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