Do you know the Aquarium Filter Types?

Aquarium filters play a significant role in aquarium keeping. I present a brief and precise description of aquarium filter types that is valuable for newbies.

Why Aquarium Filters?

An aquarium is a live ecosystem that generates and collects several pollutants into the water daily. An aquarium filtration system helps to remove contaminants in water.

Fish waste (poops and pees) is a prominent pollutant in an active aquarium. Fish poops and pees contain toxic nitrogenous components such as un-ironized ammonia. Apart from it, some excess feeds and plant debris also pollute the water.

Aquarium Filtration Methods

Scientifically, there are three water filtration methods: biological, chemical, and mechanical.

The primary necessity of any filter is for water to circulate through the filter unit. Filtration is the processing as water passes through the filter media. There are various types of filter media inside the filter. Filter media is the parts or things inside the filter which can separate unwanted substances from water.

Commonly whole water in a fish tank should pass through filter media three times per hour.

Mechanical filtration

Mechanical filters catch and trap the solid or free-floating wastes. It is happening while the water goes through the mechanical filter media. Sand, gravel, sponges, filter pads, and wool are commonly used mechanical filter media. It consists of pores that can trap solid particles.

A filter sponge has three layers with three different pore diameters. The first layer traps large particles, and the second layer traps medium particles. Last to be struck are tiny particles. Gravel and sand can trap solid particles up to a satisfactory level.

Biological filtration

Biological filters convert harmful chemical components into harmless components. Beneficial microorganisms (bacteria) contribute as the filter material in biological filters. Beneficial bacteria utilize that toxic nitrogenous component as their energy source.

Nitrosomonas bacteria convert unionized ammonia (NH₃) into nitrites. Nitrobacter can change nitrite into nitrate, which is not harmful to fish. In science, we identify this process as a part of the nitrogen cycle.

Chemical filtration

Few chemicals extract dissolved components in the fish tank, majorly activated carbon. It is an efficient filtration method but very costly.

Aquarium Filter Types

Internal Filters and Outside Filters

There are two types of filters based on their location referring to the tank: internal or submerged filters and outside filters.

Internal Filters

We discuss the three leading internal aquarium filters which are commonly used.

Sponge Filters

Sponge filters are not expensive, and handling, cleaning, and maintaining them are easy—this filter’s filter media is a sponge. Filter bottom has made of heavy material. It is helpful to sink and be stable underwater. The sponge is a physical barrier to solid particles and traps those in its pores. Also, pores provide surface areas to beneficial bacteria.

Small and medium-sized fish tanks with a low fish density may benefit from a sponge filter. Sponge filters are not very effective; sometimes, water can be unclear. For better filtering, use two sponge filters. However, the sponge may clean every weekend due to clogging. Some water changes may require weekly.

Under gravel filter

Under gravel filter is a simple aquarium filter that is very cheap, consisting of a plastic mesh container and an uplift tube. We have to place the plastic mesh container bottom of the tank. Next, completely cover the surface area with gravel. An air stone needs to add the bottom of the uplift tube.

A Chemical filter cartridge, biological filter media, or a sponge can add to the inside of the plastic container. While pumping the air, water circulation is started through the gravels and directed to the uplift tube.
Wastes go through gravels and are stuck in filter media.

Under gravel filters are not used in ordinary due to some disadvantages. The efficiency of UGF is very low. Some large fish can spread the plastic plate’s gravel to disturb circulation. There must be gravel; no sand, fine gravel, or soil. For large tanks, it is not suggested.

Box filters / Corner filters

This aquarium filter is made as a plastic/acrylic box that consists of several separable chambers. We can fill the rooms using suitable filter media. Usually, the upper layers are filled with gravels, sponges, floss, or sands, and the last layer is filled with bio ball-like components that provide surface areas for bacterial growth. Even we can add a bit of activated charcoal also.

After filling the filter media, we have to assemble the filter and sink it properly. A pump should provide airflow. Then water circulation will start. We must assemble and sink the filter after the filter media has been filled. A pump should provide airflow. The water will then begin to circulate.

Outside filters

We discuss the main two filters which are located outside the tank.

Hang on back filters

Hang on back filters can hang on the outside walls of the fish tank as its name. Also, it identifies as the power filter. There are three sections inside the filter. We can add a considerably large sponge for mechanical filtration. A space for bio balls and activated charcoal as well. Water intakes from a tube to the filter using a pump attached to the filter. Then it goes through the filter media and spills out to the tank from another opening.

Hang on back filter is an efficient filter and the price is affordable. You can purchase it for around 30$. It makes a simple water spill with a pleasant sound. But it should always start manually by filling the water into it.

Canister filters

Canisters are the ideal filter for large-scale fish tanks. A typical canister filter has a large container. Inside it, three or four separable rooms/ spaces are available. Filter media can stock above rooms.

The important thing in the canisters is this gigantic space for filter media. Few sponge layers, bio-balls, ceramic balls and bars, and activated charcoal are used as filter media here.

A powerful motor has attached inside of the filter. Filter install under the fish tank. There is a suction button on the filter, and we must press it to start the circulation. Once we push it, water comes to the canister, and circulation is created.

It has good circulation speed with a high volume of water. You can easily keep the aquarium without changing the water for a few months. But canister filters are not cheap, also maintaining is more complicated than others.

Two types of waste are solid waste and dissolved waste. Some wastes freely float in the water; what can see through our eyes is called solid waste. Some wastes are dissolved in tank water 100% named as dissolved waste. Usually, NH3 is water dissolved. Then our filtration system should be able to remove both types of pollutants.

Wrapping Up: Aquarium Filter Types

Filters are essential to maintaining an aquarium. There are several aquarium filter types available. As a newbie, you should have an excellent idea about the filter types and their mechanisms. Some filters are inside and some are outside filters. Sponge files, under gravel filters and box filters are inside filters. Canisters and hang on back filters are outside. Your filter selection depends on several facts, including tank size, fish types and many more. Happy fish keeping!