Aquarium water passes through several layers of filter media before being recirculated back into the tank.
People want to adjust and maintain the filtration in their aquariums because the size and population of their fish might vary greatly. Filter media can be swapped out in most common filter designs, including the HOB, corner box, internal, canister, and sump filter.
A well-functioning aquarium will have water filtration systems and other purification mechanisms like quality foam pond filters to keep the water free of debris and contaminants. Read on, and we’ll spill the beans on how to pick the best filter for your fish tank!
Learn About The Filtration Process
Assorted filter media are used in filtration (filter materials). Solid particles (bigger debris) can be collected by using a mechanical filter medium in an aquarium.
Biological filter media are crucial when it comes to maintaining a healthy ecosystem and a low concentration of harmful chemicals.
Water with a poorer chemical makeup can benefit from chemical filter media. The purpose of adding activated carbon and zeolite is to alter the water’s chemistry.
Tanks that are filled with subpar tap water should use a filtering medium like activated carbon or zeolite. The activated carbon filters out the chlorine and any other contaminants in the tank’s water.
Activated carbon should be removed from an aquarium’s chemical filter medium after being used for at least six months. Always use safety gloves when you remove the activated carbon. Learn about the major differences between nitrile and latex gloves and choose the right one for your purpose.
Substances absorbed by the filter media might be released back into the tank after that time period.
Choosing Optional Dual-Use Media
Sponge and pad materials are preferred by certain pet owners because they serve dual purposes as a mechanical and biological medium. When using media that serves more than one purpose, it is best to employ multiple layers, particularly with varying degrees of coarseness. Coarse materials are put in the bottom.
The sponges’ dual purpose as a biological and mechanical medium necessitates periodic cleaning of its various layers. They can repopulate the areas that have been cleaned by staggering the cleaning timetable. There will be less overall upheaval of the bacterial colonies if you do it in this manner.
Choosing Chemical Medium
When it comes to cleaning up aquarium water and adjusting to the chemical balance, many hobbyists turn to chemical media. Ideally, the filter’s last stage would be filled with chemical media.
In the event that chemical media is used first, it will become clogged and require replacement long before its chemical filtering qualities are depleted.
Putting chemical media in front of biological media prevents the regular food source for the bacterial colonies from reaching them. Therefore, the biological filter media will be less conducive to bacterial growth. To protect the bacterial colonies, the filter should save the chemical filtering media for last.
Activated carbon, zeolite, peat, ferric hydroxide, and different resins are all examples of chemical filtering media used to improve water quality.
An important point to ensure is that, if you buy chemical media in bulk, always keep it away from the range of pets and children. Reserve a secure cabinet or cupboard with provided lock by any reputable smart door lock factory.
Choosing Biological Media
After the mechanical media, but before the chemical media, comes the biological media, or bio-media. The biological media must not get congested since it provides an ideal environment for the growth of microbial communities. If the oxygen supply is cut off, the bacterial colonies could perish.
Bacteria can live in comfort in biological filter media. The various forms include ceramic rings, sponges, pads, bio balls, bio stars, sand, and gravel. Some of these materials can also be used as mechanical media, so keep that in mind.
Bacteria thrive in the porous environments provided by these materials due to their large surface areas and their ability to let water and light travel through them.
Choosing Mechanical Media
The most basic kind of media is certainly a mechanical one. Every available filter has a small amount of variation. The mechanical medium simply gathers dust and other particles. You, as the aquarist, are responsible for removing the trash collected by the mechanical medium.
Rotting waste reduces water quality and defeats the purpose of garbage collection if this isn’t addressed. Monthly cleaning of all filters is required. During that once-a-month maintenance, you may need to clean or replace your mechanical media.
Mechanical media typically comes from a filter pad, foam block, or filter floss. The tiny slide-in cartridges found on most HOBs are typically equipped with filter pads. Mechanical media are often somewhat simple, but they serve the important purpose of collecting trash.
Conclusion
Filter media is one of many parts of an aquarium filter that work together to purify the water for your fish.
We hope this clarifies when and how to use different types of media and properly organize and manage them. Buying only the media you need can help you save money, and you’ll have a good idea of which ones are worth shelling out a bit more for.
