Power Filter
Power Filter
What Type Of Fish Tank Filter Do You Need?
You need the right combination of biological, chemical, and mechanical filtration to keep your aquarium clean and healthy, and most of the filter set-ups you can buy combine more than one type of filtration. Here are the most common ones:
A "corner filter" is a box placed inside the tank and filled with filter floss or cartridges. A pump forces Water through, mechanically filtering out solid wastes, and bacteria can set up housekeeping in the medium to provide some biological filtration too.
A "canister filter" is a more powerful version of the corner filter. It can be placed inside, or hang outside or underneath the aquarium, and can handle really messy fish, but you do have to clean it very frequently. Like corner filters, you can get a good colony of bacteria to settle in this type too.
A "fluidized bed filter" pumps water through a mechanical and chemical filter, then through a tube full of sand which gives bacteria lots of places to grow. It works best with very oxygen-rich water.
A "power filter" hangs off the back of the aquarium, providing easy access for cleaning and changing the filter medium. It pulls water out of the tank to be pumped through chambers for mechanical and chemical filtration, and many are set up to provide ample space for bacterial colonies to set up biological filtration too.
A "sponge filter" is a tube filled with a spongy medium for bacteria to colonize. The sponge filters water mechanically while the bacteria do their biological bit. Some newer types use two sponges, so you can change one at a time, always leaving one active colony in the tank.
An "undergravel filter" or "UGF" is a plastic plate that you put in underneath your gravel, which lets water or air bubbles trickle slowly up through the gravel to aid bacteria in colonizing the gravel. This doesn't really do any mechanical filtering, and might have to be combined with another type of filter to remove solid wastes. This type also clogs frequently, and may need to be replaced after a couple of years of use.
A "wet-dry filter", or "trickle filter" helps to increase the surface area that can be colonized by good bacteria. It is usually made up of a dry plastic tube filled with a filter medium (floss, sponge, paper, etc.), and your tank water is drawn up to trickle down over the medium. This gives bacteria a much larger air to water surface, and thus more oxygen.
All you need to do is find the best combination of filters for your particular livestock, keep the oxygen flowing to keep your bacteria alive and functioning well, and keep the filters clean, and you'll have a lovely tank and happy fish.
About the Author
Together with Iszuddin Ismail, Mic Hudson is sharing his wealth of knowledge on saltwater and
freshwater tropical fish
tanks. You can start with a free ebook on decorating your fish tanks. Download Fish Tank Aquascape at http://www.PetFishGuide.info
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 Mars Fishcare North America Rena Filstar Canister Power Filter 265 Gallon 723  US $240.76
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 Fluval FX5 Aquarium Canister Power Filter A218 US $235.00
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 AquaClear 110 Power Filter 60 110g US $137.99
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 AquaClear 110 Hang On Power Filter 60 110 Gal A 620 US $120.09
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 Fluval 405 Canister Aquarium Power Filter 340 GPH A216 US $119.95
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 Brand New MARINELAND FILTRATION EMPEROR POWER FILTER Size 400 GPH US $119.65
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 Aqua Clear 110 Hang On Back Power Filter UL Listed US $109.49
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 AQUARIUM FISH TANK CANISTER POWER FILTER 9W UV 200 GALLON US $97.99
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 Marineland Aquarium Products Emperor Power Filter 400 Gph PF0400BD\PF0400B US $97.62
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 SAVE AQUARIUM FISH TANK CANISTER POWER FILTER 9W UV 200 GALLON 304B US $96.99
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 Supreme Danner Inc ASP01033 Skilter 400 Power Filter 400 Gph US $93.31
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 Hang On Aquarium Power Filter Aquarium Pharmaceuticals RENA SmartFilter 55 gal US $92.96
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 Hagen Fluval Power Filter C4 Between 40 and 70 gallons 14003 US $91.99
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 AquaClear 110 Aq Power Filter 70 to110 GalFREE SHIP US $89.99
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 AQUARIUM FISH TANK EXTERNAL CANISTER POWER FILTER 200 GAL HW 304 US $89.99
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 Casdade 300 Power Filter for 100 Gallon Fish Tank Water Filtering Aquarium NIB US $89.99
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 Fluval 305 Aquarium Power Canister Filter 260 GPH A211 US $89.95
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 Danner Supreme Skilter 400 Power Filter Protein Skim US $89.94
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 Booster Pump Power Reverse Osmosis Filter Aquatec 6800 RODI Water Filter Reef US $89.00
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 Aqua Clear 110 500gph Power Filter UL Hagen US $88.99
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 SAVE AQUARIUM FISH TANK EXTERNAL CANISTER POWER FILTER 200 GAL HW 304A US $87.99
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 Supreme Danner Inc ASP01031 Skilter 250 Power Filter 250 Gph US $87.66
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 AquaClear 70 Power Filter 40 70g US $87.39
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 AquaClear 70 Power Filter 40 70g US $87.39
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 AquaClear 110 Aquarium Power Filter for 60 to 110 Gallon US $84.87
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 Fluval C4 Hang On Tank Power Filter To 70 Gallons 14003 US $84.44
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External Power Filter
