Top Filter Aquarium: How a Filter Atas Works, Setup & Media Guide for Malaysia
A top filter aquarium setup (filter atas) is a long tray that sits on top of the tank. A submersible pump inside the tank pushes water up into the tray, the water trickles down through layers of filter media, and it falls back into the tank through holes in the bottom. It's Malaysia's classic filter for goldfish, arowana and big community tanks because it's cheap, easy to clean, holds a lot of media and adds oxygen as the water drips back. The downsides are some noise, splashing and evaporation, plus less room for lights. Pick a tray that matches your tank length in kaki and a pump of about 4–6 times your tank volume per hour.
How a Top Filter Aquarium System Works
- Pump sits in the tank, usually in a back corner, and pushes water up a pipe.
- Spray pipe or inlet spreads the water across the top layer of the tray.
- Media layers (sponge, wool, ceramic rings or bio balls) trap dirt and grow good bacteria.
- Outlet holes in the bottom of the tray let water drip or flow back into the tank.
Because the pump is in the tank, a power cut doesn't cause flooding: the tray simply drains back into the tank. When power returns, the pump restarts on its own.
Why Malaysians like the filter atas
- Large media volume for messy fish like goldfish and arowana
- Easy access for cleaning: lift the lid and rinse the top sponge
- Oxygenation as water trickles through air, useful in warm tanks
- Low cost compared with canisters of the same capacity
- Modular: many trays stack or have multiple chambers
Top Filter Sizes per Kaki
Top filter trays are usually sold to match the tank length.
| Tank size | Typical water volume | Tray length | Pump flow (approx.) | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 kaki | ~28 L | 40–45 cm | 150–300 L/h | Small goldfish or community tanks |
| 2 kaki | ~55 L | 50–60 cm | 300–500 L/h | Goldfish pair, guppies, tetras |
| 3 kaki | ~155 L | 80–90 cm | 800–1,200 L/h | Goldfish group, angelfish, gourami |
| 4 kaki | ~230 L | 100–120 cm | 1,200–1,800 L/h | Arowana juveniles, large goldfish |
| 5–6 kaki | 350–550 L | Double tray or sump preferred | 2,000+ L/h | Adult arowana, big fish |
The pump has to push water up to the tray, so the real flow is lower than the label's maximum. Check the pump's flow at the height of your tray (the "head"). More in our aquarium water pump guide.
For tank volumes, see the aquarium tank size guide. You can compare trays and sets under Top Filters.
Top Filter Setup: Step by Step
- Place the tray across the top of the tank, on the frame or bracing. Leave the front open for feeding and lighting.
- Fit the pump in a back corner. Attach the pipe so it reaches the tray inlet without kinks.
- Add the media in layers (see below).
- Fill the tank, treat the water with anti klorin, then switch on.
- Check flow: water should spread over the whole top layer and drain without overflowing the tray.
- Adjust the pump valve if the tray fills too fast.
- Cycle the tank before adding many fish. See our guide on how to cycle an aquarium.
Top Filter Media Layering
Water enters at the top and drains down, so mechanical media goes at the top and biological media underneath.
| Layer (top to bottom) | Media | Job |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Top | Coarse sponge or span penapis | Catches big debris; rinse weekly |
| 2. | Filter wool / fine floss | Polishes water; replace when brown and clogged |
| 3. | Ceramic rings, bio balls or bio blocks | Home for nitrifying bacteria |
| 4. Bottom (optional) | Activated carbon or extra bio media | Removes odour or medication; carbon only when needed |
Tips:
- Keep the top sponge coarse so it doesn't clog in a day.
- In multi-chamber trays, fill the later chambers with bio media.
- Don't pack wool too tight, or water overflows the tray instead of passing through.
Our filter media order guide explains each media type in detail. Replacement sponges, wool and rings are under Filter Accessories.
Fixing Common Top Filter Problems
Noise and dripping sounds
- Lower the drop height: raise the water level so it's closer to the tray outlet.
- Add a sponge under the outlet holes to break the fall.
- Use an outlet pipe or spout that sends water under the surface or down the glass.
- Check the pump: rattling usually means a dirty impeller or the pump touching the glass. Put it on a rubber pad.
Splashing and water on the cabinet
- Check that the tray sits level.
- Clear blocked outlet holes.
- Reduce the pump flow if the tray overflows.
- Fit the tray lid properly.
Water overflowing the tray
This nearly always means the media is clogged. Rinse the top sponge and wool in tank water. If it happens often, use coarser top media.
High evaporation
Trickle filters increase evaporation, especially in hot weather. Top up with treated water regularly. See why aquarium water drops.
Fish getting sucked into the pump
Fit a sponge prefilter over the pump intake, especially with fry, shrimp or small fish.
Cleaning a Top Filter
- Weekly: rinse the top sponge in a bucket of tank water.
- Every 2–4 weeks: replace or rinse filter wool.
- Every 1–3 months: rinse bio media gently in tank water. Never scrub it clean, and never use tap water.
- Every few months: open the pump and clean the impeller.
Never clean all media at once, or you'll lose the bacteria colony.
Top Filter vs Other Filters
| Filter | Best for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top filter (filter atas) | Goldfish, arowana, big tanks | Cheap, big media, easy cleaning, oxygen | Noise, takes lid space, evaporation |
| Hang-on (filter gantung) | 1–2 kaki tanks | Simple, compact | Small media capacity |
| Canister (external) | Planted and display tanks | Quiet, hidden, strong | Higher cost, harder to clean |
| Sponge filter | Fry, bettas, shrimp | Gentle, cheap | Low capacity, looks basic |
See our top filter vs canister filter comparison for a deeper look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Top filter sesuai untuk akuarium saiz berapa?
Top filter atau filter atas sesuai untuk akuarium 2 kaki hingga 4 kaki, terutamanya untuk ikan emas, ikan arowana dan ikan yang kuat makan. Pilih saiz tray yang sama dengan panjang akuarium dan pam yang kuat sekitar 4–6 kali isipadu air sejam.
Macam mana nak kurangkan bunyi bising top filter?
Naikkan paras air supaya air tidak jatuh terlalu tinggi, letak span di bawah lubang keluar air, dan pastikan pam tidak berlaga dengan kaca. Kalau masih bising, bersihkan kipas (impeller) dalam pam.
What media should I put in a top filter?
Coarse sponge at the top, filter wool below it, then ceramic rings or bio balls. Add activated carbon only when you need to remove odour or medicine.
Is a top filter good for a planted tank?
It's not ideal. The trickle releases CO2, and the tray blocks light space. A canister or hang-on filter usually suits planted tanks better.
What pump do I need for a top filter on a 3 kaki tank?
Something giving roughly 800–1,200 L/h at the height of the tray. Check the pump's flow at head height, not just the maximum figure.
Ready to upgrade? Browse top filters, filter accessories and media and aquarium water pumps from sellers across Malaysia on FishyHub. Check each listing for tray length and pump rating, and ask the seller if you're unsure what fits your tank.