Aquarium Filters, Don’t Mess This One Up

If you do not know what kinds of aqurium filters are available, then it can get pretty confusing when entering your average aquarium shop. It is common knowledge that filtration is essential to remove waste products from the aquarium so that pollution can be under control. This is only partly true when addressing the topic of the filter system.

Unlike the natural habitat of aquatic creatures where the water conditions are naturally in equilibrium with the adapted ecosystems, the aquarium habitat lacks the fortitude of nature to manage the same processes and changes in an artificial environment. Things which occur naturally such as death and waste products result in changes in water conditions. Some of the changes are due to the presence of organic matter which is decomposing, toxins in the water, waste products, or even chemicals from the tap water itself.

In order to reduce the level of pollutants in the water, a three stage filtration system is needed. During each stage of filtration, different kinds of filters are used, which is why there are so many available on the market. The three stages of filtration are commonly referred to as chemical, biological and mechanical. Hobbyists use different ones to employ the features of all the three types of filtration to create a healthy environment for aquatic organisms.

Probably the most important type is the biological filter, and this tends to be the most neglected. This is necessary to combat the byproducts of the nitrogen cycle, a basic process in any aquarium habitat. Ammonia is the byproduct of this naturally occurring process which is eventually converted to nitrate by bacteria. Ammonia and nitrates are deadly toxins to applaud organisms. These levels of toxins can be reduced drastically with biological filtration. Some of the types of filter media used are gravel and ceramic rings as well a sponge filters which helped promote the growth of good bacteria, therefore reducing toxins in the water. The mechanical type of filtration uses an external power filter. Mechanical filtration is a predecessor to chemical filtration as it clears the water superficially of debris and waste.

These chemicals is the remaining type of filtration which is used to remove any dissolved compounds are chemicals that one cannot see with their own eyes. Many things such as tap water, fish food, additives and supplements are some of the things which produce phosphate and silicate which are dissolved by this type of filtration. Though they are not toxic in nature, the presence of these chemicals can stunt the fish growth or result in diseases. Some of the dissolved compounds can also be the byproduct of biological decay. Most filters can multitask chemical filtration with other types of filtration by the use of granulated activated carbon which has been proven to do well with the absorption of dissolved compounds. Make sure that you do not mistaken activated carbon for charcoal when you go to your pet shop.

Using different combinations of filters available today, you can make sure that your tank has all of the filtration needs available to it. Getting the right combination of filters for the type and size of aquarium that you’re planning on building only takes a small amount of research and planning, but it can mean the difference between healthy and unhealthy fish.