For freshwater aquarium plants enthusiasts, a fitting filtration system for the aquarium usually base to the decision on the size of the tank and number of fish. Even for today's aquariums, there are a wide variety of filter options available. Listed below are a few types of aquarium filter that may suit your situation:

Wet/Dry Filters - This type is the ultimate in biological filtration and they are ideal for saltwater fish-only or large aquariums. They are called wet/dry filters because the biological filter media is exposed to both water and air. The design aid the production of beneficial bacteria. They do, however, require the most effort to set up and are rather elaborate. Most models are designed for placement under an aquarium and require an overflow box on the back. Most wet/dry filters include a sump/reservoir that holds auxiliary equipment along with the required water return pump.

Canister Filters - These provide superior biological, chemical and mechanical filtration for larger aquariums or aquariums with a large number of fish. Compared to power filters, canister filters require slightly more effort to set up and maintain. These multipurpose filters are ideal for saltwater aquariums, as well as freshwater planted aquariums.

Internal Power Filters - These filters have the space-saving feature of air- driven internal filter with the power and versatility of power filters. The work great with circulating water since they are placed near the bottom of the aquarium. These filters eliminate waste before it has a chance to settle along the bottom. They are generally intended for smaller aquariums, under 20 gallons.

Power Filters - These are among the most widely used aquarium filters. They provide excellent biological, chemical and mechanical filtration. The designs allow them to hang off of the back of the aquarium and are perfect for tropical fish aquariums. Filter cartridges are replaceable, making maintenance simple and convenient. Newer models feature either a biological filter pad or bio-wheel to further filtration processes.

Undergravel Filters - As expected, these filters are placed underneath a layer of gravel. They are air-driven and move water though the gravel, creating favorable conditions for biological filtration; once bacteria colonizes in the gravel they begin to break down waste materials. They are small and often inexpensive. They can be run by an air pump or powerhead. Models feature availability for both chemical and mechanical filtration.

Air-Driven Internal Filters - These inexpensive, box-like or foam filters are ideal for small aquariums with very small fish. They are strong enough to maintain good water conditions, but also gentle enough to keep fish free of harm. Most of these provide mechanical, chemical and biological filtration, and are placed conveniently inside your aquarium allowing you to place the aquarium close to walls.

However to achieve maximum results on aquarium filtration system, you may need more than one type of filter. To choose the right aquarium filtration systems, you must know exactly the conditions required by the aquarium community. Customize your situation and condition of the aquarium with proper filtration system that meets the required standards. Hope that the list of a few types of aquarium filters above are helpful to determine a fitting aquarium filter that suit to your situation.

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How do Freshwater Aquarium Filters work?

Any types of aquarium filters really worth its salt really should be able of doing in all a few ways mechanically, biologically and chemically. A fourth way also exists known as germicidal or algaecidal, this type of filtration is usually utilized for a certain purpose like acquiring rid of green drinking water and utilises a UV steriliser.

Large particles like food squander and fish excreta are taken out mechanically by foam and/or fibre filtration media. The filter medium differs in texture from coarse to good, significant particles are eliminated initial by the coarse filter and then modest particles are eliminated by the very good filter.

Two sort of excellent bacteria are used in biological filtration. Fish squander speedily turns into ammonia which is really toxic to the fish. Between the two sorts of bacteria ammonia is transformed to nitrite and then nitrite is converted to the much less toxic nitrate. Drinking water alterations then maintain the nitrate levels down to an acceptable degree.

Activated charcoal or ion trade resins are employed in chemical filters. When the tank is initial setup chemical filtration is needed but it is not usually needed right after that.

The Five Major Types of Aquarium Filters

1) Among the first filters to show up on the market place ended up the in-tank also know as box or corner filters. Most of the modern day filters utilised right now are based upon these filters. They work by pulling water by means of many distinct filter media utilizing an air pump. Compared with other filters available they are not extremely effective but they are reasonable in cost. They are generally utilised today in breeding and hospital tanks.

2). Undergravel filters (UGF) consist of a grid of plastic pipes with tiny holes every 50 % inch or so. A space of drinking water is created underneath the gravel because the grid sits there. Up to four 'air lifts' little by little pull the squander down through the substrate into the pipes. The theory is that bacteria will break it down there. Below gravel filters use an 'air lift' to pull water by way of them so oxygenation is higher other positive aspects are that they are cheap to purchase and straightforward to set up and operate. One disadvantage is that they normally do not do chemical filtration. Also the small holes in the pipes are easily blocked and then squander tends to build up in the substrate. So you have to remove the filter two or 3 times a calendar year to give it a great clean as well as routinely use a siphonic hoover on the gravel. This indicates that you have to remove most of the substrate to get at the filter. For this purpose on your own, undergravel filters are becoming less typical.

3) Electricity filters hang on the exterior of the tank and use a pump to pull h2o up into the filter. The h2o falls again into the aquarium right after getting handed by way of mechanical, biological and quite possibly chemical filter media. These filters are quickly gaining popularity with aquarists due to the fact they are productive, marginally less costly than canisters, and a dream to maintain. Because they are exposed to the air they help oxygenate the drinking water.

4) Wet/dry or trickle filters. They are only integrated for completeness. Their use is normally constrained to quite significant tanks. They are pricey and have been known to empty aquariums of their water if they go mistaken!

5) A much better selection of the top major types of aquarium filters are Canister Filters. A siphon tube connected to a canister and pump pulls water out of the tank and by way of the canister and a return tube places the h2o back again in. Normally the canister consists of coarse ceramic 'donuts' or a coarse fibre, probably some chemical filtration medium like charcoal, porous glass or stone for biological filtration completed with a quite fine filter fibre. A canister filter consequently performs all three kinds of filtering.

Canister filters are great at maintaining your tank water crystal apparent. The downside to these filters is that they have a tendency to be pricey, use high-priced media, and want to be preserved every month. If they are not maintained properly they can grow to be nutrient traps.

The end result is that nitrogenous waste is pumped again into the tank since of the dirty filter media. Inadequate h2o top quality and algae bloom are induced by it! Also, since canisters are fully closed, they do not oxygenate the h2o so it gets to be essential to include an airstone or possibly a small water pump to agitate the water floor. General though, when correctly taken care of, a great canister filter is difficult to conquer.

Conclusion
It is important that you supply efficient filtration in addition to normal water alterations to quit a toxin construct up which will at some point trigger your fish and plants to die. Canister filters perform filtration by way of a canister chamber that sits typically underneath the fish tank. It is the most costly sort of filter but it performs outstanding filtration. There are a range of different possibilities which have been outlined above. It is your choice.

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Nitrogen Cycle refers to the conversion of toxic nitrogenous compounds, ammonia and nitrite to nitrate. Ammonia and Nitrite are more likely to reach toxic levels when first starting an aquarium, or if certain events take place which eliminate or reduce beneficial nitrifying bacteria, such as disease treatments, filter maintenance or prolonged power failures.

Bacteria take time to establish themselves. "Nitrifying bacteria" reproduce every eight hours. The initial nitrifying bacteria to populate tend to be Nitrosomonas, which convert ammonia to nitrite. This takes approximately ten days, if the aquarium is not supplemented with Nutrafin Cycle. The levels of ammonia during this stage are often toxic and fish populations should consist of a few very hardy species. Additional water changes are recommended, always ensuring that pH levels are not increased (to avoid increasing the toxic ammonia component). The use of Nutrafin Cycle is highly recommended to introduce significant quantities of ideal bacterial strains, critical for rapid biological purification and establishment.

The second group of nitrifying bacteria to populate are those of Nitrobacter, which convert nitrite to nitrate. This period takes up to approximately twenty-one days, after which nitrite should be almost gone if the aquarium is not supplemented with Nutrafin Cycle. During this phase, it is highly beneficial to perform additional partial water changes. Nitrite is also a very toxic compound. When present in high enough concentrations, it is lethal and can affect the red blood cells of fish. Should nitrite levels persist for more than twenty-one days, additional partial water changes should be performed, along with supplemental doses of Nutrafin Cycle.

For new aquariums, ensure the following:

• Avoid overfeeding (2 feedings daily, amount consumed in 2 minutes).
• Regular testing of Ammonia, Nitrite, & pH.
• Stock the aquarium slowly (over a 3 to 4 month period).
• Regular removal of organic debris (dead plant leaves, etc.).
• Use Nutrafin Aqua Plus with all water changes (eliminates toxic elements and reduces stress).
• Regular dosage of Nutrafin Cycle (builds and maintains superior biological filtration).

It is important to understand that water chemistry, temperature, pollutants and other factors can affect the performance of nitrifying bacteria. Maintaining stable temperature, pH and water quality is important for all tank inhabitants, even for those that are invisible to the human eye, specifically, bacteria. Although ammonia and nitrite readings may be zero, after approximately one month, the aquarium has not reached full biological stability.

Biological filters functions instead provide a place for the growth of bacteria to through a cycling process, convert a harmful pollutants in water to harmless nitrate. Nitrate is nitrogen, therefore this cycling process is also referred to the nitrogen cycle.

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Different to the UV filters which effectively used to bacteria, biological filters functions instead provide a place for the growth of bacteria to through a cycling process, convert a harmful pollutants in water to harmless nitrate. Nitrate is nitrogen, therefore this cycling process is also referred to as the nitrogen cycle, or cycling a tank.

Beside live in the biological filters the good bacteria in fact also grow in the aquarium, such as on sand, rocks, and even water plants. However, this amount is not enough to break down ammonia and nitrite are formed in the aquarium. Therefore must be provided a bigger place for growth, namely in the filter media.

Given the bacteria requires a lot of oxygen for life and growth, the availability of oxygen all the time is absolute. This can be achieved if the water flow through the filter media is strong enough, so that oxygen can be numerous, or we can used biological filters with filter media that many cavity and not quickly clogged, for example bioball.

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Aquarium environments are isolated or separated from its natural. The fish that we keep, in fact live in his own feces. In addition to regular water replacement, aquarium filters system is the most important key to maintaining the aquarium water quality. So not only remain clear water, but also healthy for the environment.

Although the water looks clear and the aquarium is clean, all dirt trapped in the filter media and will remain in the aquarium water recirculation system. Therefore, the filter media should be cleaned regularly.

Aquarium filters function based on the principle of work divided into three parts, namely a mechanical filters, chemical filters, and biological filters.

Almost all of the aquarium filters types are used to function as the mechanical filters, because the mechanical filter is the main function of the aquarium filter, which aims to filter or capture dirt that flows through the filter media.

While the chemical filters function is not to filter out dirt, but to make the aquarium water quality becomes as desired by the activated carbon media or peat.

Similarly with chemical filters, the biological filters also have the own function that aims to provide a place for the growth of bacteria for decomposition of ammonia and nitrite which are harmful to fish life.

Filter is the heart of aquarium. People said that goldfish can live healthy and happy in a small fish tank without using aquarium filters. My personal opinion about the statement is the fish not likely happy! Keeping fish in a small fish tank and without using aquarium filters can be categorized as torture, because the fish were forced to live in a dirty environment and unhealthy.

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