gallon aquariums.” This article uses the bullets’ range and flags the title’s narrower one. The listing does not say which range the 80 GPH model is meant for.

The 2 W pump’s specifications give 0.5 gpm. 0.5 times 60 = 30 gallons per hour, which matches the bullets’ 30 GPH. The bullets give an air pressure of 0.018 MPa, which is 18 kilopascals and the same figure as the item highlight’s 18Kpa. The bullets say the pump fits tanks from 2 to 40 gallons and comes with a stone and airline tubing.

The 2 W item highlight says “Stainless Steel Single Outlet,” while its material field says “Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene.” Both cannot describe the outlet. This article reports the material field and flags the highlight.

Both pumps are corded electric, per their specifications, and the listing gives no cord length. The CPSC line on electrical products in water applies if a pump falls in: “If an electrical product falls into the water, unplug it before touching it.” The bullets say the 2 W pump runs “at just 25dB” and the 1.5 W pump runs below 30 dB. The listing gives no method for either figure. For a noise-focused comparison across other pumps, see best most silent air pump for aquarium.

The 2-gallon kits: what is in the box

Two kits are cards and two are variants. Their titles, bullets and specifications disagree in several places, so this section reads each field separately.

The black kit (card) has specifications that list “Air Pump, Filter, Light” as included components. Its bullets mention a built-in LED light, three carbon filter pads, a bio-plate, a piece of 8D filter cotton and an adapter. The first bullet says a “completed self-sustaining ecosystem will be ready in just 5 minutes.” The UF/IFAS ammonia guide says, “A new biofilter requires six to eight weeks to build up sufficient bacteria to effectively reduce ammonia and nitrite levels.” The five-minute claim is the maker’s wording, and the guide does not support it.

The black kit’s bullets say 7.5lb, and its specifications say 7.21 pounds. The gap is 7.5 minus 7.21 = 0.29 pound.

The white kit (card) has specifications that list only a filter as the included component, although its title says “Silent Pump, 3-Stage Filtration.” Its bullets describe bottom and rear filtration, a stated flow of 180 L/H, tool-free filter access and a “Child-friendly 12V low-voltage system.” The specifications give 3.49 kg for the item and 7.7 pounds for the package. 3.49 times 2.2046 = 7.69 pounds, which matches the 7.7-pound package figure.

The stated 180 L/H is 180 divided by 3.785 = 47.6 gallons per hour. On a 2-gallon tank that works out to 47.6 divided by 2 = 23.8 times an hour. The UF/IFAS betta guide gives no number for what counts as heavy, so 23.8 is a rated calculation and not a verdict. The adjustable flow is the control the listing offers.

Both kit listings say the tank has expandable slots for heaters or air pumps. The UF/IFAS betta guide says “bettas thrive in warmer water and do not do well in cold water,” which makes a heater slot worth knowing about. The listing names no heater and gives no temperature setting, so the slot is an option and not part of the kit. For a heater to compare with the slot, see best aquarium heater for betta fish.

The two variants are in the table and not in the cards. The white kit with six carbon pads lists 7.5 lb in its bullets and 6.59 pounds in its specifications, a gap of 7.5 minus 6.59 = 0.91 pound. The black Mini-FT variant has a title that says “with Filter & Light,” but its specifications list only a filter.

Both kits contain electrical parts, a light in the black kit and an adapter. The CPSC line applies to the light and any pump: unplug it before touching it if it falls into the water. For a starter kit that already exists as a comparison, see top fin all in one betta aquarium starter kit.

The cooling fan: a poor fit for a betta tank on its own listing

The aquarium fan is the only item here whose listing names axolotl and amphibian tanks. Its bullets say it can “quickly lower aquarium water temperature by 3-7°F,” uses 58 blades and runs “at up to 3600 RPM,” and that its brushless motor reduces noise to “just 35 dB.” It has three speeds, labelled Gentle, Standard and Strong Wind. Its clamp fits frames from 0.2 to 0.95 inch, and the package includes a power adapter and a plug.

Converting the cooling claim to Celsius degrees: 3 divided by 1.8 = 1.67, and 7 divided by 1.8 = 3.89. The listed 3 to 7 degrees Fahrenheit is therefore about 1.7 to 3.9 Celsius degrees. The listing gives no starting temperature and no measurement method, so the range describes a claim and not an observed result.

The UF/IFAS betta guide says “bettas thrive in warmer water and do not do well in cold water.” The pages we opened give no upper temperature limit for betta, so this article does not say a betta needs cooling. Whether a fan suits a betta tank depends on a temperature the listing does not cover.

The specifications give 40 gallons as the tank volume, with no range. The bullets say the fan is suitable for freshwater, saltwater, coral reef, planted and axolotl or amphibian tanks. That list is broad, so the sizing check falls to the buyer. The fan’s power adapter is part of the box. If the fan or its adapter falls into the water, the CPSC rule applies: unplug it before touching it.

Mistakes to avoid

• Reading 79 GPH as a measured rate. The title gives it, and the listing gives no method.
• Choosing the 1.5 W pump on the title’s 20 to 40 gallon range alone. The bullets say 2 to 80 gallons, and the listing does not say which applies.
• Assuming a kit includes a light because its title says so. One specification list shows only a filter.
• Planning around the five-minute claim. The ammonia guide puts a new biofilter at six to eight weeks.
• Running the cooling fan on a betta tank because of its cooling claim. The pages we opened give no betta upper limit.

How we chose

We started from the eight AQUASMITH entries in the research pool and kept six as cards. The two kits left out as cards are variants of the kits that are cards: they share most of their bullets and differ in color, model number or contents. They appear in the table so the differences stay visible.

Four rules decided what stays:

1. The item is an aquarium product by its own listing: a filter, pump, kit or fan.
2. Its listing names an aquarium use, not a general purpose.
3. Where the title and the bullets disagree, the text uses the bullets and says so. Where the bullets are silent, the text uses the specifications.
4. No money figure, star rating, review count or badge appears, because the research file stores none.

The cards follow the research file’s order. That order is not a ranking, and no product is named the best overall.

What we could not verify

• Flow in a running tank. Every GPH and L/H figure is a rated number, and the listings do not say how they were measured.
• Noise for the hang-on-back filter. The title says ultra-quiet and the bullets say silent, with no decibel figure for that unit.
• The 25 dB and under-30 dB noise figures. The listing gives no method for either.
• The five-minute ecosystem claim. The ammonia guide gives six to eight weeks for a new biofilter, and the listing does not reconcile the two.
• The 12V low-voltage claim. No specification field names 12 volts for any kit.
• Which pump ships with each kit. The black kit’s specifications list an air pump, and the white kit’s specifications list only a filter.
• The cooling figure for any real tank. The listing gives no starting temperature and no method.
• Any AQUASMITH product in a UF/IFAS page. None of the pages we opened names an AQUASMITH product.
• The CPSC page is written for pools and spas, and the UF/IFAS marine guide is written for saltwater tanks. Both are used here for general rules only.

FAQ

Is 79 GPH too much for a betta tank?

The UF/IFAS betta guide says heavy filtration may be harmful to a betta, and it gives no turnover number. On the listed range, the filter’s rated flow works out to 15.8 times an hour on 5 gallons and 5.27 times an hour on 15 gallons. Use the adjustable flow to choose the calmest setting the listing allows.

Which AQUASMITH air pump fits a 20-gallon tank?

Both pumps list 20 gallons inside their ranges: the 1.5 W title says 20 to 40 gallons, and the 2 W listing says 2 to 40 gallons. The 1.5 W bullets give 2 to 80 gallons, so the listings do not agree on that pump’s range. Both pumps need an airline and a stone. The 2 W pack includes a stone and airline tubing, and the 1.5 W kit includes nano air stones, check valves and silicone tubing, per the bullets.

Does the 2-gallon kit include a light?

The black kit’s specifications list “Air Pump, Filter, Light,” and its bullets describe a built-in LED light. The white kit’s specifications list only a filter, although its title says “Silent Pump.” The black Mini-FT variant’s title says “with Filter & Light,” but its specifications list only a filter. Check the box list on the listing before you assume either way.

Can I use the cooling fan on a betta tank?

The pages we opened do not give an upper temperature limit for a betta, so this article does not say a betta needs cooling. The fan’s listing describes axolotl and amphibian tanks and a cooling range of 3 to 7 degrees Fahrenheit, with no starting temperature. Read the tank’s temperature before you consider a fan.

Does the five-minute setup claim mean the tank is ready in five minutes?

No, not as far as the pages we opened go. The black kit’s first bullet says a self-sustaining ecosystem is “ready in just 5 minutes.” The UF/IFAS ammonia guide says a new biofilter requires six to eight weeks to build up sufficient bacteria, so plan for the longer period.

Bottom line

Check the tank volume against the listed range, use the bullets where the title disagrees, and assume nothing about kit contents until the box list matches your plan.

Sources

• UF/IFAS, Evolution, Culture, and Care for Betta splendens (FA212): https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FA212 (opened 2026-10-20)
• UF/IFAS, Ammonia in Aquatic Systems (FA031): https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FA031 (opened 2026-10-20)
• UF/IFAS, 4-H Marine Aquarium Project Book (4H433): https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/4H433 (opened 2026-10-20)
• U.S. CPSC, Ways to Protect Yourself and Others From Shock or Electrocution (PDF): https://cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/WaysToProtectYourselfAndOthersFromShockOrElectrocutionuUpdated07312019.pdf (opened 2026-10-20)