You can keep your aquarium clean without frequently changing the water in it. Special devices will help here - aquarium filters. The normal existence of fish, other inhabitants and plants will depend on the correct choice of an aquarium filter, and therefore before purchasing we advise you to study the main characteristics of filtering devices, selection criteria and the best models. How to choose an aquarium filter? We will talk about this below.
Aquarium filters - how to choose, type of filtration
What are aquarium filters for?
Aquarium filters come in different varieties, from budget to very expensive models. In order not to get confused in all this variety and choose the most suitable filter for your aquarium, you should know about popular types of devices, types of filtration, etc.
There are different types of aquarium filters
On a note ! The filter removes various contaminants by passing water through a layer (or several layers) of filter material. As a result, the water becomes clean, odorless and without small particles. But much more important are the processes occurring at the microscopic level and relating to the life of beneficial bacteria , which over time populate the surface of the filter material.
When organic waste (excrement, food debris, etc.) decomposes, water inevitably becomes contaminated with hazardous substances, and beneficial bacteria are responsible for processing them into safer ones. Thus, the aquarium filter helps maintain optimal living conditions for the inhabitants of the closed aquarium ecosystem.
Aquarium filters
Do-it-yourself biofilter for an aquarium
In terms of its functions, a homemade biofilter will not be inferior to analogues from well-known manufacturers, if you approach the manufacture responsibly and select the right materials. In general, there are several options for biological filters.
Bowl in a glass
The simplest materials available in every aquarist’s home are suitable for this filter. You will need a small plastic bottle, a PVC tube with a diameter matching the size of the neck, soil (fine pebbles up to 5 mm are best), padding polyester and a compressor.
The manufacturing process itself goes as follows:
- The bottle is cut (at the upper border of the label). The main thing is that the upper half passes into the lower half with difficulty;
- In the resulting bowl (half with a neck) we make about 10 holes with a diameter of 3-4 mm;
- We insert the tube into it. It is important that it fits tightly. If there is a gap, then you need to seal it with silicone glue. The tube itself should be slightly higher in height than the bottom half of the bottle, and it is important that it does not reach the bottom;
- Pour pebbles into the finished body in a layer of 5-6 cm and lay padding polyester on it;
- The hose from the compressor is placed in the tube and secured there;
- Actually, the filter is ready. We throw it into the water, turn on the compressor, and check its functionality.
This is an extremely simple and quite effective option. The air will pass through the tube and go up. The substrate will be saturated with oxygen, and water will flow through the holes to the bottom of the tube and then into the aquarium.
Bottle filter
In principle, this option is similar to the previous one, but it also has its own differences. This time you will need a 1.5 liter plastic bottle, substrate, foam rubber, clamps, compressor, hose and sprayer.
The assembly diagram is not particularly complicated:
- Using an awl, we make holes in the bottom of the bottle;
- Next, it is wrapped with foam rubber and tightened with clamps;
- Approximately half of this container is filled with substrate;
- We run the hose from the compressor along with the sprayer on top;
- We place the finished structure in the aquarium, turn it on, and check it.
The size of the bottle is not important, but you should select it based on the volume of the aquarium and the power of the compressor. The operating principle is extremely simple. Flow occurs due to oxygen. Air along with water is forced out through the neck of the bottle, and from below the liquid passes through the holes made.
Thus, colonies of bacteria will settle in the filler, which, due to the flow, will absorb harmful substances.
Types of filters according to the method of water passage through the filter material
Based on this parameter, filters are divided into two large groups:
- by means of an electric pump;
- using air bubbles that carry water with them and thereby draw it into the filter Internal filter.
Filters are divided into two large groups according to the method of water passage through the filter material
Electrical filters
They have many modifications. They are distinguished by high performance, a wide range of applications (there are models for all types of aquariums) and versatility (provide all types of filtration). They can be internal and external , but more on that later.
Electrical filters are divided into internal and external
Air filters
The most popular air filters are bottom and airlift. They are characterized by simplicity of design, affordable price and low energy consumption. However, such filters have modest performance and are therefore not suitable for large aquariums. Installed exclusively inside the aquarium.
Types of filters by installation method
As we just found out, electric filters can be installed both inside and outside the aquarium. External models, in turn, are divided into mounted and canister models.
Internal filters
The most popular devices that provide effective cleaning at an affordable price. Despite the fact that the most powerful models are designed for aquariums up to 500 liters, this is quite enough for most aquarists. Such filters are compact and almost do not reduce the volume of the aquarium. In large tanks they are used for additional filtration in tandem with external devices.
Internal filter
Note ! The principle of operation is based on the fact that the built-in pump creates a stream of water that is reflected from the walls and raises suspended particles. The latter, in turn, are absorbed by the filter.
The most effective internal filters are considered to be “glasses” (closed models). Their productivity is limited (no more than 200 liters), but their efficiency is quite high. There are also filter heads, air lifts, etc., but we will talk about them below.
Airlift options
External filters
They have high productivity, so they are installed in aquariums with a volume of 150-1500 liters. As you can guess from the name, such devices are installed outside. Using a hose, water from the aquarium is supplied to the external filter and, after passing through all layers of filler, returns back through the second tube. The advantages also include reliability, a full filtration cycle, ease of operation and durability. There are only two disadvantages - high noise level and size.
External aquarium filter
Features of use
Many aquarists do not always understand the installation and configuration process from the instructions, but it is necessary to study this, because the filtration of water in the aquarium must be uninterrupted.
Installation
The internal water purifier is installed on the tank wall using suction cups. The device must not touch the bottom. Hoses are attached to the device. One end is installed on the mechanism, and the other is brought out to supply oxygen. Next, the device connects to the network. The power of the water purifier is controlled using the damper.
The external water purifier is mounted on the outer wall. Further, the installation principle is the same as in the previous type.
Bottom water purifiers are installed underground. Before doing this, you need to drain the water.
Exploitation
Internal filters need to be replaced. Bio-debris from the tank accumulates in it. The frequency of change depends on the duration of use and the load on the device.
In chemical ones, the carbon needs to be replaced every few weeks. It is impossible to restore it at home, so new filler must be purchased at pet stores.
External cleaners also need to be cleaned every few weeks. The used material is not suitable for recycling, so it must be replaced with new one.
After a long period of operation, the mechanism must be cleaned of impurities and other harmful elements.
Types of filtering
All aquarium filters are divided into three types based on the method of water purification.
- Mechanical filtration . Debris is removed from the water by passing through a porous material that traps particles of a certain size. This material must be cleaned and replaced periodically (on average, every 14 days).
- Biological filtration . This method involves purifying water not only from suspended impurities, but also from hazardous chemicals. Colonies of beneficial bacteria form on the surface of the device, breaking down ammonia into harmless components. One of the filler options is porous ceramics.
- Chemical filtration . An effective way to remove solutes. Filters are filled with activated carbon , sometimes peat. Moreover, the first removes ammonia and odor, and the second is used for fish that need soft acidic water.
Filtration type and filling
Note ! Most modern models (not the cheapest) are capable of purifying water in several ways at once. We recommend giving preference to filters that use 3 filtration methods.
Selection criteria
Every owner, having purchased a fish tank, wants to install the best filter for the aquarium, but often beginners do not know how to choose the right purifier and which filter is best. In order not to be left wondering at the store counter which device to choose, there are selection criteria according to which aquarists select a cleaner.
By power
One of the main criteria for selecting a filter for an aquarium is the power and performance of the device - that is, how much water the device purifies in one hour of operation. This figure can be found on the purifier packaging upon purchase, but the indicated performance does not always correspond to reality. Therefore, tank owners use a little trick, purchasing devices that are a little more powerful, for example, it is better to take an external filter for a 100 liter aquarium with a capacity of 1000 liters per hour.
What types of aquarium filters are there?
Below are all the existing aquarium filters. They are arranged in a hierarchy: first - the cheapest and simplest, at the end - the most expensive and effective.
Sponge airlift filter
It is a plastic perforated tube on which a cartridge with a sponge (or several cartridges) is attached. The air supplied through the lower part rises and takes water with it, thereby forming draft. Water passes through the sponge and is cleared of various debris. The device provides biological and mechanical (to a lesser extent) filtration.
Sponge airlift filter
Bottom filter
The main purpose of the bottom filter is biological water purification. Inexpensive, easy to maintain, durable and discreetly designed device. However, this is not the best option for a novice aquarist: the filter material here is aquarium soil, and therefore it is necessary to correctly select its depth and particle size. Moreover, dense roots and decorations can block the passage of water, creating “dead zones.” In these zones, siltation will occur, accompanied by bubbles of hydrogen sulfide or methane.
Bottom filter
Internal filter cups
These are one of the most popular types of filters due to their excellent price/performance ratio. They perform both mechanical and biological filtration, come in a variety of sizes, and can be installed vertically or horizontally. The optimal choice for an amateur aquarium of small (up to 100 liters) and medium (up to 200–300 liters) sizes.
Internal filter cups
Mounted models
Suitable for tanks from 20 to 300 liters, capable of performing all three types of filtration. Easy to operate, cartridges with filter materials are located outside and are easily accessible for replacement or cleaning. The return of purified water occurs as a kind of waterfall, and not as a stream, like a filter cup, due to which the internal flow in the tank is minimized, which is useful when keeping certain types of fish that come from stagnant reservoirs such as Killie fish and labyrinth .
Mounted filters
On a note ! The main disadvantage of a mounted filter is that it must always be more than 2/3 filled, otherwise the water intake tube simply will not reach the liquid or will not submerge enough (read: performance and draft will decrease).
Irrigation (irrigation) filters
The main task of such filters is biological treatment, but manufacturers often equip them with auxiliary materials for mechanical and chemical cleaning. These devices are located outside; the design has several compartments, usually filled with special bio-balls, which are constantly irrigated with incoming water and thereby create the most comfortable conditions for the development of a colony of beneficial bacteria. They are bulky and specialized, and therefore are used mainly by professional aquarists . Breeder in commercial aquariums.
Irrigation or irrigated filters
External canister filter
Provide all 3 types of filtration and excellent water circulation, almost silent. They are presented in many modifications for both small (up to 50 liters) and very large aquariums (more than 1000 liters). The performance does not depend on the water level; they also work effectively in partially filled tanks and paludariums. Additional options can be added to the design, such as oxygen saturation , ultraviolet disinfection, water heating, and so on.
External canister filter
The canister filter is capable of combining almost all the necessary equipment of an aquarium, with the exception of the lighting system. However, the price is steep - this is a rather expensive type of filter, but the most effective and efficient.
What filter materials are used?
The sizes and shapes of the filter material can be different, and therefore attention should be paid to the substance of which it consists. The scope of its application will depend on the composition of the material. Let's take a look at the most popular options.
Table. Popular filter materials.
| Name of filler, photo | Brief description of the material |
| Calcium carbonate | Used in the form of coral sand, coral chips (crushed corals) or crushed limestone as a chemical to increase water hardness and increase or buffer the pH . |
| Zeolite | It is a naturally occurring ion exchange resin that neutralizes ammonia and is used primarily as a chemical filter material. It can also act mechanically and biologically. |
| Activated carbon | It is used as a means of removing certain medications (especially organic dyes, such as methylene blue ) and dissolved heavy metals from water. However, it does not remove the products of the nitrogen cycle - ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. |
| Sintered glass | Glass that has undergone a special treatment, resulting in it being extremely porous. This results in a very large surface area on which colonies of bacteria settle. |
| Ceramics | Many ceramic products, especially hollow tubes, can act as filter media for coarse filtration. They act as a mechanical and biological filter medium. |
| Peat | Typically used as a chemical medium to lower pH. May also act mechanically and biologically. Gives the water the color of tea. |
| Synthetic threads | Nylon yarn is often considered an old-fashioned solution these days, but it is still an inexpensive and highly effective filter material that allows for mechanical and biological filtration. |
| Gravel | Aquarium gravel of any type (not sand, which clogs too easily), properly rinsed before use, can be used for mechanical and biological filtration. It can also act as a chemically active filter medium. |
| Sponge | Cheap but very effective mechanical and biological filter material. Typically sold as cartridges included with certain filters. The sponge can be washed and reused many times. |
Choice of power and performance
When choosing an aquarium filter, you should consider its energy consumption . The best option is no more than 10 W. If the aquarium is large, you can purchase a model with a power of up to 16 W. Although, if you consider that the device consumes about 10 kW per month, there will be almost no difference.
Calculation of aquarium filter power
As for productivity , it will depend on the volume of the aquarium. It is important that the flow rate of water passing through the filter device is at least 3 times the volume of the tank. For example, if your aquarium is 200 liters, then the filter capacity should be at least 600 liters per hour.
Why is cleaning necessary?
In the wild, rivers are cleaned naturally using currents. For home tanks, artificial filtration of aquarium water is acceptable. The life of pets and algae depends on this element.
Some types of fish cannot tolerate dirty water, therefore, in addition to the natural purification of the liquid, an additional filtration system must be installed by snails and plants. This will also help introduce a large amount of oxygen into the aquarium. To purify water, devices of various capacities and sizes are used. Depends on the volume of the tank. With small dimensions, the action is carried out with the participation of filter bacteria. They carry out the process of nitrification - the decomposition of ammonia into non-toxic particles.
Aquarium filter manufacturers
When choosing a filter, pay attention to the manufacturer. Below are the best of them.
Review of aquarium filter manufacturers
Table. Popular manufacturers of aquarium filters.
| Name, photo | Short description |
| Aquael | It produces mainly internal filtering devices of medium capacity - up to 1000 l/h. The advantages of products of this brand are high efficiency, affordable price, reliability and tightness. |
| Jebo | Inexpensive filters. However, the quality often also leaves much to be desired. But the filters are easy to use and almost silent. |
| Tetra | The manufacturer's range includes models with a capacity of 400-2400 l/h. Filters are easy to maintain, operate almost silently, have an attractive appearance, and are sometimes equipped with a thermostat. Although they are not cheap. |
| JBL | Manufacturer from Germany. The design of most models is a canister divided into sections, connected with clips to the motor. The advantages include silent operation, tightness, and easy search for spare parts. |
| Fluval (Hagen) | This is a Canadian company, whose assortment includes models for 50-liter aquariums, and equipment designed for even 1.5 cubic meters. Almost always there are multi-stage filtration and 3 sections. |
| Eheim | Another German manufacturer offering good filters at an average price. A large assortment allows you to choose devices for almost any aquarium. |
Important ! We do not recommend buying filters from little-known Chinese brands. Not only because of the high probability of defects, but also because of poor quality assembly (in most cases). You can purchase such equipment only as a temporary replacement.
