Sponge filters are a very simple system. It consists of a sponge shaped cylinder that is fully submerged in the water. These setups are usually included in most starter kits as they can last for a long time if properly looked after.
Sponge filters come in many different sizes and shapes. However, keep in mind that usually their best use is as an addition to other filtration which your tank has.
Available as a one, three or six pack, this simple sponge filter will provide you with basic mechanical filtration and biological filtration.
An aquarium HOB filter is one of the most common types of filtration for small tanks. They typically provide all three types of filtration and they work by drawing water up through the siphon tube, through the media, and back out again into the tank. One of the many benefits of this product is that it is easy to access and maintain, they are also relatively cheap in comparison to other systems and the media can be changed within minutes.
The downside of this filter is that when the media is replaced, the colony of good bacteria is lost. Offering filtration needs for tanks from ten gallons to seventy gallons, this filter comes in three different sizes.
Maintenance is more straightforward than a canister setups and should be carried out weekly for better performance.
Some waste builds up on the top of the substrate which should be cleaned away by siphoning the detritus away. On the plus side, undergravel filters have a vast surface area and can be an advantage for the growth of nitrifying bacteria. Quality undergravel filter for gallon tank, providing all three stages of necessary filtration needs for a larger tank.
Most filters come with a built in pump, but some will need a pump to power them. Depending on the volume of water, you can choose different pumps.
You should always consider gravity — this can be very helpful when setting up your system. Try to let the pump work with gravity and not against it. Depending on the aquarium you want to set up, whether it is saltwater or freshwater, you should consider different pumps.
Pumps rated for saltwater aquariums can be used for freshwater tanks. However, the reverse might not be a good idea as saltwater is a lot more corrosive. This pump can be attached to filters which need a pump to function. It has an adjustable flow rate.
A sump is not actually a filter, but instead just a container for your filter and other equipment. The main purpose of a sump is to keep water from overflowing onto the floor — they can also be used to house other equipment such as protein skimmers and the heater. Traditionally, these setups are used for saltwater tanks because they are very reliable in maintaining good water quality — they are also very good for large tanks. If you are thinking of purchasing a large tank for a freshwater environment, these setups are among the best choices.
You can purchase a circulation pump to go inside the filter or purchase a full sump setup with the capacity to filter your water too. These simple, quiet and affordable sumps are great for reef and saltwater enthusiasts looking for a sump. This particular filter removes odors, discoloration, and impurities using black diamond carbon. You can purchase this filter in three different sizes as it is available for 30, 55, and gallon tanks.
The filter is appropriate for all fish and can be used in breeding tanks, fry tanks, and in the general population tank. If you have fish that produce a lot of waste, you want to purchase a bio-wheel power filter to quickly remove the toxic ammonia nitrite from the water. You definitely need some form of biological filtration in every aquarium — a filter is the easiest and most common option. They have multiple roles within an aquarium, but their main job is to clean the water.
As water passes through, waste, debris and toxins like ammonia are removed, leaving cleaner water to be released back into the tank. Your fish depend on this, otherwise it is easy for pollutants to quickly build up in the water. At low levels most pollutants are not harmful, but they can become toxic at higher levels. The buildup happens because you are keeping your fish in a relatively small space with no flushing of the water. This is why smaller tanks are harder to maintain, because it is easier for toxins to accumulate.
The second thing a filter does is create a current. This is even more important if you keep plants in your tank. Finally a filter is to be a place for bacteria to grow. While some types of bacteria can cause disease, they store cultures of beneficial bacteria that break down harmful toxins into safer molecules.
Their main role is to carry out the nitrogen cycle. One type of bacteria breaks ammonia down to nitrites, and another type breaks nitrites down to nitrates, which are less toxic. Though nitrates are considered safe, they become toxic in high concentrations.
In the aquarium ammonia needs to be converted into less toxic substances by friendly bacteria. Conversion of waste by bacteria is called biological filtration, and without it, aquarium fish will poison themselves, and die.
Water can also be further purified by exposing it to special porous materials. Activated carbon and resins can adsorb some substances from water like dyes, odours, chlorine, nitrate or phosphate.
This is called chemical filtration. So biological filtration is essential to keep all fish alive in aquariums. Mechanical filtration keeps water clear, and chemical filtration can be used to further clean water if desired. A good aquarium filter will enable mechanical, biological and chemical filtration, and will keep your fish alive and your aquarium healthy. Aquarium filters are available in two main types — internal and external.
Internal canister filters should be placed inside the aquarium, and are inexpensive, easy to fit, and simple to maintain. They consist of a pump, to draw dirty water into the filter, and a canister, where the media is placed.
At its most basic an internal filter will consist just of a pump, canister, and a sponge, with the sponge filtering both mechanically and biologically.
The sponge will become clogged over time, so should be cleaned in old tank water, never washed under the tap, see below and periodically, a portion of sponge should be replaced. Filters with two sponges instead of one, enable alternate cleaning. The best internal filters will have three separate areas for mechanical, biological and chemical filtration.
With separate, dedicated biological filter media, mechanical filters like sponge or floss can be cleaned or replaced more regularly, without damaging the all-important beneficial bacteria. Activated carbon or carbon impregnated pads occupy the chemical filtration area, giving the water a final polish before being returned to the tank.
A good internal filter will also come with a venturi — a special nozzle on the pump return pipe which draws in air and shoots fine bubbles into the water. Aquariums come in many shapes and sizes. Although there are plenty of custom sizes, the majority of aquariums are constructed to certain standard dimensions. Knowing the size , shape, and weight is very important when choosing a tank and stand, as well as a location to place them. What are the dimensions of standard tanks?
How much do they weigh once you fill them with water? You can find all that information on the aquarium size chart. Don't forget that you need an aquarium lid too.
Not sure what size heater to get for your aquarium? A heater size guide makes it easy to choose the right size heater for your aquarium and usual room temperature. Typically, aquariums should have 5 Watts of power for every gallon of water, so a gallon aquarium needs a 50 Watt heater. Since we are on the topic of heaters , here are a couple of heater tips:.
Not sure what size filter you should get? The rule of thumb is that all the water in your tank should pass through the filter at least four times each hour.
That makes it pretty easy to calculate what you need. When it's borderline, always move to a higher flow rate. For example, a thirty-gallon tank requires a flow rate of at least gallons per hour gph.
If the filter choices are either or gph, you should purchase the gph one. The aquarium should be filled with a substrate to a depth of approximately two inches. Now the question is, how much gravel will it take to do that? Is one bag enough? Are three bags way too much?
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