| ium filters come in many shapes and sizes. Their | | | | of filters. |
| principles of filtering the media inside the aquarium are | | | | Even the maintenance of the three different kinds of |
| entirely different too, and so is their effectiveness. | | | | filters follows different rules. The following are some |
| Based on their principle of functioning, aquarium filters | | | | basic steps necessary in the maintenance of |
| can be classified into three main categories: | | | | aquarium filters: |
| 1. Mechanical Filters – These filters actually | | | | 1. Maintenance of mechanical filters – Since |
| allow the aquarium medium to pass through a pad or | | | | mechanical filters contain mechanical components such |
| a sponge that holds back the impurities within the | | | | as pads and sponges, physical cleaning is often |
| medium and allows clear liquid to pass through. | | | | required. Sponges have pores, and these pores can |
| 2. Chemical Filters – Chemical filters use the | | | | get clogged with impurities. Hence, it is necessary to |
| principle of adsorption to allow the pollutants in the | | | | take out these sponges and pads and to rinse them |
| aquarium medium to get adhered to them and then | | | | under flowing water at least once in seven days. But |
| eliminated. Generally, activated carbon black is used in | | | | that really will depend on the population of the tank |
| such aquarium filters. The benefit of chemical | | | | and how many impurities are produced in it. |
| aquarium filters is that they can remove not only the | | | | 2. Maintenance of chemical filters – Chemical |
| impurities within the aquarium, but also foul odors and | | | | filters use activated carbon black, which cannot |
| colors from within. Hence, the water that passes | | | | remain for a long time in its activated state. Hence, |
| through a chemical filter is much purer than that | | | | these filters will lose out on their effectiveness in |
| passing through a mechanical filter. | | | | some time. Generally, chemical filters need |
| 3. Biological Filters – As their name suggests, | | | | replacement of the activated carbon black every |
| biological filters use real live organisms and | | | | alternate month. |
| microorganisms to clean out the inside environment | | | | 3. Maintenance of biological filters – It is |
| of the aquarium tank. Biological filters might just refer | | | | difficult to clean biological filters because they are |
| to a bed of bacteria on the aquarium gravel. Bacteria | | | | microscopic living organisms. A careful rinsing method |
| are very useful in the aquarium to maintain the | | | | can be employed taking care that the bacterial |
| ammonium cycle, which helps in removing the nitrite | | | | growths remain intact. It is wiser to actually clean out |
| and nitrate impurities. | | | | the mechanical and chemical filters before handling |
| Most aquariums will have all three kinds of filters in | | | | the biological filters, because many a time, cleaning |
| them. The reason is that all the three filters focus on | | | | out the mechanical and chemical filters cleans out the |
| cleaning different aspects of the aquarium – | | | | biological filters too. |
| mechanical filters will mostly remove the particulate | | | | When you go shopping for an aquarium filter, you |
| pollutants within the tank; chemical filters will remove | | | | must keep the size of your tank in mind, and the |
| organic matter and colors and odors and the biological | | | | number of occupants in it. Also ask in the store what |
| filters will remove degradable matter and some | | | | special measures you will have to adopt to maintain |
| chemicals. Huge aquariums will require all three kinds | | | | the filters. |