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Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Best Filtration Method

This is a common question everyone will ask after looking through various comments or remarks from the internet source. Lets take a look at what various filtration methods there are and decide which is the best.

A combination of all three forms of filtration is the recommended to ensure that all aspects of water purification will be effectively carried out, leaving fresh, clear water for the fish to inhabit. Be aware, though, that as good as any filtration system is, it is not a substitute for regular water changes and will also need maintaining in its own right. Mechanical media will need to be rinsed or replaced about every month to prevent blockages, and biological media should be rinsed about every two months in tank water ( not tap water ) to remove any detritus. Chemical media are rarely used on their own, except for purifying water at the source ( such as filtering tapwater or rainwater ). Zeolite is sometimes used in bags when water is transported over long distances, but neither carbon nor Zeolite would make effective long term media for keeping fish if they used exclusively.

While you cannot over-filter aquarium water, you can under-filter it without necessarily noticing immediately. Water tests that indicated that ammonia or nitrite were present in the water for more than a few weeks would suggest inadequate biological media compared to the number of fish. The solution to this would be to opt for a larger filter or to double up and add another identical filter to the tank, perhaps the opposite end.

A good filter is one that both clears and breaks down water, but before you buy also consider factors such as ease of maintenance and service. The advantage of mass-produced, brand-leading filters is that lots of stores will stock spare filter media and all the other various parts, such as impellers, that are also needed for the aquarium.

When deciding which type of media is the best all round, prize must go to the humble sponge. Although is the cheapest option, its mechanical and biological filtering properties make it the only medium that can be used as effective method of filtration in the aquarium. When maintained properly, it can be very effective, even when used on very sensitive fish like Discus. So if budget has to come into the equation, an air-powered sponge filter or internal power filter will always be the BEST option.

Note: As good as any biological filter medium may be, when you purchase it, it will need several weeks before becoming fully colonized with bacteria and therefore effective.

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