| An Aquarium filter is a required device for both | | | | one of the more regularly used styles of fish tank |
| freshwater and marine aquaria, and are very | | | | filters due to its large area for biological filtration. |
| important for maintaining high water quality in | | | | Under gravel filters are comprised of a porous |
| your fish tank. Aquarium Filters can be either | | | | plate which is placed an inch or two under the |
| internal or external to the aquarium, external | | | | gravel substrate with one or more uplift tubes |
| filters are sometimes called HOB's or hang on | | | | and an aerator. The UGF is a type of biological |
| back. A filter will process fish waste, unconsumed | | | | filter that draws the water through the substrate |
| food and other particulates, some filters can even | | | | material and then returns it at the top of the |
| filter down to the micron level. Filters are available | | | | tank. |
| in a wide variety of sizes and styles to work with | | | | The only drawbacks to this type of filter is that |
| any type or size aquarium you choose. Below are | | | | the fish waste tends to get pulled down into the |
| some of the most common filter styles used | | | | gravel which requires regular vacuuming and live |
| today. | | | | plants do not grow well planted over a UGF. |
| Power Filters | | | | Under gravel filters are sometimes paired with a |
| Power filters are the most common and popular | | | | power filter to provide extra filtration for the |
| filter for most aquarium enthusiasts. They are | | | | aquarium. |
| easy to set up, require very little maintenance | | | | Canister Filters |
| and are inexpensive which makes them a good | | | | One of the best filtration choices for any |
| choice for the new hobbyist. Many times power | | | | aquarium set up is a Canister Filter. Canister filters |
| filters are used together with an under gravel | | | | contain an internal pump connected to a sealed |
| filter for increased water purity. | | | | container where waste from the water is trapped |
| The filter works by drawing the water through | | | | for removal. A canister filter is an ideal choice for |
| the filter media under slight pressure and forcing it | | | | filtering large aquariums that contain many fish, or |
| back into the tank. An aerator is not usually | | | | fish that create a lot of waste like large tropical |
| needed when using a power filter since it provides | | | | fish or goldfish. Canister filters don't provide much |
| enough water movement during filtration to keep | | | | aeration so bubble stones are recommended to |
| the tank oxygenated. | | | | help bring oxygen into the tank. Canister filters |
| Sponge Filters | | | | are great but are usually more expensive than |
| Sponge filters are most commonly used in | | | | ordinary hang on tank type filters. |
| breeding tanks to keep small fish from entering | | | | Diatom Filters |
| the filter and are appropriate only for very small | | | | Diatom filters are primarily used for occasional |
| aquariums. Sponge filters use an internal form of | | | | cleaning of tanks, and are not constantly |
| biological filtration to keep the aquarium water | | | | connected to the aquarium. Diatom Filters are |
| clean and safe for your tropical fish. Aerobic | | | | extremely efficient and are designed to |
| bacteria will grow on the filter's sponge helping to | | | | mechanically filter out the smallest of particles all |
| facilitate the tanks nitrogen cycle. Extra care | | | | the way down into the 1 micron size range. |
| should be used when cleaning a sponge filter so as | | | | Aquarium diatom filters also help with "sick tanks" |
| not to wash away the nitrifying bacteria. | | | | encouraging quicker fish healing by removing |
| Under Gravel Filters | | | | organics and other parasites. They are also |
| Under gravel filters, also referred to as UGF are | | | | excellent for removing algae blooms and clean |
| another popular type of aquarium filter that you | | | | your tanks water to an incredibly pure state. |
| can use for your fish tank. Under gravel filters are | | | | |