Four Types Of Filters Ideal For An Aquarium
Admiring a beautiful aquarium full of fish is one of the most pleasant things we can experience in our life. However, to make this moment perfect, we need your walls to be very clean. This is where the importance of the ideal filters for the aquarium comes in.
This is one of the fundamental elements in an aquarium. The filter is responsible for keeping the biome balanced, so that our fish can live healthily. But choosing the ideal filter for the aquarium can be a very complicated task.
The ideal aquarium
We spent a lot of time thinking about the aquarium model and the type of decoration we want it to have inside. These elements are important, but few people know that choosing the ideal filter is essential for the aquarium to be a welcoming place for our fish.
On the market we can find several different types of filters, which adjust according to the needs of the aquarium that we are wanting for our friends.
Knowing how to choose one of the ideal filters for the aquarium is extremely important, since it is responsible for cleaning the water. The function of the filter is to absorb impurities.
These impurities we are referring to are those organic compounds that are floating in the water (which are usually the feces of the fish itself). In addition, the filter is in charge of keeping the bacterial flora in order to prevent diseases in the fish.
The filter also helps the oxygen cycle to take place properly, in addition to making the oxygen remain stable in all areas of the aquarium. Failure in this cycle can result in nitrogen nitrate poisoning, which can be extremely lethal to your pet.
Differences between filters
Filters have different versions; some are internal, while others are external. In small aquariums, it is more common to see internal filters, while in large aquariums, external filters are generally used.
The truth is that each filter works differently in the purification process. We can find filters in two forms: in chemical form or in mechanical form. Each works in a different way, which is why the filter structure can vary.
- Mechanical filters absorb impurities through the suction of water, through a porous surface or through a screen.
- Chemical filters, on the other hand, eliminate the presence of toxic elements in the water, and ensure that it has the appropriate pH, so that the fish live with total normality.
- We cannot fail to mention another type of filter: the biological filter, which consists of creating bacteria to help during the nitrogen cycle and, in this way, keep the water healthy for the pet.
In the case of the biological filter, bacteria are created in a natural way during the aquarium air conditioning process. Once the reservoir is in optimal condition (this takes three to four weeks), at least two types of beneficial bacteria are created within this biome , which will help with the nitrogen cycle.
Next, we’ll talk a little about the ideal filters for the aquarium. Keep in mind that each one works differently and can be more or less suitable depending on the size of the aquarium.
Types of Filters Ideal for an Aquarium
Canister Filters
This type of filter was designed for large aquariums. It consists of a reservoir of variable size according to your needs.
They work mostly mechanically : they suck the water into the reservoir, where it passes through different screens, which take care of the chemical part of the aquarium and retain biological waste.
The problem with this filter is that it takes up a lot of space (due to the reservoir), and they are usually the most expensive. However, its cleaning is very easy, as it stays out of the aquarium.
Hanging filters (internal)
This type of filter, as its name implies, works internally and hangs on one side of the aquarium glass. Its form of filtration consists of sucking the water through a pump into the container and then pumping it back through another pipe towards the aquarium. It is ideal for medium-sized and even large aquariums.
These filters generally have three inner layers that are in charge of cleaning up the debris and toxins that are present in the water. Most of these filters are of high quality and affordable, but they take time and are more difficult to clean.
Internal filters
As its name implies, filters in this category are found inside the tank. They can be found in medium and small sizes. They are ideal for small aquariums or serve as an adjunct to large aquariums.
Many of these filters produce the air bubbles that help maintain oxygen in the aquarium and allow the fish to play with them.
These types of filters are one of the cheapest and take up little space. The only problem is that they require more maintenance than previous types.
Sponge Filters
This type of filter falls into the category of built-in filters, but what really sets them apart are: their size, cost and the way they work. It consists of a sponge that filters waste through an air bubble underneath it.
Small ones are the cheapest, but they can be found in the large size as well. In addition, the sponge creates a beneficial bacterial layer for the aquarium. They are ideal for small aquariums as their effectiveness is limited to one area only.
