The cleanliness of your fish tank water is constantly being compromised due to various events that happen in this closed environment. Examples of such events are pollution from fish waste and uneaten fish food, detritus from decomposing dead fish and plants, and changes in water composition such as shifts in pH levels and addition of medicines or new tap water.
If left untreated, water pollution will build up and toxic substances will also abound, causing fish illnesses and deaths. To ensure that clean water is circulating inside the tank at all times, fish tank filters should be a part of your fish tank setup.
Types of filters
The type of filter you will need will basically be dictated by the size of your tank. Fish tank filters perform either mechanical, chemical, or biological filtration. Some types combine two or all filtration methods.
For small- to medium-sized tanks, you may use hang-on filters, box or corner filters, internal power filters, diatom filters, and sponge filters. Hang-on filters are named as such since they are made to hang outside of your tank. They provide all types of filtration. Box or corner filters are placed in the corner of your tank, providing mechanical and chemical filtration. Internal power filters are normally used inside of freshwater tanks with low water levels. If you want to have fish tank filters that will give the best mechanical filtration available, the diatomaceous earth inside the diatom filters will do the job. Meanwhile, sponge filters will give you good mechanical and biological filtration at the lowest cost.
The filters mentioned above are both inexpensive, simple to set up, and easy to clean and maintain. They are ideal for beginners who wish to start with small tanks and small fish population. These filters can also be used in larger tanks but only as backup or secondary filters, or else they will get clogged up easily.
If you are looking for more powerful fish tank filters, you may want to consider buying canister filters, undergravel filters, wet/dry filters, and fluidized bed filters. The first three types can provide a complete three-step filtration system to your fish tank. While fluidized bed filters do not contain necessary mechanism for mechanical filtration, their biological and chemical filtration capabilities are good for tanks with live plants and heavy bio-loads.
While powerful and mostly complete, the above-mentioned filters also come with some disadvantages. Maintenance issues, such as periodic cleaning and replacement of parts, are the most common concerns with these types of filters. In the case of wet/dry filters, additional plumbing is one of the requirements.
Most important filter accessories
Fish tank filters have parts and accessories that you have to change from time to time. The most commonly used are filter bags, filter cartridges, and filter media. Examples of filter media are ceramic rings, sponge or foam inserts, filter gravel, foam blocks, and filter pads.
Clint Johnson is a pet store owner and an aquarium expert who likes to help others succeed in raising their fish as well. He is a featured member and guest speaker at many aquarium groups, as well as having a few very large tanks of his own. To find out more about and , please visit marinedepot.com.