subject: What Makes Power Fish Tank Filters Great [print this page] There are many fish tank filters to choose from, sometimes it may be daunting especially to those who are just starting this hobby. There are a number of important considerations that you need to take before you decide which aquarium filter to finally purchase. Power fish tank filters are among the most common aquarium filters used by breeders today and it's really easy to see why.
The great thing about power aquarium filters is that the filter media is positioned, out of the water. Most power filters are hung on the outside of the aquarium. Water is suctioned from the aquarium, flowed through the filter media externally and then pumped back into the fish tank cleaned.
Is it really important to have the filter media out of the water? The first reason is that very soon the filter media will be clogged with waste. If the filter media had been soaking inside the aquarium water, it will eventually contaminate the water again. With the filter media out of the water, there is no likelihood of the water getting contaminated by the waste.
The second reason why having the filter media away from the water is great is with regards to cleaning it. It is less messy to clean the filter media from the external filter. If the filter media was inside the aquarium water, you would have to dip your hands into the water and take it out dripping. No matter how clean you think your hands is, there is stilla possibility of contamination.
The parts of power aquarium filters can also be bought separately unlike many of the other fish tank filters. This means that in the event one of the parts is worn or broken, you do not need to buy the whole set again, rather you would just need to buy that exact part that you need.
But just like any other fish tank filter, there are some downsides to power filters too. The biggest problem with power filters is that the suction produced might be a little powerful. This might cause smaller fish or ones that are sick to be sucked into the suction tubes, clogging up the filter and killing or maiming the fish. But this is easily solved by placing a sponge head over the suction inlet.
Power fish tank filters are great for small or medium fish tanks, are easy to clean and easy to maintain.
