Fish Tank Filters

 About Fish Tank Filters

Fish Tank Filters are critical apparatus for both marine and freshwater aquariums. Fish Tank Filters are necessary to support life as aquariums are small, closed volumes of water compared to the natural environment of most fish.

When fish are kept in tanks they produce waste from respiration and excrement. Another source of waste that is present in the tank is uneaten foods or plants and dead bodies of the fishes. These waste products get collected in the tank and contaminate the water. When the rate of contamination increases then the removal of the contamination becomes critical. The most common method used to maintain a healthy aquarium is filtration.

Selecting the appropriate filter for your aquarium is very important as not just any aquarium filter will do. There are at least 150 different fish tank filters present in the market and all these filters are offered by the most trusted and top selling brands. However when considering all these filters one has to check out the fish tank filter that most suits your tank. There are two main types of fish tank filters; external and internal. Both these types of filters can be used in either fresh water or salt water aquariums. The various types of external filters that are present on the market are:-

Power Filters- This is the most common choice in most cases, particularly for tanks under 55 gallons. It is very easy to set up, easy to maintain and most importantly not expensive.

Bio Wheel Filters: - This is another type of filter which is very common on the market. It offers a complete 3 stage filtration system in one sturdy, easily installed and maintained filter. It is the best choice for freshwater and marine tanks up to 75 gallons.

Canister Filters: - These type of filters are used in freshwater or saltwater aquariums and are recommended for larger tanks i.e. 30-50 gallons upwards.

Internal Filters: - These filters are fully submersible filters that work inside one aquarium. It is useful for small aquariums with bio loads as it does not tend to have large media chambers. In the case of larger tanks they are useful as supplements to an external canister filter. It is also a great choice for the low water habitats like turtle tanks.

External filters are the best choice for any fish tank, if you can afford it. As all the filtering is done outside the tank, it keeps the filtered water separate from the unfiltered water until it is returned to the tank. A couple of long hoses connect the filter to the tank; one supplies the filter and the other returns the filtered water to the tank. This type of filter is the most effective but also the most expensive.

One can purchase any these types of filters at the local fish shop, but one may face harder time to find out the more expensive external type at a general pet store. The external fish tank will cost more up front but in the long run one will save on maintenance costs and fish costs as one will be providing the best habitat that they will live long and healthy lives.Different types of fish tank filters

Below are some of the different types of fish tank filters which are easily available on the market: -

• UGF or Under Gravel Filter – These filters have been used for several years by people with great results. Unfortunately, this kind of filter gets bad press by people who do not know the basic idea and the necessity of maintaining these filters. UGF filters usually consist of hard plates that sit at the surface of the fish tank. These plates are raised a bit from the surface in order to support the layer of gravel. You can find minute slots in the riser tubes and the hard plates. A water pump or air stone known as power head is being used to move the water up to the riser tubes. This water then flows through the gravel bed, up the riser tubes and under the hard filter plates. This water brings in oxygen and promotes development of bacteria. All these bacteria’s metabolize nitrate and ammonia in the fish tank. This results in a very efficient biological filter. Regrettably, the wastage is pulled off into the gravel layer and because of this the gravel layer gets clogged and results in poor quality of water. This is why it is important for you to change the water and clean the gravel regularly. This can be easily done with the help of gravel vac or a siphon hose that allows you to take-out the waste from the gravel surface while changing the water. The UGF filter is cheap and reliable provided you are keeping the gravel surface free of debris.

• Wet-Dry or Trickle Filters – These filters are usually placed underneath the stand of the fish tank. Water is then gravity fed to these filters where bacteria beds are supported. These bacteria’s consist of biowheel, biological and other bioballs media. The main point is that all these media’s must be removed out of the fish tank. In this case, water is enabled to trickle over the media and at the same time be exposed to the air. This results in extremely huge particles of bacteria developing which are capable of supporting extremely large sized fish loads. All the trickle filters usually have a pre-filter that serves for the mechanical filtration. In case you have decided to design your own filter then it is necessary that all the bio-media is left out of the water. Covered media normally defeats the intention of having trickle filters and besides that you can even try to use sponge filters.

• Sponge Filters – These filters are similar to the biological filters. Water is actually taken out by using a sponge and later pumped into the water column. Since, the water always flows through these sponges there are chances of bacteria developing, similar to the case with UGF filters. Sponge is an expensive product and is competent of supporting large loads in the fish tank provided the fish are small in size. Sponge usually tends to be covered with waste particles and usually required to be cleaned frequently. Cleaning sponge filters can take around half an hour. However, whenever you are changing the water in the fish tank on regular basis, you can even remove the sponge filter and try rinsing the dirty water from the sponge. This allows you to eliminate the waste debris settled on the sponge without harming the bed of bacteria. These sponge filters are excellent forms for fish tanks where the gentle water flow is necessary. These filters are also excellent when compared to biological filters that can be easily removed and replaced for immediate filtration.

• Box or Corner Filters – These filters are available in small setups and at an affordable price. However, these filters usually fail to support fish tanks. The specific design of these filters is smaller in size which is filled with filter floss and carbon. Both these units are placed inside the fish tank and are powered by a specific air pump. These units are designed for both chemical and mechanical filtration as they support a small quantity of bacteria until the carbon and floss are changed. One of the best ways to remove the carbon and floss is to replace them with gravel or bio-media. This may allow the growth of bacteria in limited quantity, competent of supporting small loads of fish. These filters also work perfectly for raising fry.

• Bio-Wheel Filters - These filters are generally manufactured by Penguin Ltd and combine biological filters with benefits of both chemical and mechanical filtration. These filters usually consist of a particular unit which hangs on the back of the fish tanks. Water is taken into this unit by using an impeller and later discharged into the fish tank. The bio-wheel is the last step included in the process of filtration. It is competent of supporting large loads of fish. These filters also include filter pads which are mechanical. This pad is the initial step of the filtration process. As the water flows through these pads, few large particles of debris are being removed which keeps the filter free of debris. These filter pads have to be changed or rinsed on a regular basis. Inside the pads you have the activated layers of carbon which removes the impurities like odor from the water. This literally keeps the fish tank from smelling fishy.

• Power Filters – These filters usually hang on the rear side of the fish tank. Water is usually pulled into these filters and later pushed via the filter pads that contain carbon. This results in chemical and mechanical filtration. However, this type of filter is not a better resource than biological filtration. However there are several other designs which have included a biological filtration pad within the unit and it therefore becomes a complete system for filtration. This includes units such as Millennium, Aqua Clear and Whisper. Besides these, Penguin models are said to be one of the best units for the purpose of biological filtration. Actually, power filters are generally meant to accent the present biological filtration like the under gravel or sponge filters.

• Fluidized Bed Filters – These filters are growing in popularity, which is rightly deserved. They consist of a specific cylindrical pipe which is entirely filled with sand. Water is initially taken out through the filters which results in massive growth of bacteria. They are also one of the most outstanding resources of biological filtration which contains a smaller unit. Fish tanks up to several thousands liters can be filtered by using these units. They even require a pre-filter in order to remove particulate matters. However, these pre-filters have to be cleaned frequently in order to allow the file to maintain its flowing rate of water. These are said to be one of the best units that can be used in combination with either the mechanical or power filter of higher flowing rate.

• Canister Filters - These filters are quite expensive compared to other filters however they are usually one of the best quality and most efficient filters. Water is usually taken out from the fish tank through the hose and later passed into a container which is tightly locked and rests outside of the fish tank. The water then passes through a number of compartments that enables you to organize the filtration media in the way you want. The water pump later pushes this water back into the fish tank. This filter is quite versatile and enables you to improve chemical, biological and mechanical filtration according to the requirements of your fish tank.

Purpose of Fish Tank FiltersThe main purpose of fish tank filters is to remove dangerous chemicals, excess food, decaying organic matter, and the waste products of fish from the fish tank. Fish constantly excrete waste while swimming around. If the waste is not removed at proper intervals, then the toxins from the fish will build up to high concentrations which may poison the fish. Therefore, it becomes necessary to regularly clean the fish tank of these waste materials.

Fish tank filters clean the fish tank by using chemical / biological / mechanical means. Chemical filters are in the form of crystals, balls, or sheets. The function of these filters is to get rid of heavy traces of metal from the water. The purpose of mechanical filters is to remove floating waste from the water. Biological filters are used as a breeding ground by bacteria. The first kind of bacteria helps break down very harmful ammonia produced by the fish into less poisonous nitrates. The second type of bacteria then breaks these nitrates into harmless materials.

The major purposes of fish tank filters can be summed up as follows:

• Aerates water in the aquarium by using air-stone. This draws the aquarium water up with the help of riser or by disturbing the surface as in power-heads.
• Regulates the temperature in the fish tank. Temperature regulation is very necessary, especially in the cold season when water gets extremely cold and fish present in the aquarium find it hard to breathe. This is done by drawing colder water from beneath and pushing it to the top of the aquarium tank. Whereas the heater which has been placed in the riser pipe, heats the cold water on its way up leading to a more even temperature.
• Managing the nitrogen cycle is very important for fish to survive for a longer period. Usually in an aquarium, fish are more densely stocked than those in a natural environment (ocean, rivers, etc). Therefore, fish in an aquarium are exposed to a higher risk of nitrates and ammonia. Moreover, in a natural environment these harmful nitrates are absorbed by plants which use them as fertilizers. This does also happen in an aquarium with real plants to some extent. However if the concentration of ammonia increases then it may ultimately lead to poisoning of the fish. With the use of biological filters this ammonia is controlled by converting them into a less harmful material.
• Filters are also used to remove solid waste from the fish tank which may be suspended in the water. If the solid waste is not removed from the water then it may be consumed by fish which might again poison them. Removing uneaten food from the fish tank is also necessary as this might lead to decomposition of food materials.

Today, fish tank filters are provided along with most aquariums. One must take care that the filters are maintained on a regular basis. If proper care is not taken then the filters might become ineffective and the purpose of installing a filter will be defeated. Depending on the situation different types of filters need to be used. It is highly recommended to use a proper mixture of the three types of filters for effective working of the fish tank and to provide your fish with longer lives.

Maintenance of Fish Tank Filters

Fish tank filters will function properly once installed as long as proper maintenance is carried out. Maintenance of fish tank filters involves cleaning the filter of waste materials or replacing the filter. Filters must not be cleaned immediately after cleaning the plants, rocks or other decorations within the tank. This is because the cleaning that has just been performed has disturbed the beneficial bacterial colonies (the bacteria which are produced by the filter is used to convert nitrates into less harmful materials) which were present on the rocks, water, etc. Therefore one must wait at least a week before going on to clean the filter. However, if the filter has been recently installed in the fish tank, then you must consider waiting for a few more days before performing the cleaning.

The period required before replacing the filter depends on the type of filter you have chosen. If the filter used contains ammonia absorbers, carbon or ion-exchange resins, then the replacement must be done every three weeks. This is because after a couple of weeks the absorbing feature of these filters becomes exhausted and the filter ceases to function. If the filter is a mechanical filter then you should gently rinse it to remove the waste rather than replacing it frequently. Experts argue against replacing the filter as it removes the beneficial bacteria and leads to an in increase in the concentration of ammonia waste which is very poisonous for the fish. Therefore, replacing the filter must only be done in circumstances where the filter has become very old or does not function properly even after regular maintenance.

While cleaning the filter, excessive care must be taken on the usage of cleaning chemicals. Some of these chemicals may be poisonous to fish and you should therefore refrain from using them on filters. You must remember to sanitize the filter tubing as well as other parts of the filter. A filter brush is helpful in clearing the sludge that is present in small crevices. Care should also be taken while removing and replacing the filter from the fish tank. The filter should be removed in such a way that it does not cause much disturbance to fish, plant, or rocks.

In case the filter requires refilling, then it should be properly refilled using appropriate chemicals and while doing care should be taken that the chemicals do not leak. This requires proper sealing of the container of filtration media. In case there are any algae or lime deposits on the filter then they should be properly cleaned and thoroughly rinsed with fresh water. If you have used any chemicals while cleaning the filter then they should be properly cleaned and sanitized in such a way that the chemical is completely removed from the filter before they are placed back in the tank.

Maintenance of fish tank filters should be done regularly in the same way maintenance is done on your motor vehicle. If proper maintenance is not done then it may lead to non-function of the filter. It is also recommended that the first few times cleaning is done it should be done by an expert.Pros and Cons of Fish Tank Filters

Filters are the most important component of both freshwater and marine aquaria. Filters help to remove physical as well and soluble chemical waste from your fish tank filter which makes maintenance simpler.

Fish that are kept in fish tanks produce waste from their respiration and excrement. Other sources of waste are the uneaten plants or food as well as fish that have died in the tank. These waste products get collected in the tanks and thereby make the tank water contaminated. Filtration is a common method used to maintain a healthy aquarium.

The activated carbon that is present in the water produces odors which is a negative. However modifications to the carbon that is present may inhibit the growth of beneficial bacteria. For everyday use one should use activated carbon in their filters.

The best way you can remove carbon from fish tanks is by removing heavy metals and other toxic chemicals out of the water. It is also great to remove meds out of the water so that the water remains carbon free. One of the drawbacks to carbon is the need to replace it monthly. However if the tap water is already clear of most things you don't really require carbon that much.

A number of materials are suitable for fish tank filtration. This includes synthetic wools or foams which are made of nylon or polyethylene terephthalate. The materials which have a greater surface area provide both biological and mechanical filtration.

Some simple fish tank filters will generally have activated carbon and filter wool. The filter wool traps large debris and particles which thereby activates smaller impurities. However these type of filters must be changed frequently at regular intervals. This is very important due to the activated carbon filters which can re-release their absorbed materials in large if left to saturate.

The pros of external tank filters are that they are generally more useful and easy to maintain compared to internal tank filters. The external tank filters are Canister filters, Diatom filters, Trickle filters and Baffle filters. Internal filters are Airlift filters, Under Gravel filters, Submersible pumps/filters, Marine specific systems, Protein Skimmers, Deep sand beds and Berlin method.

All these filters are beneficial in degrading many components into gaseous form like nitrate to gaseous nitrogen. Filtration can also be done in a mechanical way just like the removal of solid waste can be removed by simple physical hand netting of the debris. All removal of solid waste involves filtering water through some form of mesh in a process known as mechanical filtration. However mechanical filtration is ineffective if the solid wastes are not removed from the filter and are allowed to decay and dissolve in the water.

How to Choose Fish Tank Filter

The filter along with its heater is basically the most important part when setting up a fish tank. If you don’t have this then the water in your fish tank will become similar to a stagnant pond with almost nothing will able to live in the water except the green algae. There are two vital types of fish tank filters which you should look for; internal and external. You can use both these filters in either salt water or fresh water aquariums.

There are two basic kinds of internal filters from which, one is the under gravel filter.

The other internal filter is actually more along the lines of a sump tank a bit below the main tank and is mainly used for salt water tanks. This includes an internal tube which lets water flow down into the sump wherein it is pumped from a series of filters which collect all the waste and bad organisms. The filter then pumps the filtered water back into the top of the main tank thereby maintaining the continuous flow. This can be a great filter choice but can also be a bit expensive while also creating a bit of background noise.

Choosing external fish tank filters can be a great choice for any fish tank if you can afford it. Almost all the filtering tasks are done outside the fish tank which keeps the filtered water separate from the unfiltered water until it returns back into the tank. There are two long hoses which connect the filter and the tank. One supplies the filter while the other returns the filtered water into the tank. This external filter is the most effective but can also be a bit expensive.

You can purchase any of these filters for your fish tank from the local pet store but you might have a hard time in finding the expensive external type of filter at your local store. The other sump type of filter will basically require a tank which is either custom made or altered. Therefore if you are spending some extra money on this type of fish tank filter system then it would be wise to spend your money on the best quality external fish tank filter. This is because the external fish tank filter might cost your more initially but in the long run you will save a lot of money on maintenance while also providing the best habitat for the fish to live.

For any fish tank setup, both a filter and heater are important along with lights. Without a filter the fish tank will become a polluted pond. Fish tank filters keep the tank or aquariums clean and water remains fresh for a longer duration. Selecting the right filter for a fish tank as per its size is the basic requirement. Maintenance of fish tank filters is the key for longer health of the aquarium. The combination of biological, mechanical and chemical filtration is necessary to keep a clean tank. The filter will keep oxygen flowing in the tank equally and allow fish to remain alive in fresh water for a longer period.

Filters increase the life of fish in tanks as well as that of the tanks themselves. Fish tank filters, along with their required accessories, will enable cycling of water correctly in the tank. Filtration is required to filter out wastes and impurities. Use of fish tank filters enables you to keep the water environment clean and remove dirt from the glass walls. Advanced filters can be used for best results as per your budget. Selecting a proper fish tank filter as per your requirements is not a problem once you know what to look for. However it creates a big problem when an improper fish tank filter is purchased.