| An Aquarium filter is a required device for both | | | | use for your fish tank. Under gravel filters are one of |
| freshwater and marine aquaria, and are very | | | | the more regularly used styles of fish tank filters due |
| important for maintaining high water quality in your | | | | to its large area for biological filtration. |
| fish tank. Aquarium Filters can be either internal or | | | | Under gravel filters are comprised of a porous plate |
| external to the aquarium, external filters are | | | | which is placed an inch or two under the gravel |
| sometimes called HOB's or hang on back. A filter will | | | | substrate with one or more uplift tubes and an |
| process fish waste, unconsumed food and other | | | | aerator. The UGF is a type of biological filter that |
| particulates, some filters can even filter down to the | | | | draws the water through the substrate material and |
| micron level. Filters are available in a wide variety of | | | | then returns it at the top of the tank. |
| sizes and styles to work with any type or size | | | | The only drawbacks to this type of filter is that the |
| aquarium you choose. Below are some of the most | | | | fish waste tends to get pulled down into the gravel |
| common filter styles used today. | | | | which requires regular vacuuming and live plants do |
| Power Filters | | | | not grow well planted over a UGF. Under gravel filters |
| Power filters are the most common and popular filter | | | | are sometimes paired with a power filter to provide |
| for most aquarium enthusiasts. | | | | extra filtration for the aquarium. |
| They are easy to set up, require very little | | | | Canister Filters |
| maintenance and are inexpensive which makes them | | | | One of the best filtration choices for any aquarium |
| a good choice for the new hobbyist. Many times | | | | set up is a Canister Filter. Canister filters contain an |
| power filters are used together with an under gravel | | | | internal pump connected to a sealed container where |
| filter for increased water purity. | | | | waste from the water is trapped for removal. A |
| The filter works by drawing the water through the | | | | canister filter is an ideal choice for filtering large |
| filter media under slight pressure and forcing it back | | | | aquariums that contain many fish, or fish that create |
| into the tank. An aerator is not usually needed when | | | | a lot of waste like large tropical fish or goldfish. |
| using a power filter since it provides enough water | | | | Canister filters don't provide much aeration so bubble |
| movement during filtration to keep the tank | | | | stones are recommended to help bring oxygen into |
| oxygenated. | | | | the tank. Canister filters are great but are usually |
| Sponge Filters | | | | more expensive than ordinary hang on tank type |
| Sponge filters are most commonly used in breeding | | | | filters. |
| tanks to keep small fish from entering the filter and | | | | Diatom Filters |
| are appropriate only for very small aquariums. Sponge | | | | Diatom filters are primarily used for occasional |
| filters use an internal form of biological filtration to | | | | cleaning of tanks, and are not constantly connected |
| keep the aquarium water clean and safe for your | | | | to the aquarium. Diatom Filters are extremely |
| tropical fish. Aerobic bacteria will grow on the filter's | | | | efficient and are designed to mechanically filter out |
| sponge helping to facilitate the tanks nitrogen cycle. | | | | the smallest of particles all the way down into the 1 |
| Extra care should be used when cleaning a sponge | | | | micron size range. Aquarium diatom filters also help |
| filter so as not to wash away the nitrifying bacteria. | | | | with "sick tanks" encouraging quicker fish healing by |
| Under Gravel Filters | | | | removing organics and other parasites. They are also |
| Under gravel filters, also referred to as UGF are | | | | excellent for removing algae blooms and clean your |
| another popular type of aquarium filter that you can | | | | tanks water to an incredibly pure state. |