Choose the Best Filter for Your Freshwater Aquarium
Posted: Monday, November 30, 2009
by Brian Wong
Before you set up your aquarium, you need to choose what type of you filter your aquarium will get the most benefit from. It's important to choose the best filter for your freshwater aquarium. Choosing the best filter doesn't mean choosing something pricey. Choosing the best filter means choosing a filter that will work well with your aquarium and provide your fish with a healthy, stable living environment for years to come.
One unusual biological filter is an undergravel filter. They work by allowing a small space to exist between the bottom of your tank and the filter plate. Inside this space, live tiny invisible bacteria. These bacteria are not bad. In fact, their very presence in your aquarium indicates a thriving community capable of supporting life.
If you do not want to use an undergravel filter, you may alternatively purchase a sponge filter. With these types of filters, you do not want a sponge that is temporary or disposable. When you dispose of these temporary sponges, you loose your good bacteria and are forced to start over again with a new batch of bacteria. While your new bacteria is growing, the health of your fish could be in danger.
It is best to have two sponges within your filter. When one becomes dirty or clogged, simply rinse it with water from your aquarium. If the filter is particularly hard to get clean, gently scrub your fingers against it to loosen stuck bacteria. Do not use soaps to clean your filter.
When you have cleaned one filter, replace it and wait a week or two for it to grow more bacteria. After a week or two, you may clean the second filter. If you follow this pattern, you are less likely to suddenly destroy your bacteria colony and expose your fish to unsafe ammonia levels.
When you are considering what type of mechanical filtration you would like, you need to take the number of gallons your tank can hold and multiply that number by five. You want a filtration system (alternatively called water pumps) that filters at least that many gallons per hour (GPH). That means all of the water in your aquarium should be filtered a minimum of five times in any given hour. It is important that you do not let cost impair the well-being of your aquarium when you are purchasing your water pump. If you are given a choice between a smaller or larger size then you need, you should always buy the larger one. A water pump that is slightly larger than needed will keep your water clean and fresh looking while a smaller pump will struggle to keep up.
Brian Wong is a freshwater fish enthusiast, and enjoys helping others get started in this amazing hobby. His newest book, "The Ultimate Guides To Freshwater Aquariums" teaches aquarists everything they need to know about starting and maintaining a thriving freshwater aquarium. For more great information on freshwater aquarium filter, visit http://www.freshwateraquariumguides.com
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