| Choosing the between all the various salt | | | | |
| water fish tank filtration systems can be | | | | Types of Mechanical Filters |
| confusing to say the least. But, before you | | | | |
| choose your specific system, there are a few | | | | For years, the corner filter has been the |
| points you must know no matter which system | | | | least expensive and most used type of salt |
| you choose. Keep in mind filtration is a very | | | | water fish tank filtration systems. These |
| important part of your tank, so don't rush | | | | clear plastic boxes sit inside the tank. An |
| through this step. | | | | air stone bubbles air through an airlift |
| | | | tube, which forces water through a bed of |
| In natural habitats, the fish have an ample | | | | filter floss mechanically filtering the |
| areas in which to live. In your tank, they | | | | water. |
| are confined to a relatively small quantity | | | | |
| of water. In your tank, waste products can | | | | Today there are better methods,that don't |
| quickly build up and spell disaster. That's | | | | take up space, look nicer, and perform well. |
| where the filter comes in. | | | | |
| | | | Power filters are used by many. You'll find |
| Four factors have a huge impact on the | | | | many styles of power filters. The most common |
| success of your tank, and your filtration | | | | hangs on the back of the tank. A siphon tube |
| system. You must have an adequate biological | | | | pulls water from the tank into the filter box |
| base, the appropriate choice of animals, not | | | | and passes the water though a mechanical |
| over-populate, and don't over feed. Get one | | | | filter. An internal pump returns the filtered |
| of these factors wrong, and you most likely | | | | water into the aquarium. Power filters come |
| will have problems with your saltwater tank. | | | | in many sizes suited for small to large |
| | | | aquariums |
| Biological filtration is the most important | | | | |
| sector of salt water fish tank filter | | | | Under-gravel filters work by slowly passing |
| systems. The biological filters are living | | | | water through the gravel on the bottom, which |
| organisms within your tank. They consume | | | | sits on top of a perforated plate. The water |
| oxygen and waste material within your tank. | | | | pumped with an airlift, with bubbles air |
| It's not something you can add. They will | | | | lifting the water in a vertical tube attached |
| occur naturally within your saltwater fish | | | | to the filter plate. One problem is that the |
| tank. | | | | gravel clogs up with waste creating a health |
| | | | risk for your fish. |
| Mechanical Filtration | | | | |
| | | | Sponge filters are an efficient,cheap form of |
| The second type of filtration for your tank | | | | biological filtration. Water is forced |
| is mechanical filtration. This is where you | | | | through porous foam by air bubbling through |
| choose the type of salt water filter system | | | | an airlift tube. Water flowing though the |
| you will use in your new tank. | | | | sponge allows the growth of a colony of |
| | | | beneficial bacteria that neutralizes toxic |
| Mechanical filtration strains the solid | | | | ammonia. |
| particles from your tank water. It will not | | | | |
| remove solids trapped by gravel, or other | | | | Chemical Filtration |
| items within your tank. A good mechanical | | | | |
| filter traps enough solids to keep your water | | | | Chemical filtration removes dissolved wastes |
| clear, without becoming clogged frequently. | | | | from aquarium water. The most popular |
| | | | chemical filtration is the carbon filter |
| Smaller openings catch finer particles and | | | | method. Your water is filtered through gas |
| are cloggedfaster than a larger opening. | | | | activated carbon. The best GAC for filtering |
| Keep this in mind as you choose your | | | | water is made from coal and ismacro-porous |
| mechanical filtration system. | | | | (larger pores). |