Aquarium Filter Guide: Types, Tips, and How Does It Work?
A healthy aquarium starts with clean, stable water, which is where the aquarium filter comes in handy, alongside a regular aquarium maintenance routine. Whether you are handling a small aquarium or any other marine life tank, you will need to ensure you get the best filter for your tank.
Understanding the different types and functions of various filters for your aquatic tank matters. This guide outlines the functions and types of aquarium filters and provides helpful tips on maintaining your aquarium.
How Does An Aquarium Filter Work?
An aquarium filter works by circulating water through filters to clean the water. There are wastes, toxins, and impurities in fish, which pollute water if not controlled. Therefore, there is a need to have proper filters in the aquarium. This can be done through three major processes:
- The mechanical filter holds solid particles like food and waste.
- Biological filtration supports beneficial bacteria, which remove harmful compounds like ammonia and nitrites as part of the nitrogen cycle, changing them into safer compounds called nitrates.
- Chemical filtration involves the elimination of dissolved impurities, odours, or discolouration through activated carbon.
The majority of fish tank filters utilise two or all of these techniques to keep water safe and clear.
Types of Aquarium Filters
To be able to select the right filter for your tank, you must get to know some of the main types of filters used.
Hang-On-Back (HOB) Filters
This is one of the most popular choices when beginning. They hang on the back of the tank and are very easy to install and efficient in terms of mechanical and biological filtration. HOB filters can be used with small- to medium-sized tanks and are very easy to maintain.
Internal Filters
Internal filters are typically contained inside an aquarium. They are often employed in smaller tanks, particularly during quarantine tanks. They are usually economical, accessible, and compact. However, they might be ineffective for larger tanks.
Canister Filters
Canister filters are powerful external units and are best utilised for large aquariums. They provide excellent mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration and can contain more media. They demand a little more setup and maintenance; however, they are very efficient and quiet.
Sponge Filters
Sponge filters use biological and gentle mechanical filtration. They can be useful in a breeding tank, a shrimp tank, and a tank with sensitive fish. They don’t produce strong water currents.
Undergravel Filters
These filters pull water through the gravel substrate in order to promote biological filtration. While they are less common today, they can still be effective when combined with other filtration systems.
Choosing the Right Fish Tank Filter
In addition, here is the key to selecting a fish tank filter:
- Tank size: Filters are rated by aquarium volume. Always opt for a filter designed for your tank size or slightly larger.
- Fish type: Some fish prefer still or quiet water, while other species prefer stronger currents.
- Stocking level: Heavily stocked tanks require more powerful filtration.
- Maintenance effort: Some aquarium filters require more frequent cleaning than others.
It means that matching the filter to the needs of your aquarium ensures there will be much more stable water conditions, and therefore much healthier fish.
How to Keep Your Aquarium Filter Functional
Not even the best aquarium filter will do well without proper care. Follow the following tips to keep it up and running efficiently:
- Clean regularly: Wash filter media in the tank water, not tap water, so as not to kill the beneficial bacteria.
- Avoid over-cleaning: Never change all filter media at the same time; this can cause upsets in biological filtration.
- Monitor the flow rate. The difference in water flow usually indicates clogged media.
- Replace media when necessary: Chemical media, such as carbon, need to be replaced periodically.
Regular cleaning will extend the lifespan of and optimise the functioning of your fish tank filter.
Conclusion
Understanding the various ways in which the aquarium filter works will greatly help you choose the best one for your equipment. To further help aquarists who want more information about this topic, there are resources such as CU Aquatics, where information may be obtained on optimising your aquarium filter.
For more on keeping your aquarium healthy, see our guide on how to set up a tropical fish tank and our guide to using tap water in a fish tank.