Filtration Systems For Your Aquarium
If your fish tank can hold at least 20 gallons of water
, aquarium canister filters are ideal for your tank's filtration system. These filters work by sucking out dirty water out of the tank with the use of tubes. The water is then made to pass through trays or chambers of filter media, taking out dirt particles starting with the largest down to the smallest. The clean water is then pumped back to the fish tank with another set of tubes.
Benefits and drawbacks
Aquarium canister filters come with their own sets of advantages and disadvantages. Be aware of both the pros and cons to know if you can live with the trade-off.
However, you have to be aware of the disadvantages of using canister filters as well. For one, they cost more than the other types of filters and are also prone to leaking. A more serious concern though is that some owners have noted that canister filters are not to be used when you have newborn fish. They tend to suck out the babies along with the water, killing them in the process.
Types of filtration
If you have decided to push through with aquarium canister filters, make sure that all three filtration methods are present. A complete filtration system should include mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration. The first stage is usually mechanical filtration, wherein the largest dirt particles are trapped. In chemical filtration, a substance, in most cases carbon, is used to absorb impurities like foul odor and color. Biological filtration employs bacteria cultures to change toxic nitrates into substances that are less harmful to the aquarium's inhabitants.
If you have decided on getting aquarium canister filters, be sure to get a model that has all types of filtration methods. To have a complete filtration system, the filter should support mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration. In almost all filters, mechanical filtration is the first stage. Here, the largest dirt particles, such as fish waste and dead plant matter, are trapped. On the other hand, chemical filtration involves absorbing water impurities such as color and odor, usually with the use of carbon. For biological filtration, bacteria cultures housed in trays or rings are used to change elements such as nitrates that are toxic to the fish into less harmful substances.
Cleaning and maintenance tips
You have to do regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure that your aquarium canister filters will work efficiently for a long time. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when cleaning. Maintenance work generally depends on the brand, model, and type of filtration media used, as these need to be cleaned according to manufacturer's specifications. Also, do not forget to include the tubes and pump when cleaning. Do not clean the biological media as this will wipe out the bacteria colonies, rendering your biological filtration useless.
A few things to watch out for
When choosing between the different models of aquarium canister filters, ask for a demo if possible. This is to check if the filter easily starts up after you turn it off when cleaning. Also check for water spills during startup. Note if the filter is quiet or not when it is in operation.
Check if the mechanical and chemical filtration parts are easy to reach since these are the ones you will have to clean frequently. Don't be shy to ask the salesperson for a demo. This is so you can check if it is easy to start up after turning it off during cleaning. During startup, note if there are water spills. The filter should also be quiet while it is being used.
by: Jordan McPelt
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