Aquarium filters are a vital piece of equipment if you are to maintain a healthy and happy environment for your aquatic friends.
Ideally any filter you are thinking of purchasing will be capable of circulating the entire volume of the tank three to four times in a single hour.
When buying filters however it is important to make the following considerations: Firstly look at whether you want to have an internal or external.
External filters are typically the more powerful option and as such are better for larger tanks.
The downsides of external filters are that they are so powerful that they can create dangerous currents for weaker fish, although they are easier to clean.
Internal aquarium filters are ideal for smaller tanks and in many cases come packaged with new fish tanks.
Filtration Methods The method of filtration is another important aspect of aquarium filters.
Essentially there are four main types of filtration which include biological, sponge, mechanical and chemical.
• The biological method involves the use of micro organisms that feed on the waste products produced by the fish such as ammonia.
• Sponges typically sit in front of a mechanical pump and ensure that items are removed from the water.
They are highly popular for small fish because they cannot be sucked into the pump.
• Mechanical filters use gravel and other media to remove waste particles from the water and draw the water through a pump.
• Chemical methods include putting additives into the water which work to enhance existing filtration methods.
One such chemical is carbon.
Types of Filter • Box filters are a typically placed in the corner of a tank.
Normally they are relatively small, made from plastic and contain carbon and sponge to filter the water after drawing through an air pump.
• Under gravel filters are highly effective as they combat the debris at the bottom of the tank.
As the name suggests they sit underneath the gravel and as such need a fair amount of power to succeed.
• Canister filters are designed for larger tanks and are located externally with their own pump.
These draw water from the tank, pass it through a range of different media and then feed the clean water back into the tank.
• Sump filters are reserved for the largest tanks.
Essentially a second tank completely a sump will move water between the two tanks, passing it through various compartments to maximise filtration.
Ideally any filter you are thinking of purchasing will be capable of circulating the entire volume of the tank three to four times in a single hour.
When buying filters however it is important to make the following considerations: Firstly look at whether you want to have an internal or external.
External filters are typically the more powerful option and as such are better for larger tanks.
The downsides of external filters are that they are so powerful that they can create dangerous currents for weaker fish, although they are easier to clean.
Internal aquarium filters are ideal for smaller tanks and in many cases come packaged with new fish tanks.
Filtration Methods The method of filtration is another important aspect of aquarium filters.
Essentially there are four main types of filtration which include biological, sponge, mechanical and chemical.
• The biological method involves the use of micro organisms that feed on the waste products produced by the fish such as ammonia.
• Sponges typically sit in front of a mechanical pump and ensure that items are removed from the water.
They are highly popular for small fish because they cannot be sucked into the pump.
• Mechanical filters use gravel and other media to remove waste particles from the water and draw the water through a pump.
• Chemical methods include putting additives into the water which work to enhance existing filtration methods.
One such chemical is carbon.
Types of Filter • Box filters are a typically placed in the corner of a tank.
Normally they are relatively small, made from plastic and contain carbon and sponge to filter the water after drawing through an air pump.
• Under gravel filters are highly effective as they combat the debris at the bottom of the tank.
As the name suggests they sit underneath the gravel and as such need a fair amount of power to succeed.
• Canister filters are designed for larger tanks and are located externally with their own pump.
These draw water from the tank, pass it through a range of different media and then feed the clean water back into the tank.
• Sump filters are reserved for the largest tanks.
Essentially a second tank completely a sump will move water between the two tanks, passing it through various compartments to maximise filtration.
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