![]() Unless you are using the Walstad method to keep your aquarium water clean, then a filter is seen as an essential item.įilters provide aquariums with three different forms of filtration mechanical, where dirt and debris from the water column are sucked into the filter to keep the water clean, biological, where filter media and sponges are used to grow nitrifying bacteria, and chemical, such as activated carbon. Filters are an important aspect of creating the perfect aquarium ecosystem.įish and invertebrates (and some plant species) greatly benefit from filters to thrive in their environment. This is not the ideal environment for plants and aquatic inhabitants because there is no form of filtration to keep the water clean, provide a place for beneficial bacteria to grow, and provide aeration. Leaving a tank full of water to sit all day without movement will cause a stagnant environment. Most hang-on back filters will have a long tube (the intake) that will be beneath the waterline, and the dirty tank water will be filtrated through the filter media cartridges towards the outtake which generally looks like a mini waterfall. Hang-on back filters may be bulky and hang over the side of the aquarium, but they are usually great at providing 3-stage filtration. With most internal filters, you will need to replace the cartridge containing the media and any filter wool so that the filter does not become clogged, which can cause problems to a balanced aquarium environment.Īs the name suggests, internal filters can be placed underneath the water and will usually contain suction cups so that you can stick them to the glass in the desired area. ![]() These types of filters have an intake and an outtake section, where water is sucked in and then replenished into the tank through the output which can either be a stream of water, a waterfall system, or a trickle system. This is where most of the filtration will take place. ![]() Internal filters can either have a large sponge in them or a place for filter media. Internal filters are easy to install, and you will rarely have to buy separate items such as air pumps to run one. With canister filters, you will have to purchase the filter media separately and change it once a month to avoid the filter getting clogged. They remove the water from the fish tank through an intake tube, valve, or sieve which is then run through filter media in a pressurized canister and the clean water is pumped back into the aquarium. It’s common for filters to include a sponge section on a filter for mechanical and biological filtration, while also providing a place for filter media (such as activated carbon) to be placed in cartridges.Ĭanister filters are usually slightly more expensive, but they are efficient at what they do. Sponge filters themselves may be cheap, but you will need to pay separately for the tubing and air pump. Once you turn the air pump on, air will get blown through the tubing and into the sponge filter for it to work. The installation process is simple you’ll need an air pump and airline tubing to connect it to the sponge filter. Sponge filters double as an aeration system too because the bubbles that come out from the top increase the dissolved oxygen levels in the water. These filters provide mechanical and biological filtration by trapping dirt and debris from the water column into the sponge, and in return blowing clean water through the top. This is the most popular and simple form of filter to use. These are the main types of filters you will come across: ![]() With so many different filters available on the market, it can be difficult to find the right type of filter for your aquarium. Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Aquarium Filter What are the different types of filters?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |