| A filter, along with a heater, is probably the most | | | | catch all the waste and bad bacteria. The filtered |
| important part of any fish tank set up. Without it the | | | | water is then pumped back to the top of the main |
| water in your fish tank will become much like a | | | | tank keeping a continuous flow going. This is a good |
| stagnant pond and little will be able to live in it except | | | | filter choice but it is on the pricey side and does |
| for a nice film of green algae scum. | | | | create quite a bit of background noise. |
| There are two main types of fish tank filters; | | | | An external filter is the best choice for any fish tank, |
| external and internal. Both of these types of filters | | | | if you can afford to use it. All the filtering is done |
| can be used in either fresh water or salt water | | | | outside the tank, keeping the filtered water separate |
| aquariums. | | | | from the unfiltered water until it is returned to the |
| When it comes to internal filters there are two basic | | | | tank. A couple of long hoses connect the filter to the |
| types. The first is the under gravel filter seen | | | | tank, one that supplies the filter and the other that |
| primarily in fresh water tanks. This consists of a | | | | returns the filtered water to the tank. This type of |
| raised plastic grate that sits on the bottom of the | | | | filter is the most effective but also the most |
| tank. The gravel or base material is placed over the | | | | expensive. |
| top and clear vertical tubes attach to holes in the | | | | You can purchase any of these types of filters at |
| filter. These tubes have either a power head sitting | | | | your local fish shop, but may have a harder time |
| on top or a bubbler inserted into them. The water is | | | | finding the more expensive external type at a |
| forced to flow through the gravel and back up the | | | | general pet store. The sump type filter will require a |
| tube into the tank. The gravel itself is the filter, | | | | tank that is either altered or custom made. If you |
| collecting the extra food and fish waste that is pulled | | | | are going to spend the extra money on this type of |
| down into it. | | | | set up it makes better sense to spend the money |
| The second internal type filter is more along the lines | | | | on a good quality external filter instead. An external |
| of a sump tank just below the main tank and is used | | | | fish tank filter will cost more up front but in the long |
| mainly for salt water tanks. There is an internal tube | | | | run you will save on maintenance costs and fish |
| that that allows water to flow down into the sump | | | | costs because you will be providing the best habitat |
| where it is pumped through a series of filters that | | | | they need to live long and healthy lives. |