FILTRATION

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FILTRATION

Introduction

• What is filtration?

• Why is filtration important?

• What are filter media?

• Can you name different types of filter systems?

• Why is it important to clean and maintain filter equipment?

What is filtration?

Aquarium filtration is the process by which water is passed through a filter

medium in order to remove physical and chemical impurities to improve the

quality of the water.

Filtration

Filtration works in a number of different ways:

• Mechanical filtration: this involves the physical removal of waste.

• Biological Filtration: this involves the bacteria and other biological elements such as live plants that live in the tank and filter systems. They help convert the toxins into less harmful substances.

• Chemical Filtration: this involves the use of chemical elements that actively soak up or neutralise toxins in the tank.

Filtration

How does filtration work?

• Because fish produce waste products, their housing rapidly becomes polluted.

• Uneaten food contributes to the levels of pollution, as well as rotting plant matter.

• Filtration is therefore required in aquarium systems to reduce the level of toxins in the water before they reach critical levels and make the fish ill.

How is filtration important?

Filtration

• There are a number of different types of filter systems available.

• Each system has different designs and levels of efficiency.

• They all use the same basic methods to help remove waste.

• The choice of filter will depend on the species being kept, the number of fish in a tank, the size of the tank, volume of water and the cost.

Filtration

Filter systems

• Most filters involve electricity to power the movement of water through the filter.

• This can be separate to the filter e.g. A pump

• Or part of the filter e.g. an integral power head.

• Water is drawn through the filter over one or more types of filter media.

• The filtered water is then passed back into the tank.

Filtration

How do filters work?

Filter media perform two functions.

1. To trap and remove physical waste (mechanical filtration)

2. To provide as big a surface as possible for bacteria involved in the nitrogen cycle to live and reproduce (biological filtration)

3. Filter media include such things as ceramic rings, sponge, filter wool, gravel, plastic bio balls and coral sand.

Ceramic rings Sponge

Filter wool Gravel

Coral sandBio balls

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Filter medium

• Some filter medium involved in the process of chemical filtration e.g. zeolite and activated carbon are involved in the adsorption of materials from the water (Chemical filtration)

• They will need to be replaced regularly as they become saturated with the toxins they have absorbed.

Activated carbonZeolite

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Filter medium

• An internal power filter fits inside the tank.

• It is comprised of a hollow cylinder

• Filled with filter media.

• Attached to a water tight power source.

• Once submerged and plugged in the power draws water up through the base, through the media and expels it from the top back into the tank.

Filtration

Internal power filter

To see how to set up this filter, view the video in the filtration section.

To see how this filter works, view the animation in the filtration section.

External power filter

• External filters are positioned outside the tank.

• They have a large watertight power source.

• This fits on top of a canister

• Which is filled with filter media.

• Pipes are connected from the filter to the tank.

• One pipe draws water out of the tank.

• The other pipe feeds filtered water back in.

Filtration

To see how to set up this filter, view the video in the filtration section.

To see how this filter works, view the animation in the filtration section.

• An under gravel filter is a perforated tray that fits in the bottom of the tank.

• In each rear corner are plastic upright tubes tank height connected to the base.

• Gravel is placed on top of the tray and acts as the filter medium.

• An air line is fitted with small air stones and placed into each tube.

• The air line is then connected to an air pump, which forces air down the air line.

• Bubbles are forced out of the air stone and rise to the surface dragging water with it.

• This removes water from under the tray and causes water to be dragged through the gravel to replace it.

Filtration

To see how this filter works, view the animation in the filtration section.

Under gravel filter

• This is a very simple pipe system with a sponge attached.

• It is powered via air line attached to an air pump.

• This is not as powerful as other filters so is suitable for use in small tanks, or with small fish fry that might otherwise be sucked into more powerful filters.

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Sponge filter

Advantages and Disadvantages

Filter Advantages Disadvantages

Internal power filter

Compact

Relatively cheap

Easy to use and maintain

Ideal for 60cm – 120cm tanks and small / community fish.

Takes up room in the tank. The larger the tank the bigger the filter.

May be too powerful for just hatched fry.

External canister filter

Heavy duty copes with large volumes of waste. Most suitable for larger tanks and bigger fish or high populations.

Can be costly

More difficult to clean and maintain.

Under gravel filter

Well hidden in the tank takes up little room.

Relatively cheap.

More difficult to clean.

Needs a power head or pump to power it.

Filtration

All equipment should be checked routinely to ensure it is functioning properly.

• As with all electrical equipment health and safety is important particularly in close connection to water. Always disconnect the appliance before maintenance.

• A filter with reduced flow back into the tank may be clogged or damaged in some way.

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Equipment Maintenance

• Regular cleaning of filter media and power heads is essential to the upkeep of the filter and helps removing physical waste.

• This should be done in waste tank water, NOT TAP WATER

NEVER CLEAN FILTER MEDIUM IN TAP WATER

• Tap water contains chlorine which kills the important nitrosomonas and nitrobacter bacteria needed for the nitrogen cycle and the biological filtration process.

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Cleaning

To see how to clean filters, view the video in the filtration section.

• Periodic water changes help maintain the aquarium by actually physically removing toxic water and nitrates from the fish’s environment.

• The replacement water effectively dilutes the level of any remaining toxins.

• Use of a gravel cleaner will remove physical waste from the tank.

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Water Changes