| When it comes to setting up your fish tank, the filter | | | | filter is not recommended if you want live plants in |
| deserves major consideration, as it is the primary tool | | | | the aquarium, as the root systems will get |
| for maintaining good water quality in the tank. The | | | | intertwined and decrease the effectiveness of the |
| question that often arises is, "What is the best filter | | | | filter. |
| for a freshwater aquarium?" | | | | - Canister Filters - Canisters are among the most |
| The answer to that question depends on a number | | | | versatile, yet most expensive filtration systems |
| of factors including, but not limited to: | | | | available. They are very popular with saltwater tank |
| - Tank size | | | | keepers because of the extra filtration steps that |
| - Number and type of fish | | | | are sometimes required in a marine tank. Like the |
| - Live plants in the tank or not | | | | HOB filters, they are outside of the tank and |
| - Budget | | | | therefore don't take up any room inside of the |
| - Required maintenance | | | | aquarium. Once set up, a canister filter can often go |
| With that in mind, I will briefly describe the major | | | | months without servicing it. This type is a solid choice |
| types of aquarium filters with a few pros and cons | | | | for large aquariums. |
| about each. This should give a very good base of | | | | - Internal Power Filter - As the name states, these |
| knowledge to help with the decision of what type of | | | | filters go inside the tank, usually affixed to the side |
| filter to get. | | | | with suction cups. They are efficient filters and are |
| There may be some other obscure filters available, | | | | very good choices for tanks with low water levels |
| but the most common types on the market today | | | | like a turtle or biotope tank. These filters can push a |
| are the following: | | | | fair amount of water with their outflow, and this can |
| - Hang on Back (HOB) Filters - This is probably the | | | | be a pro or con depending on the type of fish in the |
| easiest filter to maintain, as it is not submerged in the | | | | tank. |
| tank and most come with an easily replaceable | | | | - Box or Sponge Filters - Many a fish hobbyist has |
| cartridge. This filter hangs off the edge of the tank | | | | started out with this filter. The simplicity and very |
| so it doesn't interfere with the tank's display. Prices | | | | low cost are keys to this filter's popularity. It is |
| vary, but this style of filter is in the middle of the | | | | powered simply by attaching an air pump, and the |
| range. | | | | box filter is best suited for small aquariums. It sits in |
| - Undergravel Filters - This type works well in small to | | | | the corner of the tank so it does take up some |
| mid size aquariums. The undergravel filter promotes | | | | internal space, and when it comes time to clean the |
| very good biological filtration and generally doesn't | | | | filter it can be a bit of a messy process. That said, |
| require a lot of maintenance. It can be quite a project | | | | the box filter is still a good, inexpensive choice for a |
| when it does need service, though. The undergravel | | | | 10 gallon aquarium. |