Read About Aquarium Water Filters

Aquarium Water Filters are of three types -- chemical, mechanical and biological -- and an effective filtration method includes all the three. Here's everything you need to know about this product.

Aquarium Water Filters - What are they?

1. Description:

   Water filters perform three critical jobs -- filtering solid wastes, removing toxic chemicals, and converting toxic organic or chemical wastes into harmless dissolved elements that can be easily removed.

2. Who Needs These?

   Aquarium water filters are a must for any aquarist.

3. Why Do You Need These?

   Chemicals and toxins form in the water continuously and unless they are removed they can become fatal for the fish.

4. Types:

   There are three basic principles upon which all filters work. They are -- mechanical filtration method, chemical filtration method and biological filtration method.

5. Benefits:

   Filters effectively remove the toxic wastes in water and keep the algae growth under prescribed levels.

Aquarium Water Filters - Uses

1. For Young Pets:

   Young fry are sensitive to even slight chemical imbalances in water. Effective filtration will keep the chemical composition intact.

2. For Adult Pets:

   Diseases like Ammonia Poisoning are not only dangerous to smaller fry but they pose fatal hazards to adult fish too. Unless the ammonia levels are kept in check by chemical filtration the fish are in constant peril.

3. For Aging Pets:

   Chemical imbalances and high levels of ammonia stress the mature fish and break down its immunity system. Proper biological and chemical filters remove the impurities in time.

Aquarium Water Filters - Tips

1. Varieties:

   There are different models of filtration including Canister filters, undergravel filters, Sponge Filters, Power Filters, Corner Filters, Wet/Dry Filters, Protein Skimmers and Fluidized Bed Filters.

2. Quality Choices:

   The best filter is one which does all three (mechanical, chemical and biological) means of filtration along with activated carbon filtering.

3. Where to Use:

   Every model has a different placement method.
   1. Corner filters are placed inside the aquariums.
   2. Undergravel filters are placed inside the aquarium typically under the gravel stratum.
   3. Wet/Dry filters are usually below the aquariums inside the stand.
   4. Power filters hang on the back of the tanks.
   5. Canister filters are placed behind the tanks.

Stand alone mechanical filters are placed either inside or outside the aquariums depending on the model type.

Aquarium Water Filters - Concerns

1. Safety Issues:

   Changing of filtration media and cleaning of filter should be performed regularly along with 10% water change and vacuuming of gravel. Clogged filters will not only work inefficiently but there is also the danger of their releasing absorbed wastes back into the water.

2. Behavioral Issues:

   Some fish are sensitive and react to certain kinds of activated carbon granules.

3. Convenience:

   Some filters come with nitrate filtration as well and they will reduce the expense and space occupied by a stand alone nitrate filter pouch or reductor.

Aquarium Water Filters - How to Choose

1. For Young Pets:

   Power filters, canister filters and wet/dry filters are usually good choices because they combine all three filtration methods..

2. For Adult Pets:

   Mechanical filtration will remove most fish waste. But a combination of all three filtrations is recommended for fish of any age.

3. For Aging Pets:

   Biological filter is a must here for it will convert the toxic chemicals.

4. Expense:

   The prices vary on the model. Power filters, canister filters, and wet/dry filters are costlier than others but are more efficient and price-worthy.

5. Other items you might need with this product:

   Water testing kits, spare filtration media are important.