Part 4 of 11 How to Choose the Right Aquarium Filter
Choosing the perfect aquarium filter is essential for maintaining a healthy environment for your aquatic friends. With so many filter types available, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is best for your tank. In this blog post, we’ll break down how to select the right filter based on your tank size, fish species, and the different options available for both saltwater and freshwater aquariums. The filter is one of the most important things of your aquarium. Choosing the wrong filter can affect your success negatively. If you have questions or concerns be sure to contact Aquatic Utopia today for a consultation. The right planning early on can pave the way for success into the future!
Understanding Filter Types
A good filter must have three types of filtration designed into it. These are mechanical, i.e. sponges, floss or cartridges that take out suspended debris. Next is chemical filtration such as carbon to remove organics and leave crystal clear water or zeolite to remove ammonia. The most critical is biological. Biological filtration allows for the nitrifying bacteria you learned about in part 1 to grow and naturally detoxify the water. There are three primary filter types that should have all three kinds of filtration designed into it to consider: Hang On Back (HOB) filters, canister filters, and sump filtration systems. Good filters have three types designed into one cohesive unit. Some budget options lack important features and will typically are limited in how effective they are. Each has its own set of advantages and is suitable for different aquarium setups. Let's dive into the different filtration.
1. Hang On Back (HOB) Filters
HOB filters are popular for their ease of use and affordability. As the name suggests, they hang on the back of the aquarium and use a pump to draw water through various filter media.
Mechanical Filtration: HOB filters usually have a sponge or floss that captures debris and particles. These are typically cartridges that slide into the filter and are disposed of when dirty.
Biological Filtration: They often include bio-media (like ceramic rings) where beneficial bacteria can thrive, breaking down harmful ammonia and nitrites.
Chemical Filtration: Some HOB filters include activated carbon or other chemical media to remove impurities and toxins. The carbon is typically sealed inside the cartridge by floss surrounding the cartridge.
Advantages: Easy installation, affordable, and great for beginners.
Best for: Small to medium-sized aquariums, freshwater and saltwater tanks with moderate bio-load.
2. Canister Filters
Canister filters are powerful and versatile, making them suitable for larger aquariums. They sit outside the tank and use a series of tubes to draw water through different types of filter media housed in a canister.
Mechanical Filtration: Canister filters usually contain multiple layers of mechanical media, such as sponges or floss, to trap debris and particles.
Biological Filtration: They provide ample space for bio-media like ceramic rings, supporting a large colony of beneficial bacteria.
Chemical Filtration: Canister filters often have compartments for chemical media, like activated carbon or phosphate removers, to purify the water.
Advantages: High filtration capacity, customizable media, quiet operation. Typically these are the most quiet of all filter types. One thing to consider is they accumulate detritus which is a nasty muck of fish poop and decaying matter. If you don’t service this regularly nitrates can build up in the water. They work quite well but frequent maintenance is best to run these filters optimally. Some premium canister options have a UV sterilizer built into them to add a 4th type of filtration to them which helps reduce the chances of spreading disease and keeps water clear from algae blooms.
Best for: Medium to large aquariums, freshwater and saltwater tanks with high bio-load or delicate fish species.
3. Sump Filtration Systems
Sump filtration systems are typically used in large and advanced aquariums like a reef tank. They involve an additional tank (the sump) connected to the main aquarium, where water is filtered and circulated back into the tank. Sumps can house various filtration components, including protein skimmers, heaters, and refugiums.
Mechanical Filtration: Sumps often include filter socks or sponges to capture large particles.
Biological Filtration: They provide space for bio-media and live rock, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria.
Chemical Filtration: Sumps can accommodate chemical media reactors, such as activated carbon or GFO (granular ferric oxide) for specific water quality adjustments.
Advantages: High filtration efficiency, easy maintenance, can integrate various equipment. The fact that you can add in skimmers, reactors, UV sterilizers and heaters keeps clutter out of the display tank and provides a more minimalist display with added focus on the inhabitants rather than seeing heaters, tubes etc. The reactors and refugium sections offer flexibility and options that the other filters can not accommodate.
Best for: Large aquariums, especially saltwater setups, or aquariums with complex filtration needs.
Selecting the Perfect Filter for Your Aquarium
When choosing a filter, consider the following factors:
Tank Size: Larger tanks require more powerful filters with higher flow rates. HOB filters are suitable for small to medium tanks, while canister and sump filters are better for larger setups. The size of the tank is the key consideration to selecting the pump size for your filter. You want to be able to calculate how many times per hour the pump can pump all the water in your display. This is called a turnover rate. As a general rule of thumb freshwater aquarium pump should typically turn over the display water 3-4 times per hour, while a saltwater aquarium (fish-only or Fish only with live rock- FOWLER) should turn over the water 5-10 times per hour; for a saltwater reef tank, aim for a turnover rate of 10-20 times per hour depending on the coral species you want to keep. Having an idea of what kind of species you want to keep in any aquarium is part of filter selection. Fish that live in rivers typically will thrive better with high turnover rates but fish that live in pools or small lakes need slower moving water.
Fish Species and Bio-Load: Fish species with high bio-loads (how much they poop), such as goldfish or cichlids, require more robust filtration. Canister and sump filters are ideal for tanks with high bio-loads. HOB filters work well for tanks with low to moderate bio-loads. You can get away with HOB on high bioload species, however you need to perform maintenance more often to keep up with the amount of waste the fish produce.
Freshwater vs. Saltwater: Saltwater tanks often require more advanced filtration due to the sensitivity of marine life. Sump systems are highly recommended for saltwater setups, but canister filters can also be effective. HOB filters are best suited for less demanding saltwater and freshwater tanks.
In conclusion, choosing the right aquarium filter involves understanding the different filter types and matching them to your tank's size, fish species, and specific needs. Whether you opt for a HOB filter for its simplicity, a canister filter for its power, or a sump system for its versatility, the right filter will ensure a healthy and thriving aquatic environment. Happy fishkeeping!