| There are so many types of aquarium filters | | | | most expensive and most powerful top of the |
| today, it's no wonder people are overwhelmed | | | | line filtration system for a teeny-weeny aquarium |
| when setting up their fish tank for the very first | | | | you have back at home. And you definitely don't |
| time. In this article I'll share some tips on what to | | | | want to get a cheap underpowered filter system, |
| consider when choosing your very own aquarium | | | | go home, install it, and after a few days have all |
| tank filter. | | | | your beloved fish die from water pollution as well. |
| But first, let's introduce some basic information on | | | | Fortunately, this is the easy part. Almost all filter |
| fish tank filters. Below are the three categories of | | | | systems have specifications telling you the |
| aquarium filters with a brief description of each: | | | | appropriate tank size it is to be used on. So don't |
| Mechanical | | | | worry much about this part. |
| The most basic of all. These are usually in the | | | | The second, how much time you have for |
| form of sponges, pads or foams, or any material | | | | maintenance is worth mentioning because |
| that is used to trap debris from the fish tank | | | | different filter systems have different |
| water. Maintenance of these are key since any | | | | maintenance requirements. Some are very high |
| particle that gets trapped in the mechanical media | | | | maintenance while some are very low |
| will begin to break down and form ammonia thus | | | | maintenance. Understanding how to maintain and |
| leading to fish health problems. | | | | when to maintain your filters is crucial not only to |
| Chemical | | | | the lifespan of the filter itself but also of course |
| Although complex sounding, chemical filter | | | | your fish population. |
| mediums are easy once you get the hang of it. | | | | Lastly, what you also need to think through or |
| These are used in treating a variety of different | | | | really consider are your fishes. Are they fresh |
| problems associated with aquarium water. | | | | water or salt-water fishes, how big or small are |
| Chemical media filter is usually placed right after | | | | they, how big can they grow, how many will you |
| the mechanical medium and the most common | | | | have, how will water movement or circulation |
| type is activated carbon. Activated carbon has | | | | caused by the filter system affect them, how do |
| the special ability to adsorb dissolved organics and | | | | they breed, will you have actual living plants? |
| chemicals in the water, it also reduces odor and | | | | I hope this article hasn't discourage you from |
| water coloration. Aside from activated carbon | | | | enjoying this wonderful and very fulfilling hobby. |
| there are dozens of other chemicals used for | | | | The aim of this article is simply to inform and |
| emergencies or for removing and treating special | | | | educate first time owners (or wanna-be owners |
| cases. | | | | or even existing Fish Tank, that it is essential to |
| Biological | | | | learn the ins and outs of your aquarium filter |
| Once installed and running this biological aquarium | | | | system. This may seem like commonsense but |
| filter is a breeding ground for different types of | | | | from my experience there are a lot of aquarium |
| bacteria. But don't worry these aren't bacteria | | | | owners that have little to no clue on what type |
| that are meant to harm your fish, on the | | | | of filter system they have, let alone how to |
| contrary these bacteria break down the | | | | maintain it. And they wonder why their fishes |
| poisonous waste products (ammonia) your fish | | | | keep dying. |
| produce into less harmful nitrites, and gets broken | | | | Here's the bottom line, to know more about |
| down even further into even less harmful nitrates. | | | | aquarium filter systems check out my other |
| Now going back to the topic at hand, quite frankly | | | | articles that go into detail on each type of |
| there are only three major things to consider | | | | aquarium filter systems or you can also search |
| when it comes to choosing your aquarium filters: | | | | other resources here on the internet or you can |
| 1. The size of your fish tank | | | | also ask your local pet/fish store's sales clerk to |
| 2. How much time you have for maintenance | | | | teach you when you go out and decide to buy |
| 3. and of course your fishes | | | | one. |
| The first is obvious. You don't want to get the | | | | |