| In a way, your aquarium is a simulated | | | | integrated with filters. External pumps are placed |
| ecosystem-- to maintain it, you must recreate | | | | outside the tank and a small hose connects to the |
| what the natural environment does to keep fish | | | | aquarium, delivering pressure to the water. These |
| alive and healthy. Supplying oxygen to the fish is | | | | are usually used for small tanks that have limited |
| one of the two most important things in | | | | space inside the aquarium. |
| recreating the ecosystem, and constant flowing | | | | Size and turnover rate |
| water is the other. To simulate the effect of | | | | The size of the aquarium usually determines how |
| flowing water, aquarium pumps are needed. | | | | powerful the pumps should be. Powerful pumps |
| A good aquarium pump keeps the water flowing, | | | | can generate a lot of heat and can raise the |
| which is important for the air inside the tank to | | | | water's temperature to unsafe levels. This is why |
| circulate and to allow the water to flow to the | | | | you should fit your tank for the right size of |
| filter and remove contaminants. | | | | pump. Naturally, larger aquariums will require more |
| The two types of pumps | | | | powerful pumps. Some may even require two |
| Aquarium pumps can be either internal or external. | | | | pumps in one aquarium. For constant supplies of |
| Internal or submersible pumps - as the name | | | | clean water and air, pumps with a high turnover |
| suggests - are mounted inside the tank and | | | | rate are desired. Closed aquariums generally need |
| encased with water-resistant materials. They are | | | | higher turnover rates than open aquariums. |
| usually placed close to the ceiling and can also be | | | | |