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An aquarium filter is important to any aquariums, unless you want to do the weekly chore of cleaning your tank and replacing the water. It lifts off the weight of manually seeing through the rigorous maintenance of your aquarium, not to mention that it greatly improves its water quality. Most fish tanks require filters to maintain the upkeep and increase the health of the tank’s inhabitants.
This article will help you choose the top 5 aquarium filters with our in-depth review.
Top 5 Aquarium Filters At A Glance
What Is The Purpose Of An Aquarium Filter?
A filter plays a vital role to the aquarium. Its purpose is to clean the water of the aquarium off toxic elements that causes harmful buildup of ammonia and nitrates which may come from different sources. Your fish or other aquarium inhabitants such as turtles constantly excretes wastes as it goes around swimming your tank. Uneaten food, decaying organic matter, plant debris, and other external particles which contribute to the contamination and deterioration of the water quality, can then lead to negative effects on your tank’s occupants. These toxic elements can be removed by an aquarium filter which also aerates the water to help keep the tank’s environment healthy.
What Are The Types Of Filtration?
When choosing an aquarium filter, there are some terms that may come up in your search. Usually, you will hear about biological filtration, mechanical filtration, or chemical filtration. But what are these? There are three types of filtration method that are essential for the maintenance of a healthy aquarium, and these are:
- Biological filtration: – In this method of filtration, the nitrogen is managed by bacterial processes. Different types of bacteria convert the toxic chemical contaminants coming from uneaten food, fish excrements, and dead plants inside an aquarium into less toxic nutrients by oxidizing ammonia. These beneficial bacteria live on your aquarium. They can grow into large colonies in foam filter pads, bio-balls, and ceramic rings.
- Mechanical filtration – This type of filtration is the process involves the removal from the water of particulate material such as the toxic waste excrements of the aquarium inhabitants and decaying food. This can be done physically by hand or by installing a mechanical filter that forces the water through a media that sifts and traps these harmful particles. If you are using filter media, the maintenance process will require you to regularly replace or clean it.
- Chemical filtration – The chemical filtration works by removing toxic chemicals such as dissolved wastes as the water passes through a chemical media. The commonly used chemical filters are activated carbon and foam fractionation. The activated carbon attracts certain chemicals and remove them from the water. Using activated carbon typically requires monthly replacement.
What Are The Different Kinds Of Aquarium Filters?
There are numerous varieties of aquarium filters available to aquarium owners. It is important to note that an aquarium filter should be able to do the three types of filtration, and here are some examples:
- Canister filter – The canister filter works by pressurizing the water to enter the filter media inside it through an intake pipe. The return pipe then pumps back the clean water into the tank. This type of filter has a lot of strengths compared to other types of filtration. It offers flexibility and versatility when it comes to using different filter materials. It provides a high volume of filter material. It can be maintained regularly without disturbing the aquarium’s inhabitants.
- Power filter – This type of filter that is usually hanged at the back of an aquarium, is powered by an impeller that draws the water from the tank through a tube. It(1) pumps it into a series of different media or cartridge before being pumped back to the tank. Power filters usually require simple maintenance which makes them ideal for those who are just starting with their aquarium hobby.
- Internal filter – The internal filter is installed inside the aquarium and includes a sponge filter, a foam cartridge, or an undergravel filter. The filtration process is accomplished through an air pump which moves and releases water inside the filter.
- Undergravel filter – Undergravel filters make use of an absorbent plate that is placed underneath the substrate. It has multiple tubes that extend upward. Air stones are placed at the base of the tubes. Water is then drawn through the substrate and up through the tubes.
- Wet/dry filter – If you have a saltwater aquarium, then this type of filter is ideal for you. This type of filter is located either beneath the aquarium and uses an overflow device or on top of it which uses a water pump and draws water from a filter material.
Is an aquarium filter really necessary?
In conclusion, aquarium filters are essential. While there are certain types of fish and tanks that don’t require filters provided that water changes are done as often as possible and visible waste materials are physically collected, there are functions of a filter that are indispensable.
You will risk accelerated pollution growth in your tank and health deterioration of its inhabitants. There will always be uneaten food left after feeding your fish, waste excrements will always be released by the tank inhabitants, other debris will come in contact with the water. So, getting an aquarium filter is a time-saving way to maintain the water quality. It can also mean life-saving for your tank inhabitants since aquarium filters manage water movement and the nitrogen cycle efficiently as well as helps in producing clear water that makes you tank visually pleasant to look at.
Top 5 Aquarium Filters: Our Recommendation
Aquarium filters are common in the world of aquarium hobbyists. There are plenty of models and brands to choose from, each offering its own aquarium filter technologies. To help you in choosing the right one, we have narrowed the search down to the 5 top-rated aquarium filters.
Aquarium filters perform the important function of cleaning the water of any buildup of toxic elements. Neglecting this can cause deterioration of the water quality and eventually deterioration of the health of the tank’s inhabitants.
We have reviewed the top 5 aquarium filters, after checking their specs, features, design, and functionality, we choose the Marineland Emperor 400 Pro Series Bio-wheel Power Filter as the best among them. This filter comes out as the winner because of its smooth and efficient filtration capacity. It gives you optimal water quality. It’s maintenance process is also hassle-free and simple. How about you, which among these is the best aquarium filter for you?
If you have a turtle tank, and looking for a best filter for it, this article will help.
With more than 15 years of experience in aquarium sector, i’m totally passionate about creating Aquarist Guide blogspot. I enjoy sharing all of my knowledge to help you guys effectively build your own tank. I believe that when you find the easiest way to raise your lovely fish successfully throughout my blog, you will definitely fall in love with fish keeping more than a popular hobby.