Aquarium Filters

Aquarium filters are primarily used to clean the fish tank's water. By cycling the liquid through the device toxic components are removed and particles are captured. This results in clear water that is pleasing to look at and healthy for the fish and other inhabitants. Water changes are always required but a good aquarium filtration system can reduce the water change frequency resulting in easier fish keeping.

It is true that some aquariums can be maintained without a filter. This is not done without sacrifice however. To do so requires a very small number of fish compared to what could be kept in a filtered aquarium. This low biological load is the best that can be hoped for without a fish tank filter.

There a number of filter varieties to choose from. The variety of filter you choose will mainly depend upon your individual needs and budget.

External filters are used on very large aquariums. There are both canister filters and sump varieties to choose from. These will generally be the most effective form of aquarium filtration because of the vast surface area where bacteria can process te water. On the downside they are always the most costly.

Many different sponge filters are available in a range of sizes but the principle is the same for each. Air from a pump is fed into the sponge where is exits through a tube to the aquarium surface. As it passes up the tube the bubbles also draw through some water. This displaced water draws new water into the sponge with the new water filtered as a result.

You can create your own homemade filter that works on the same principles of the commercial equivalent. If you enjoy diy projects then please consider the following resources which can help you create your own aquarium filter.