What kind of aquarium filter

Even though the aquarium may look clean and free of particulate matter, the filter will be holding large amounts of detritus tiny pieces of decomposing plant or animal material and other debris that is slowly decaying and contaminating the water with toxic breakdown products such as ammonia, nitrites, and ultimately nitrates.

These waste products, therefore, actually reduce the number of aquarium inhabitants that can be housed safely. Chemical filtration removes toxic or unwanted chemicals as the water passes through a chemical media or resin. There have been a number of advancements in the past years, giving us new products that are targeted at removing specific chemicals or excess nutrients from the water.

If used correctly, these medias can be incorporated into the filtration to both improve water quality, and reduce the amount of maintenance and water changes needed to sustain a healthy aquarium. However, it is important to carefully monitor the water chemistry and perform water changes as necessary.

In biological filtration, different types of bacteria convert the toxic chemical byproducts produced by the aquarium inhabitants into less toxic nutrients. This breakdown process by the bacteria is called the Nitrogen Cycle.

In the Nitrogen Cycle, the waste products of the fish, plants, and invertebrates, along with any dead organisms or uneaten food, are broken down by bacteria and fungi into ammonia. Ammonia is extremely toxic to all of the aquarium inhabitants, and is broken down into nitrites by an oxygen-loving bacteria known as Nitrosomonas.

Although nitrites are not as toxic as ammonia, even at low concentrations in the aquarium, they can still be harmful to fish and invertebrates. Again, another bacteria called Nitrobacter, which also utilizes oxygen, acts in a similar way as Nitrosomonas, and essentially changes nitrites into relatively harmless nitrates. Nitrates, at low to moderate levels, will not harm most fish or invertebrates, but can be the source of some unsightly algae problems if not controlled by both the chemical filtration and water changes.

For the Nitrogen Cycle to work properly, there must be an area for a sufficient number of these bacteria to grow, and their need for oxygen must be met. Biological filtration occurs to some degree in all filters and in areas of the aquarium where these bacteria are present such as the water, substrate, and decorations. The capacity of a biological filter is determined by the available surface area for bacterial growth and the oxygen content of the water passing over them.

Not all filters have the same capacity when it comes to biological filtration. Filters in which the biological media is exposed to the air are going to have the greatest capacity. There are many types of filters currently on the market that range in size, price, and their ability to perform the three essential types of filtration.

These filters include:. It is important to know what type of livestock you plan to keep before choosing a filter for your system. Some aquariums, such as a live planted freshwater aquarium, do not require a filter that is efficient biologically, but do require a filter that is efficient in both chemical and mechanical filtration.

On the other hand, an unplanted, heavily-stocked African Cichlid aquarium is going to require a filter, or combination of filters, that is efficient in all three types of filtration.

In the next section of this article, the different filters that are available, their ability to perform the three types of filtration, their price range, and the amount of time needed to maintain them will be explained. A table at the end of the article summarizes this information.

Internal filters come in many different styles, and are simply placed in the aquarium either on the substrate, or mounted to one of the sides with suction cups. They include corner box filters and sponge models. For most internal filters, an airline needs to be attached to the inlet of the filter, and is driven by an air pump located outside the aquarium. Air is pumped into the bottom of the filter, moves through the filter, and is then released through the top of the filter where it dissipates to the surface of the water.

The action of the air bubbles creates water movement through the filter which enables it to perform the filtration. The corner box filter is typically shaped to fit into the corner of the aquarium. It is simply a box with slots in the top and bottom which allow water to flow through it.

Placed on the gravel, the air is pumped into the bottom of the filter from a remote air pump. The air draws the water through the filter from the bottom and leaves the filter at the top. The corner box filter is designed to perform all three types of filtration, but the efficiency of all types are limited due to the lower oxygen content and the lower level of water flow. Layers of floss for mechanical filtration and activated carbon for chemical filtration are the typical medias used in this type of filter, although it can be customized with any type of mechanical or chemical materials.

Bacteria growing on the filter media provide the biological filtration. This can be accomplished by rinsing the media in the aquarium water that is removed during a routine water change, rather than in tap water. Only replacing half of that media at a time will preserve the bacteria needed for the biological filtration.

The sponge filter features a design in which a u-shaped tube is used to pull water through a sponge-like material that features a very large surface area. A separate air pump is needed to provide the air flow. The sponge material is capable of both mechanical and biological filtration. Mechanical filtration occurs as the sponge traps particulate matter suspended in the water that is passing through it. Biological filtration is provided by the beneficial bacteria living on the sponge.

Its mechanical and biological effectiveness is limited, due to the lower amount of oxygen and volume of water drawn through the filter. This type of filtration is very inexpensive and is easy to maintain. To remove the organic matter before it begins to deteriorate, every week the sponge filter should be rinsed in water removed from the aquarium.

Using aquarium water is important when cleaning these filters so you do not risk killing the beneficial bacteria that are responsible for the biological filtration. Both types of internal filters have limited use, only being effective in small aquariums with a small number of inhabitants. Typical uses for these filters are in breeding and hospital tanks. Because there are no moving parts in the aquarium when using this style of filter, small newly hatched or reared fry cannot be drawn into the filter, which results in lower mortality rates.

For the hospital tank, the sponge or floss material can be set into the main aquarium for a few days to become colonized with beneficial bacteria prior to being put to use in the hospital tank. At that time, the sick fish can be acclimated into the hospital tank for treatment without having to cycle the aquarium, avoiding additional stress on the ill fish.

Again, these filters are very inexpensive and are easy to maintain, but have limited applications. If you are saving space outside of the aquarium, you are sacrificing space inside.

This is quite possibly the best decision for filtering your aquarium. All of these systems are going to do a fantastic job filtering your aquarium water through all three stages. Most external canister filter models are going to allow you to customize your filtration.

There are many options for configuring your canisters filtration media to handle different mechanical, chemical, or biological filtration loads. It all just depends on the specific needs of your aquarium. Aside from the ability to fine-tune your filtration, external canisters simply do a better job of filtering the water in all three stages over any of the above-mentioned types of aquarium filter systems. It will run quietly, and you will have continuously crystal clear water and consistent water parameters.

Trickle box filter ad. This filter trickles the water down through bio-media usually bio balls for the best aeration and biological filtration. It is powered by a water pump. The pump draws the water from the tank to the filter box if placed above the tank, left picture or returns the filtered water from the filter box to the tank if placed below, usually in a sump, right picture.

They also provide a great place for housing macroalgae, live rock , and equipment that you want to hide from view. However, they tend to be fairly expensive, so are not used in freshwater aquariums much. When you have settled on what type of filtration will work best for your ideal setup, the detailed pages that I just mentioned include comparisons of several brands, models, and sizes for each type of filter; All in hopes of helping you make the best choice for your unique freshwater aquarium!

Besides choosing a filter type you want, you will need to know how to choose a suitable filter for your aquarium. This depends on the size of your tank and the species of fish it houses. The thumb rule is to choose a filter that turns over four times of your aquarium water in an hour. For example, a gallon aquarium will need a filter with a flow rate of around 80 gallons per hour GPH.

Having a filter that is much too powerful for the size of your aquarium is only negative in the sense that the output flow from the filter will be too strong.

This may cause stress and kill your fish, as well as destroy the beautiful aquascape that takes you a lot of time to fulfill. All aquariums are very different which means that the best aquarium filter systems for your fish tanks will unlikely be the same as the best means of filtration for my fish tanks.

Some fish love strong water flow while some like Bettas enjoy swimming slowly in a quiet environment. And your work is to provide the right environment for your aquatic pets. Getting the best quality filtration system for your aquarium can save you from a lot of future hardship.

Getting the cheapest filters can cost you more money in the long run. More frequent media changes, more frequent water changes , malfunctioning equipment, you upgrade down the road anyway…. The slim design of this filter is great for those who are looking to create a minimalist nano tank look. It takes up about half as much space in comparison to other filters with the same flow rating, giving your home aquarium a sleek, sophisticated look.

The most unique feature of this filter is that the motor is submerged in the water, minimizing loud motor noise and makes the filter self-priming. This comes in handy when doing weekly maintenance or in case of a power outage. Bio-Carb and Bio-Clear ad. This highly porous media is specifically designed to optimize your biological bacteria growth to ensure your aquarium stays healthy.

It also comes equipped with a pre-filter sponge, which fits the intake tube, to prevent sucking up any small fry or shrimp into the filter. The Aquaclear 20 power filter is a great option for those who are looking for a hang-on filter with a large filtration capacity and a high flow rate. With its multi-stage filtration, powerful motor, and quiet waterfall design, the Aquaclear 20 power filter has been top-rated for the past 50 years. Its powerful motor is designed to move 7 times the amount of water than other filters of the same size.

It also has an adjustable flow valve, allowing you to adjust the flow for your aquarium needs. Multi-stage filtration ad.

This filter is designed to increase the filtration contact time with its three filter cartridges; one Foam Pad mechanical , one Activated Carbon chemical , and one Biomax biological. It also comes equipped with a filter basket that prevents the water from bypassing the filters, allowing for maximized filtration. Aquaclear has developed an entire filter media product line including Zeo-Carb and Ammonia Remover, allowing for an easy swap of chemical filtration to directly affect the needs of your aquarium.

They are excellent for tanks with fry, as the sponge prevents young fry from being sucked through the pump. Sponges are good for a hospital isolation tank, as a sponge from an established aquarium quickly provides the tank with nitrifying bacteria. When the sponge filters are cleaned, it is important to do so with aquarium water, as tap water will kill the beneficial bacteria that is growing on the sponge. This is accomplished by allowing the aquarium water to trickle over a container of media, such as plastic balls, strands, or floss.

This exposure to air and water fosters large colonies of beneficial bacteria that break down wastes. These are especially popular for saltwater tanks, but are becoming increasingly popular in freshwater aquariums, as well.

Chemical filtration is provided by placing chemical media in the filter. The biggest drawback is the fact that they clog fairly easily. The use of a mechanical pre-filter eliminates or reduces that problem. The UGF under gravel filter is another aquarium filter that has been around for a long time. It utilizes a plate filter that is placed under the substrate, and an air pump that pulls the aquarium water down through the substrate, taking the particulate matter with it.

However, biological filtration is limited with this type of system, and chemical filtration is non-existent. The UGF is inexpensive, easy to set up, and it is relatively maintenance free once running.

On the downside, UGFs tend to clog and are not good choices for aquariums with live plants. Actively scan device characteristics for identification.

Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. There is some debate in the reef tank community about the usefulness of these filters. Primarily, the biggest filtration difference between a freshwater tank and a saltwater tank is the presence of live rocks and coral in the marine tank. These provide all the biological filtration necessary for most tanks.

It comes with all the gear you need to get up and running except the pump itself. There is a spray bar, return and siphon hoses, a polishing block, bio balls, and plenty of tubing.

If a large tank is your goal, then this may help you create a clean, fresh, beautiful tank for your fish. Our final piece of filtration equipment is another addition to a filter setup.

Protein skimmers are used extensively in reef tanks to remove unwanted organic waste from the water. They work by agitating the water and injecting many micro-bubbles into the water. Through a wonderfully complex process, waste tends to bind to these bubbles. The bubbles carry the waste back to the skimmer where it can be collected and disposed of.

They do work by creating foam and fracturing the water. Sounds neat, eh? Protein skimmers are more complex and powerful than their cousins, the Surface Skimmers. Protein skimmers are most useful when they are installed in a sump for a marine tank.

There, the most powerful protein skimmers can get to work cleaning the water. The advantage of a protein skimmer is the efficient way it cleans waste from water. These are probably essential equipment for advanced marine tanks with difficult coral.

The big disadvantage of a protein skimmer is its price. A good model, designed to go in a sump filter, could sell for several hundred dollars. Some have probably been missed off my list of fish tank filters.

Are you using some equipment I missed? Send me a message and let me know about it. Aquaria Passion. This entry is part 1 of 8 in the series Filter types. Water filtration. Water flow in aquarium. HOB Filter. Sponge filter. Internal filter. Canister filter. Check the price on Amazon. Sump filter. Under gravel filter. Coralife Super Protein Skimmer with Pump. Amazon Associates Program Disclaimer. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.