There are different fish tank filters but let’s focus on the basic filters. We already know that having a filter is crucial in your fish’s overall health and well being. If you do not have a filter installed in your tank, be ready to let go of your fish because there’s no chance that it can survive. The main 3 types of filters include biological, chemical and mechanical.
Biological filtration is the most significant if we’re talking about the removal of toxic wastes. It also helps in stabilizing your water conditions. Undergravel filter is considered to be in the biological filter family. It works by pulling down the water through a bed of gravel at the tank’s bottom and then it pulls the water up through the uplift tubes. Reverse flow undergravel filters work to pull water from the top of the aquarium and then it will push down the uplift tubes and up through the gravel. Most aquarists would agree that reverse flow filters work more efficiently because they take water from the top which has more oxygen. Another basic biological filter is the canister filter. It contains a basket or a canister inside and then you have to fill it with bio balls. Once the bacteria colony has been successfully established, you do not have to remove it or clean it.10 gallon fish tank with filter
Fish tank filters can also come in mechanical form. Mechanical filters are mainly used to remove particulate matters in the aquarium keeping it clear and free of unwanted debris. Undergravel filters also act as mechanical filters because they trap debris in the gravel. Diatomaceous earth filters come in canisters and what they do is remove particles as small as 3 microns in size. This helps in polishing the water more effectively. They are also used for the removal of bacteria and algae blooms however they have the tendency to clog even after just a short period of time. It’s not really advised to use them on a continuous basis.
The last basic type of fish tank filters or method is chemical filtration. The most obvious reason why you want a chemical filter is because it is important to remove things that are dissolved in the water. There’s no way that a mechanical filter can perform this job for you. Chemical filters are most beneficial in removing the yellow color that usually develops in fish tank water in the long run. The most common of the said type is activated carbon.