Aquarium filters

Aquarium filters work in three ways: biological, mechanical, and chemical.

• Biological filters – these are micro bacterial and plants, although plants provide little filtration and are sometimes more of a burden on your filter.
• Mechanical filters – these work by pushing water though a media for particles to get caught on. The finer the media the smaller the particles caught. Be aware the finer the media the more likely it will get clogged. Some filters come with a sump pool for collecting larger pieces of debris. Mechanical filters need to be cleaned frequently.
• Chemical filters – these aquarium filters usually use activated carbon. The carbon absorbs toxins until it is saturated. The carbon needs to be changed often and this is critical because the carbon will actually begin to release toxins once saturated. There are also some chemical resins which can also be used for filtration. Please read the directions on those resins carefully.

Aquarium filters can be either submersible or non-submersible. For best filtration, it’s wise to use multiple units. Here is a list of some different models of filters.

• Hanging power filters – these hang off the back of the tank. Use an air pump to push water through filter and out via spillway.
• Corner box filters – these draw water through media in a plastic or acrylic box. Powered by an external air pump.
• Under gravel filters – these draw dirty water through gravel and optional other media cartridge. You will have a plastic tray that will hold the gravel up from the bottom of the tank.
• Sponge filters – these draw water through a sponge which traps particles using an air pump.
• Canister filters – these aquarium filters use all three media categories. Pumps water out of tank into canister where it is filtered biologically, mechanically, and chemically. The water is then pumped back into tank via spillway.

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