Fish Tank Filters

Fish Tank Filters

Fish tank filters: What are the different types of filters? Which ones are best for your tank?
One of most important things you need to consider when setting up a new tank is the filter you are going to install. For some types of exotic fish, the wrong filter means death. You will need to understand what a filter is and how it works before you purchase one for your tank.

How do they work?
A tube suctions up air which forces water to enter from the tank. The water transfers through the filter and back out into the aquarium. Filters vary on design but, this is basic concept found in all of them.

Why is a filter so important?
Filters basically perform two important duties. The first thing they do is remove all harmful and/or unneeded particles from the water. The second thing they do is to reduce the amount of ammonia in the tank. The filter needs to be changed occasionally, at least cleaned. The particles it removes from the tank stay in the filter and the water that passes through will eventually carry it back into the aquarium. With a reduction of ammonia in your tank, there will be a lower chance of algae growing in your tank.

What kind of filter should you use?
There a few things that will determine what kind of filter you need. These include the size of your tank, the type of tank, the fish you plan you buy, and your budget. The three cheapest types of tank include the corner box filter, under gravel filter, and the sponge filter. Corner box filter come with most smaller aquarium kits. This filter provides good oxygen circulation and ammonia removal.
The under gravel filter works just like its name suggests. Instead of pulling the dirt particles and ammonia up and out of the water, the under gravel filter pulls them down under the gravel and traps them there. The waste and debris are trapped along the length of the bottom of the tank, keeping the rest of the tank clean and safe for your fish. The sponge filter is used mostly when there is breeding going on.

Since the tubes on the sponge filter is so small, baby fish will not be sucked up into it. Besides, the sponge filter provides microscopic nutrients for young fish. Then there are more expensive filters. These include canister filters, diatom filters and reverse osmosis filters. These filters are designed mostly for larger tanks. Canister filters a larger amount of water. In addition, they also serve as a great water softener and degasser. The diatom filter is basically same except that they provide an added bonus. They use diatomaceous earth, skeletons of tiny animals that are used to form plankton in both fresh and salt water tanks. Reverse osmosis filters are basically used for tropical fish that cannot live in hard water. This filter removes any metals, mineral salts or calcium deposits that may form in your tank.