Aquarium filter setups

The water diverts from the tank into the sump and then back into the tank. While in the sump, the water gets filtered. Sumps are effective filters, however, they require additional parts.

When money is not an issue, they are the best choice you can go for. They effectively clean the water to keep it fresh. A trickle filter is a great addition to your saltwater aquarium. The filters can be customizable to maintain the environment of your tank with additional equipment and a sump.

Though adding a trickle filter with a sump can be a lot of work, once it is all ready to go, it is practically self-sufficient. The trickle filter can be located below the tank in a cabinet. For biological filtration, it uses organic filter media including bio balls or floss. Water trickles over the media and creates an air-to-water surface which attracts debris to the media. The addition of chemical filtration media works to remove solid waste. Having a saltwater aquarium can be an amazing addition to your home.

It gives you the ability to own a variety of incredible fish and plant life. However, if you own a fish tank, it is vital you provide proper care to maintain it. One of the most important aspects of a saltwater aquarium is the filter system. A properly working filter system will help keep your tank clean and also create a healthy environment.

A filter system is not something you can skip out on and it is important you have a good one. Fortunately, there are many different filter systems you can choose from. They include chemical, biological and mechanical. Within those categories, there are other types as well, each that works to rid your aquarium of organic waste. No matter the filter you use, it is important that you properly install and maintain it.

This will ensure the saltwater aquarium filter system is working correctly to create a safe habitat for your fish and plant life. Some aquariums will even come with filters that are already set up in the tank, helping save you work.

As well beware of Fluvals as I personally have not found these to be the most reliable canister filters you can buy despite their marketing poor head pressure as well. Rather than a canister filter which many find frustrating consider a Fluidized Sand Bed Filter coupled to a power head.

Although not as well known, these filters can out perform the largest most expensive canister filter including some pricey Fluval models for aerobic bio filtration. As well, for high bio loads, the addition of Fluidized Filter to your canister filter or Power Head, Water Pump, Internal Filter can greatly increase your Bio capacity due to their unsurpassed bio-nitrification abilities!

Although Canister filters are popular with larger aquariums, it is certainly not a necessity for good filtration. For instance the AC has good bio capacity, but more flow by and poor mechanical filtration. Many fail to realize that Sponge filters can and do work in large aquariums and even ponds. In fact the Hydro Pond 2 can be easily used in a large aquarium and will out perform a Aqua Clear in bio capacity.

A Micron Style canister filter such as the Ocean Clear can work well in such an installation although these are poor bio filters and I do NOT recommend their use unless other filters with higher bio capacities are used in conjunction. This diagram shows how to simply add a canister filter via the bottom of an aquarium.

This can work for most any canister filter not just the Via Aqua pictured :. Drilled Canister Filter Application. I will also note that many larger aquarium owners will opt for some of these newer over priced filters such as the Fluval FX5, however I strongly recommend against this due to lack of redundancy and for being over priced for actual bio filtration. As noted earlier in this article, the Fluidized Sand Bed Aquarium Filter is an excellent addition to a canister filter or simply a power head water pump for added aerobic nitrification bio filtration.

The use of a Fluidized filter powered by either a canister filter or power head water pump will provide top notch aerobic bio filtration that is unbeaten by most any other filter, while at the same time perform this function in a way that does not remove the organic nutrients necessary for aquarium plants that many other filters may.

I personally have a 5 Watt Terminator UV Sterilizer on a 14 gallon tank, which was quite easy to install and when considers the cost of fish, treatments, and simple frustration; I think this is a worth investment. Unlike most submersible UVs sold for simple internal use or attachment to a smaller aquarium, this is a TRUE UV Sterilizer that perform important level 1 sterilization and aids in Redox balance unlike the majority that are nothing more than clarifiers with short lives.

Another benefit is this UV Sterilizer has a large Sponge Filter inside, so it also is reasonable quality filter too. When the water flows through the gravel, it delivers the necessary oxygen to allow beneficial bacteria to grow on the aquarium gravel, enhancing its biological filtration capabilities. In order to install an undergravel filter, lay the undergravel grid on the very bottom of the tank. This grid will provide an open chamber below the aquarium gravel. Next, connect the undergravel grid to an uplift tube.

When the water flows up the tube, this will force the water to flow through the aquarium gravel, into the open chamber. Lastly, in order to create the water to flow up the tube, use a powerhead or an airstone. Since the undergravel filter must be installed below the gravel, it must be installed in the very beginning when you setup your tank.

Otherwise, you will be required to completely overhaul your aquarium. Installation can also be difficult, if the undergravel filter does not fit your aquarium properly. Debris can collect in the undergravel grid.

While some of the debris can be siphoned out during water changes, this can be a difficult task. Even then, a good portion of the debris will always build up under the gravel. Unfortunately, if the undergravel grid becomes too clogged, the filter will become inefficient.

In addition, if you wish to completely remove all of the debris, the aquarium gravel will need to be removed as well. There is very limited potential for mechanical and chemical filtration. A well-functioning undergravel filter will be able to house lots of beneficial bacteria, and this is important for biological filtration. However, there are limited options for mechanical and chemical filtration.

Some undergravel filters will come equipped with space to add filter media in the uplift tube. However, these options are very limited.

While undergravel filters were popular at some point in the aquarium hobby, they are becoming less common today. The best aquarium filters available on the market is the Fluval canister filters. They are quite, capable, and versatile. If you own a large aquarium, the Fluval FX series is recommended. The Fluval FX4 is able to handle up to a gallon aquarium. The Fluval FX6 is able to handle up to a gallon aquarium. Both are known for its strength and durability.

One of the best feature of these models is the drain on the base of the unit. This allow you to perform water changes directly through the filter for efficiency. For aquariums under gallons, the Fluval 07 series is a great option. These models are quiet and efficient, so they are suitable for many home aquariums. It comes with a wide selection of filter media as well. Keep in mind that canister filters are usually more expensive than other types of filtration systems.

As a top of the line product, Fluval products will cost you much more than the average aquarium filter. If you are looking for a budget friendly option, we recommend a good power filter. One of the best aquarium power filter we know is the Marineland Emperor Pro filter.

These filters are capable and reliable. While power filters are sometimes a bit noisy, these models are designed for a quiet operation. In addition, these filters come with a bio-wheel that spin as the water flows through. This will allow additional surface area for the beneficial bacteria to grow and aid in biological filtration.

Aquarium filters should be cleaned every month, or as needed. If you have fish producing lots of waste, you may need to clean it more often.

On the other hand, if there is only a few small fish in the tank, there may be no need to clean it. The important thing is to check the filter regularly to make sure that it is functioning properly. If the filter media becomes too clogged, it will become inefficient. Simply rinse the filter in old tank water. Avoid rinsing in tap water since the chlorine can kill the beneficial bacteria on the filter. Aquarium filters should be changed every month, or as needed.

If there is lots of debris caught in the filters, simply rinse it in old tank water in a separate bucket to remove the large particles. If the filter is clogged, give it a light squeeze.

If the filter is still clogged after it is cleaned, it is time to change the filter media. The mechanical filtration, such as the filter floss, can be changed relatively frequently. However, the biological filtration should not be changed if unless it is absolutely necessary. Some biological filtration media, such as the bio balls, are designed to never require replacement. If the biological filtration media is replaced, it should not be replaced at the same time the mechanical filtration media is replaced.

Change the filter media gradually, in order to allow some time for the bacteria to grow on the new media. This will cause less stress on tank. An aquarium filter should be running 24 hours a day, even at night. The filtration system in an aquarium is not only responsible for keeping the water clear. In fact, they are responsible for creating the necessary water flow as well, which helps deliver oxygen throughout the tank.

The oxygen is important for the fish and the beneficial bacteria in the tank. If the filter is turned off, and the aerated water is no longer delivered to the filters and gravel layer of the aquarium, beneficial bacteria will start to suffer. Even if the filter is turned off for only a few hours, beneficial bacteria can start to die off. Without the beneficial bacteria, ammonia levels in your aquarium can spike up, ultimately harming the fish.

If there is a dirt or a clog in your aquarium filter, it could be making a grinding noise. If a clog is suspected, turn off the filter and remove the debris that is stuck. If too much water flow is causing a splashing noise, the flow rate may need to be adjusted.

The flow direction or angle may need to be adjusted as well. If the output is above the water level, it may create a waterfall effect. This will create a splashing noise. Making sure that the output is under the water level may solve your issues. You may be able to dampen the noise with a baffle as well.

If the impeller is getting stuck, try using a non-toxic lubricant, such as Vaseline. Use just a little lubricant to coat the shaft of the impeller. Air pumps can be noisy, if it is vibrating against a hard surface. Consider placing the pump on a surface that will absorb the vibrations, such as a rubber mat. Most filtration systems operate with a certain level of noise. However, there are some products that are manufactured to produce less noise than others. Air pumps are known to operate with a humming noise, as it vibrates.

Especially when the flow rate is maximized, the noise can increase significantly. Luckily, there are air pumps that operate very quietly. The quietest air pump we know is the Eheim Air This air pump is designed for a very quiet operation. Power filters also operate with a certain level of noise.