How Different Fish Tank Filters Affect Your Aquarium Differently

Fish tank filters provide the most basic and also the most important task than any other equipment in your aquarium. It filters out the waste and chemical pollutants from the water, optimizing it to sustain aquatic life. The fish tank is very different from the natural environment that the fish originated from and what the filter does is to try to match that environment as close as humanly possible. While this the ecosystem we create in an aquarium will never be as perfect as that created by nature, with the proper selection of fish tan filters, you will have one that will sustain healthy fish for years to come.

There are numerous brands and models of fish tank filters in the marketplace today that many people especially those new to the hobby might feel overwhelmed by which to choose. Though the designs and prices may differ greatly, they do share common characteristics which we will look at in this article.

Canister Filters

These are some of the best filters in the marketplace today. Canister filters function by suctioning out the water from the tank, pumping them through the canister which is divided into various chambers where they undergo mechanical, biological and chemical filtration before being pumped back into the water. Canister filters are ideal for people who have little time for aquarium maintenance as they would only need to be maintained once every quarter or more while keeping the tank water purified. Because the canister is situated outside of the fish tank, they are very easy to clean and do not make a mess. However, they do come with a high price. Their suction power is also generally strong which would not be great for small aquariums or ones where you would keep small, weak aquatic life.

Diatom Filters

These filters would definitely give you one of the best filtration compared to any other filter. Diatom filters use microscopic size earth particles are their filter media which do an excellent job at filtering out even the most minute of waste matter. Your fish will be swimming in the cleanest water they have ever been in. Just like the Canister Filter, these filters also come with a high price. Also, they require special maintenance and handling. The diatom media is so minute that if you accidentally breathe it in, it can affect your lungs. So they are more suitable for more experience breeders with special fish that require great care.

Sponge Filters

Among the cheaper range of filters, these perform the best filtration. A sponge filter is simply a sponge head attached to the end of a suction tube. The sponge head performs mechanical as well as biological filtration. Cleaning it is a matter of removing the sponge head and washing it in dechlorinated water. The amount of washing depends on how much fish you have in your tank and how much food you feed them. But you do need to spend time washing them often or else they will get clogged up. These filters are great for small tanks and weak fish as the sponge head buffers down the suction strength of the pump.

Filters

These filters are very common especially if you buy your starter aquarium as a set. E filter consists of a raised base and gravel is layered on top acting as the filter media. Water is sucked through the gravel which traps waste matter, providing mechanical as well as biological filtration. Though it has received its share of bad press, it does function fairly well as a starter kit. The gravel needs to be vacuumed periodically to prevent it from getting clogged and disease from decaying waste. It also does not have too strong suction, so is good for a small tank and weak fish.

Corner Filters

These are probably the cheapest filters you can find. I personally do not fancy these filters for a number of reasons. Firstly, the filter media, usually a sponge, sits in a box that is also soaking in the aquarium water which is not really hygienic. Secondly, cleaning the media will be messy, which involves removing the whole filter from inside the tank and taking out the filter media. This also involves placing your hands inside the water which will not be good for the fish. It this is what you can afford than it’s better than nothing but try to move up to one of the other filters soon.

These are some of the main fish tank filter [http://fish-tank-filters.org/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-different-fish-tank-filters/] types than you can find sold in pet stores all over the country. Selecting them is a matter of considering your lifestyle and budget. For a more detailed looked at these filters as well as other aquarium guides visit Fish Tank Filters at [http://fish-tank-filters.org] today.

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