BioMaster 2 Thermo 250 Canister Filter for Aquariums – External Aquarium Filter with Built-in Heater – EasyClean Pre-Filter, Quiet Operation – Freshwater & Saltwater, Up to 70 Gallons

I picked up the OASE BioMaster 2 Thermo 250 Canister Filter for my aquarium, and overall it’s been one of the best all-in-one filtration solutions I’ve used, especially for tanks where space and simplicity matter. Right away, the built-in heater integration stands out. Instead of running a separate heater with suction cups and extra cords, this unit heats and filters in one streamlined system. It keeps the temperature stable without hot spots, and the layout looks much cleaner than having multiple devices inside the tank. For anyone who cares about aesthetics and functionality, that combination alone is a huge win. In terms of filter performance, this unit moves water efficiently and handles biological, mechanical, and chemical filtration well. The flow rate is strong without being too aggressive for most community tanks, and the water always looks clear and healthy. I’ve noticed fewer maintenance intervals compared to simpler hang-on filters — the media inside has plenty of capacity and is easy to access when it’s time for a clean. Installation was fairly straightforward. The hoses and connections are solid, and the instruction layout made sense. Once set up, the unit runs quietly and reliably — it doesn’t dominate the room with noise. things to note: The initial price is higher than a standalone filter + heater combo, but in my opinion the integration and convenience justify it. Overall, this OASE BioMaster 2 Thermo 250 feels like a top-tier choice in canister filtration with the added bonus of heating built in. It simplified my setup, performs strongly, and keeps my aquarium water looking great with less fuss — definitely one of the best options I’ve used for mid-size tanks.

So far I am really liking liking the filter. Easy to setup - I watched a few videos on the YouTube to make sure I did everything correctly. Nice and quiet and seems very user-friendly for maintenance. Had to wait a few extra weeks for delivery, perhaps because of the tariff wars, not really sure why. Very happy with this purchase. The tank looks great!

Love the prefilter on this design. The dock for the in and outflow was a little sticky, but they called that out in the packaging and included a QR code on a video to help with it. The filter is easy to use and service and tightly made. The free bar outflow and inflow and sponge media were never in the cards for me, since I prefer glass lily pipes and other filter media, but it has everything needed to make it work out of the box.

This is a great filter. Clean the prefilter weekly & pack the rest with sponge you clean every 6 months. It hides the heater & keeps the tank crystal clear. Best canister in the market.

It is as advertised. Quiet. Easy to install. The design is simple with the built in heater. We've not had any leaks out of it so far. I'm very pleased with this filter and I will be buying another one for our second setup. 100% recommend.

Only a month in but happy so far. I have this on a 55 gallon and think this is the right level of filtration for this tank. At first I throttled the flow when all the media was brand new, but now I don’t have to. I appreciate its user friendly interface.

Filter is fine but if you add a heater to it like this one make sure it actually heats to the temp it’s supposed to. Can’t get it to go above 79 degrees and the discus fish I was going to get beds higher temp. Keep turning dial up over days and it’s at 85 and still won’t get above 77 to 79. Should see if I can take it back.

Outstanding little filter works quite well and the heater is perfect. I would definitely buy this again.