4 Types Of Aquarium Filters You Should Use
Admiring an aquarium full of fish is one of the most pleasant and relaxing things you can do. But to set up one, as it should be, its walls must be perfectly transparent. To do this, in this article we will show you 4 types of aquarium filters that you should use.
The filters for the aquarium are the fundamental pieces. It is what keeps the biome balanced and in shape so that fish can live healthy and happy.
The ideal aquarium
A lot of time is spent thinking about the shape of the aquarium and the decoration to put inside it. These elements are important, but few know that choosing the ideal filter is much more important. From this, in fact, will depend on the fact that the aquarium becomes a welcoming home for fish.
There are several types of filters available on the market today which are adjusted according to the needs of the aquarium you are creating.
Knowing how to choose these accessories will allow you to set up a perfect aquarium. They are essential for regulating the cleanliness of the water, ensuring the correct absorption of impurities and the elimination of organic remains.
When we talk about the impurities present in the aquarium, we are talking about everything that can remain suspended and make the water cloudy.
Remains that can stick to the crystal walls and remain there, becoming very difficult to remove.
For example, fish feces and food waste. In addition, the filter is also responsible for maintaining the bacterial flora in order to prevent any diseases.
The filter also allows the nitrogen cycle to occur correctly. Helps oxygen stay stable all over the place.
If this cycle is not carried out consistently and correctly, the effects of nitrogen nitrate poisoning can be very serious and even lethal.
Differences between filters
Filters come in different forms. Some are internal while others can be hooked from the outside. In small aquariums it is common to use the former, while in larger spaces it is advisable to exploit the greater power of the external ones.
In fact, each filter works differently with regards to the purification process.
These objects can function in two ways: chemically or mechanically. Each works differently from the other, which is why the structure of the filter can vary.
- Mechanical filters suck in water which is passed through a porous surface or a special grid, designed to block dirt.
- The chemical ones eliminate the presence of toxic elements in the water and ensure the maintenance of the right pH for the fish, so that they can live healthy.
There is also a third type of aquarium filters:
- Biological filters, which consist in the creation of bacteria that guarantee the nitrogen cycle and serve to keep the water perfectly clean.
In the case of biological filters, these are created naturally during the aquarium’s climate control process.
Once this small ecosystem is in ideal conditions (between three and four weeks), at least two types of beneficial bacteria will be created in the biome , which will be critical to the nitrogen cycle.
After this long but necessary introduction, let’s finally see the 4 types of aquarium filters you should use. Keep in mind that each of them works differently:
Types of filters ideal for the aquarium
External container filter
Designed for large aquariums, these filters consist of a container that varies in size according to need.
They work mostly mechanically: they suck the water that will pass through several filter grids, before returning to the aquarium, chemically clean and free of any biological waste.
The problems that these filters can have is the amount of space c h and occupy because of the container, in addition to the expense, since they tend to be more expensive.
However, they are easier to clean and manageable from the outside, without having to get your hands wet.
Hanging filter
This type of filters are attached and suspended on one side of the aquarium.
They work by sucking water through a tube from the container and then expelling it through another conduit, towards the aquarium.
It is the ideal choice for medium sized aquariums.
These filters usually have three internal layers which are responsible for cleaning the waste and toxins present in the water.
Many of these filters are of high quality and affordable, but have more time and difficulty to clean.
Internal filter
As the name suggests, the filters of this category are located inside the aquarium. They are medium or small in size, designed for small aquariums or as an extra solution for large ones.
Many of these filters produce air bubbles which help maintain oxygenation in the aquarium and allow the fish to play.
They are among the least expensive and take up little space. The only problem is that they still need more maintenance than the previous two types of filters.
Sponge filter
We close our review dedicated to aquarium filters with a last type which, in theory, could be included among the internal ones.
What differentiates them is the size, cost and the way they work. They consist of a sponge that traps the debris present in the water, sent towards the filter by an air bubble.
They are the least expensive when they are small but, depending on the type, they can be quite large.
In addition, the sponge creates a bacterial layer that is beneficial to the ecosystem. They are ideal for small aquariums, as their effectiveness increases in small spaces.
