Different Types of Aquarium Filtration Systems and Their Uses*
*GUEST POST
When we were kids, most of us had the fancy dream of having a goldfish as a pet one day. Our fascinations grew with us as we saw an aquarium for the first time in life, thinking, “I wish I had one of those.”
Eventually, some of us who were crazy about it took the extra mile and installed one in our homes. Then came the hard part, what do I do now? The answer to that would be to keep it clean and keep the fish ALIVE!
To achieve that end, our best opportunity lies with a filtration system.
Just one is enough to keep your precious fish tank clean and keep the livestock healthy & happy. But there are far too many options and equally less clarity. Relax, we’re here to help.
Aquarium Filter Guide
Your job doesn’t end after you have assembled an aquarium. Instead, it starts then because keeping your aquarium clean and its friendly inhabitants healthy and safe is going to be your lifetime duty from now.
Fortunately, the filtration system makes it easy for you. We will go through all necessary details of filtration, so with some enthusiasm from your side and a sprinkle of information from ours, getting the right filter will be as easy as eating cake.
Don’t believe us, why don’t you see for yourselves?
Is Using A Filter Important?
Frankly, the filtration system will make or break your aquarium, very little room for counterarguments there. It convincingly handles solid and chemical waste, keeps your aquarium clean from pollutants, toxic materials, and harmful particulates.
If you are really persistent, you can keep your fish alive if you work very hard to keep things from going awry. You need to change the water after every few days because decomposed food and excretions make the water toxic. The waste produces ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, making it harder for your fish to live.
So, you will need a few fish surrounded by a large stack of plants and constant water circulation. If you have no problem adapting yourself to a robust system like that, then it is good for you. For everyone else, a filter is a must.
Different Filtration Systems and Their Uses
From a technical standpoint, a filtration system is divided into three categories:
1. Biological Filtration
As the name suggests, this system uses biological organisms such as bacterial colonies to break ammonia into nitrites and, again converting them into less toxic nitrates. You probably know it as the nitrogen cycle.
The bacteria that are used in this process won’t cause any harm to your aquarium inhabitants, nothing to worry about. The beneficial bacteria will thrive if you have a rich supply of oxygen and a surface to stick on like rock or sand. Almost every aquarium needs one of these. Ceramic rings, bio balls etc are excellent biological filtration media that can be used inside your aquarium filter.
2. Chemical Filtration
In this type of system, various chemical additives are used in the aquarium to remove harmful chemicals. I know you are thinking that “there is no chemical in my Aquarium!” but that’s not true.
Chemicals aren’t just in your detergents or soap, which also shouldn’t be inside an aquarium, by the way. The culprit here is chlorine, chloramine or heavy metals that may come from the very water source you use.
But removing chemicals is just one of the gigs; it also removes pollutants and impurity to keep the water clean. Activated carbon is the most popular and common method used in chemical filtration.
3. Mechanical Filtration
When people hear filtration, this kind of system is what they imagine. A big machine, removing solid wastes from the water after straining it through a filter. It can remove-free flowing solids, uneaten foods, parasites, etc. and assist in the aeration of water.
But imagination and reality are different. Mechanical filtration isn’t a standalone machine that can keep an aquarium clean by itself as it cannot deal with chemicals or microorganisms. You also would need to replace the filter material frequently.
Some systems offer combined benefits of different filtration systems. So, it’s a good idea to take a breather and decide slowly.
The Right Filter For Your Aquarium
There are several types of filters in the market varying in size, shape, price, and expertise in performing the three types of filtration. So, it’s normal if you get a headache thinking about buying the right filter for your tank. Before you go and buy one, you need to know its strengths and weaknesses. Here is a brief rundown:
A. Internal Filters
- Oldest
- Inexpensive
- Suited for small aquariums
- Best for casual owners who don’t want to spend much
- Popular in fish breeding and treatment tanks
B. Canister filters
- Best for medium to large tanks
- Suitable for all 3 types of filtration system
- Can take heavy loads
- Excellent for saltwater tanks
- Could be too costly
C. Diatomic Filters
- Remove small particles
- Mostly used in special situations
- Removes small particles
- Makes the water finer
D. Fluidized Bed Filters
- Uses sand as a filter medium
- Great for bacterial colonies, so excellent for biological filtration
- Moderate mechanical filtration
E. Power Filter
- Most commonly used
- Able to perform all three kinds of filtration simultaneously
- Simple installation
- Easy maintenance
- Can be combined with bio-wheel or bio-balls for extra biological filtration
- Reasonable price
F. Sponge Filter
- Helps establish a bacterial colony
- Provides excellent mechanical filtration
- Cost friendly
G. Trickle Filter
- Exposes water to air as much as it can
- Enables beneficial bacterial colony growth
- Most popular in saltwater tanks
H. Under Gravel Filter
- Cheap
- Old school process
- No chemical filtration
- Limited biological filtration
- Easy to set up
- Gets clogged easily
- Cleaning and maintenance is a big hassle
It’s somewhat visible that different filters are providing additional services at various extents. Before making a decision, you need to be clear about what kind of aquarium you want and figure out other considerations; then according to the strengths and weaknesses, choose the right filter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Under gravel filters not good anymore?
Our suggestion would be to avoid the under gravel filter because it provides very few benefits. The incompatibility with the chemical and biological filters makes it undesirable. Also, cleaning and maintenance are a big hassle for under gravel filters.
What should I be buying instead?
You’d be better off choosing a filter that can do all three filtration procedures. That’s a better investment. Our top pick would be a canister filter. If your tank is a small one then go for an internal power filter with biological filtration media included.
Can you filter your fish tank too much?
It is possible to filter your fish tank too much; it is called Over-filtration. Over-filtration hampers biological filtration, so even with a top-quality filter, you’d get redundant results.
How often should I clean my filter?
Cleaning your filter every 2 to 4 weeks is a good idea. The frequency will depend on the bioload. A heavily stocked tank will require more frequent cleaning. The dirtier your aquarium gets, the harder it becomes on its inhabitants.
Should I keep the filter on at night?
Your tank will benefit from keeping the filter on at all times, whether it’s day or night. So, never turn off the filter except during the maintenance.
Conclusion
The technological advancements made it easy for us to maintain an aquarium. There are way too many options to choose from. Hopefully, we were able to push you in the right direction. You should have enough information now to make a sound judgment.
Take a deep breath, grab some coffee, and wear your sherlock hat. You have all the time in the world, try to get what is best for you.
Feature Image Credit: subinpumsom | Canva
About the Author
Hi, this is Anne Thynne. Not the famous marine biologist but I love the fact that we both share a common interest. I have been keeping fish in aquariums since my childhood. Back in 2007, I was introduced with the amazing world of aquascaping and reef keeping. It still fascinates me.
I’ve not owned a fish since primary school, with no real plans to again. However, this post had a lot of useful information for anyone who might be interested in their own aquarium. If I was to go that route myself, I’d definitely prefer to go the biological filtration route
It’s great that there are so many options available for people to consider now!
I have never owned a fish but I love aquariums and I have always been fascinated by them. Funny enough, I have always loved the idea of an in-house aquarium. I never knew anything about filters or the aquariums themselves. I just thought they were really cute haha. I never even knew there were chemicals in aquariums. This post opened my eyes to a lot and I think that all the types of filtration are necessary.
I LOVE the look of an in-house aquarium and would love to have a large aquarium in our living room someday. Right now, we travel too much to care for it properly. That being said, it’s on my list of things I’d like to do when the time comes that we settle down and stay home more!
I didn’t realise there were so many different types of aquarium filters available so this guide was really helpful. I also didn’t know that the filter has to run 24 / 7. Thanks for this.
Anne did a GREAT job in breaking everything down, didn’t she?
We had fish years ago but the filter wasn’t very good and ended up having to manually change the water so often. These filtration systems sound much improved!
They have come a LONG way in recent years!
There are so many options to consider but having an aquarium definitely sounds like more work than it seems! I’d absolutely love to have an aquarium at some point though. They’re beautiful!
They are SO beautiful! Unfortunately, a lot of people believe that it’s as easy as putting some fish and decorations in a tank, overlooking the importance of filtration, heating, etc. I would love to have a large aquarium in our living room someday, but we travel too much right now to care for it properly.
I love aquariums but mostly visit them. This article is well written with a lot of great info on how to build and maintain an aquarium. It also confirm that it is a lot of work but totally worth it if committed.
It is definitely more work than most people realize. However, if you are willing to put the time and effort into it, you can create and maintain a well-functioning aquarium that you can enjoy moving forward.
My mother had a small aquarium & a beta fish when I was a kid, but I didn’t realize there were so many different filters! This is such a helpful post if I decide to have my own aquarium!
The products available today have come leaps and bounds from when I was a child and had my first aquarium.
Wow, I never knew that so much went into choosing an aquarium filter. In fact, I didn’t even realize there were different types. Very interesting and insightful post.
There are so many different options!
The main reason that I’ve never owned an aquarium is because the filter system always seemed so complicated. I love how much I’ve learned from this post, and how each type of system is broken down to be easily understood. After reading this, I’m contemplating getting an aquarium because I’ve always enjoyed watching fish swim around. There is something calming about it.
Yes! I actually just said the same thing in response to another comment. I feel so relaxed when I’m watching fish making their way around an aquarium. I would love to have one again, but we travel too much right now to care for it properly. Someday in the future, I’ll make that happen!
ok now I want to get me some fishes. Aquarium are so facsinating!
They are so pretty! I love just sitting and watching fish as they make their way around their aquariums. It’s so relaxing.
I’ve never owned fish or had a fish tank. When I was a kid, on of my friends had a fish tank but it was grim. They never cleaned it and they went through fish like you wouldn’t believe. I guess they could have done with your post!
Rosie
It’s sad to see people bring fish into their house only to neglect them entirely. Often, it’s simply due to a lack of knowledge about what is actually required to take care of the tank properly.
I needed to read this, such great info! My son has nice little set up for his fish and everything was looking beautiful, until he rescued a little cat fish from the pet store lol. The filtration system he has apparently can’t handle “Whiskers”. (I didn’t know they were such dirty fish) We’ve been trying to research a better filtration system and this is exactly the info I needed! extremely helpful!
I’m glad that you came by this at the right time! It sounds like your son has a big heart.
We used to have an aquarium and my husband was amazed at how much there was to learn about filtration systems and such. This was a great way to break down the basics!
There is a misconception out there that aquariums and fish are easy to care for. However, there is a lot more to it than most people realize!
I remember I had a fish in high school and unfortunately that little goldfish did not live a long life. 🙁 I wish I had known about all the different types of filtration systems available. This was very informative and helpful. If I decided to get another pet (with fins) I’ll keep this as a great reference resource.
I’ll definitely look at this down the road when I consider adding an aquarium to our house. She had a MUCH better understanding of all of this than I did!
I can’t believe aquarium filters have gotten so complex! I loved the fish tanks I had when I was young. I had a fancy goldfish tank and an invertebrate salt water tank which had seahorses, my favorite aquatic animal, in it! Thanks for sharing this info
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
I have always loved seahorses, they are so pretty!
I had a goldfish when I was a kid and think aquariums are beautiful and this post is a real eye opener for those thinking of getting one for the first time but I am happy I have no space for one in my studio or I am sure i would have got one as the sound of the water and the fish is so relaxing.
I would LOVE to have an aquarium in our house, however, we travel too much right now to take care of it properly. That being said, when the day comes that we’re staying home more often, I will definitely look at adding one to our house.
Anne did a great job of informing readers – including me! I’ve always thought about getting fish, but know nothing about the gadgets and upkeep. Anne broke down my concerns and I feel like now I know what I’m looking at when I go look at fish and aquariums!
We’ve been looking at bringing an aquarium into our house, however, I will be honestly – I didn’t know much at all about the filtration options available before reading this. It has definitely helped me to make some well-informed choices!
I love aquariums. My daughter has a 55-gallon aquarium in her room, I love going in to watch the fish. We have a small goldfish pond in the yard that brings me a lot of joy. It is so important to have the right filtration system to keep everyone alive and thriving.
The right filtration system can make a world of difference!
That is a helpful break-down of what kinds of filtration systems are out there and what they do. I used to have a fish tank a long time ago. Back then, we had just one kind of everything, though 🙂 Now I stick to dogs.
It’s all dogs and cats in our house right now, but I would love to have a fish tank again someday when we’re not travelling as much.
I never knew there were so many types of filter! I had goldfish as a child and we had a filter but I don’t remember what type it was.
They have really come leaps and bounds with the options that are available.
If I ever get an aquarium I am referring to this post. Absolutely amazing and informative. I always wanted to understand aquariums a little better and obviously how to keep them clean. I knew basically nothing before reading your post Britt.
Anne did a great job of breaking it all down! There is a lot involved with maintaining a healthy aquarium, but it’s worth the work.