An Aquarium filter, what and why !

So why do we need an Aquarium filter and what type of filter is on the Market.

The purpose of the filter on your aquarium is to remove excess food, decaying organic matter, dangerous chemicals, and the fish waste from the water

The fish excrete waste constantly as they swim around in the water. If this waste is not removed, the toxins that the fish are removing from their systems will rapidly build up to high enough concentrations that the fish will poison themselves, Ammonia will be the first issue which will rise to a level the fish will get poisoned, if the fish are still managing to survive their next battle will come from Nitrite levels and nitrate levels then the lack of oxygen.

Basis are if you want to keep fish alive a filter is a must have no matter hwat size of tank your keeping, even if it's 1 fish in a bowl !

Filtration Methods:

Theres 3 types of filteration Biological, Mechanical and Chemical

• Biological Filtration:Biological filtration involves bacteria converting your fishes' waste into less toxic substances. Your fish excrete waste into their aquarium water constantly as they make use of the food they eat. A biological filter will convert toxic ammonia (from your fishes' waste, excess food, decaying or dying plant mater, and dead fish) into Nitrite, and toxic Nitrite into Nitrate. Nitrate is relatively harmless, however, if it is not removed from the tank through regular water changes, Nitrate can cause fish helath issues, as well as suppress their appetite and prevent their gills from absorbing oxygen from the water. Nitrate will also contribute to algae growth. Biological filtration occurs as the water passes over any surface that the bacteria processing the waste can grow on.
  Biological filtration is established during a process called "cycling". Even the highest quality biological filters cannot process fish waste until they have properly cycled.

• Mechanical Filtration:
  Mechanical filtration,  is provided by pushing the water through some form of filter media that acts as a strainer. This strainer will catch free-floating particles that cannot pass through the openings in the media. The media can be a sponge, filter floss, special filter pads, or even aquarium gravel.
  The quality of the mechanical filtration will depend on several things.
  The finer the media, the smaller particles can be caught. However, finer media gets clogged much more quickly and either needs to be rinsed out or replaced often. Coarser media will allow more particles through, but will take longer to get plugged up. Many mechanical filters will use several layers of media, starting with coarse and ending with a fine media to provide optimal water cleaning.
  Second, how much water is passed through the media? The longer it takes for the water to all go through the filter, the more time debris has to collect in the water or settle out, and the cloudier or murkier the water can become and the more debris will settle to the bottom of the tank.
  Third, how often do you clean your filter? A mechanical filter will provide better filtration if it is cleaned frequently and appropriately. The messier your tank is, the more you need mechanical filtration, however, the messier your tank is, the sooner your mechanical filter will become clogged. Some kinds of fish make a tank messier either by behavior (such as digging) or through their eating habits. Also, failure to provide sufficient water changes, over feeding, and other tank care issues will reduce the quality of your mechanical filtration.
  
• Chemical Filtration:
  Chemical filtration is provided by carbon or chemical resins that extract toxins from the water. Activated filter carbon will aggressively remove chemicals from your water until the carbon becomes saturated. It is very important that any activated filter carbon in your filtration system be changed often.
  Typically, about 1 cubic inch of activated filter carbon can provide chemical filtration of 2 gallons of water for up to a month.

It's important that even though you have an aquarium filter, you must still stick to the guidelines of water changes, stocking level, filter cleaning and general aquarium maintenenace.

Aquarium filters come in all types of shapes and sizes from small internal filters to external filters. Although not one is better than the other is more important to choose the one thats correct for your set up.
If your thinking of buying a filter always make sure your not buying a filter that is only just suitable for your set up. eg if you have a 100l aquarium dont buy a filter that is suitable for aquariums from 50l to 100l, instead look at an aquarium filter that gives you that little bit extra. Our advice is to look at a filter range of around 100l to 150l.

If your building a Marine tank then filteration is very important and space to add diffrent types of filteration eg Protein skimmers, UV clarifiers etc. If space is available then having a sump filter is the best type of Marine filter allowing you lots more options to choose what type of filteration is best for you and your setup.

If your wanting more advice on aquariums and filters then why not check out the OATA website.

Good luck and Happy fishkeeping

Holiday Aquatics
www.holidayaquatics.com