Why do you need a Filter

Having an aquarium is quite a responsibility as, unlike other pets, fish cannot be taken to the vet. So to keep them healthy, you need to maintain a clean and clear tank of water. Changing the water every single day is not an option as many essential bacteria also get washed away. So an aquarium filter is the best thing to buy.

The filter, as the name suggests, cleans up the water – a process that is extremely vital considering the small quantity of water they have to live in. Fish in open water bodies have a lot of water that dilutes their waste and other debris, something that doesn’t happen in the limited space of an aquarium.

Fish feces, ammonia from their gills and left-over food, all are major causes of dirty fish tank water. The food and waste ends up decaying, if not taken care off, and releases ammonia, which can be extremely fatal to your fish. The bigger your population of fish, the more care you need to take. Hence getting an aquarium filter into the scenario helps clean up the waste and maintaining a healthy environment.

How do you install an Aquarium Filter

Installing an aquarium filter is quite simple depending on the type of filter that has to be put in. Most filters require minimal, assembly, if any. As a result, they are quite easy to put together and are almost plug-and-play. Now, depending on the type of filter chosen, the installation process within the tank varies.

Gravel filters need to be added into the tank first, before anything else goes in. This usually means that if the tank is already made up, it will have to be broken down to put the filter in place. After placing the filter, a layer of gravel, 1 – 2 inch deep, is laid out on top of it. Air stones are slid down the riser tubes and the filter is ready for use.

Canister filters are much simpler to install. Place them under or alongside your tank or simply hang them on the side of the tank’s wall provided they are small enough. Place the inlet pipe submerged at about mid-level within the tank while the outlet can be placed above the level of the water. Plug it in and the canister filter should be good to go.

Hang-on filters are also as simple to install and use. Just hang them off the side wall of the tank, submerge the inlet pipe and keep the outlet outside the water. All you need to do now is plug it in.

How does the Fish Tank Filter Work?

Depending on the type of filter being used – mechanical, biological or chemical; the filtration process differs although the primary principle remains the same.

Biological filters employ helpful bacteria in the purifying process. There are two main types of bacteria – the first breaks ammonia down to less harmful nitrates while the second type breaks down these less harmful nitrates into lesser-harmful nitrates. Plants placed within the aquarium can turn these lesser-toxic nitrates into fertilizer and thus purify the tank entirely.

Mechanical filters are quite simple in comparison in terms of functionality. They simply take in water and trap large debris or suspended particles in their filtration method, which can anything like sponge or ceramic rings. These filters tend to get jammed as more and more debris is trapped and need periodic servicing.

Chemical filters use active carbon to remove traces of heavy metals and medications from the water. The active carbon is placed within the body of the filter in the form of wadding, sheets or simply balls.

Ultraviolet filtration is rather uncommon and is mainly used to remove water-borne pathogens. Water is passed through a filtration device where it is exposed to high intensity UV light.

The concepts behind each form of filtration is quite simple although, it may seem that one single technique is not enough on its own to handle all the various forms of impurities in a fish tank but it does enough to stress on the importance of a proper filtration system in a fish tank.