How To Keep Your Aquarium Clean

No one likes living in a dirty, stuffy house. Thank goodness a
little dirt is not hazardous to our health. The same cannot be
said for our aquatic friends. Most fish and invertebrates are
unable to adapt to changes in water chemistry that result from
increased bacteria, waste, and chemicals. Proper filtration can
preserve the overall health of the aquarium and maintain its
beauty.

Three types of filtration exist on the market – biological,
mechanical, and chemical. Varying experts will assert that you
must utilize all three in your tank. For a marine aquarium with
a reef environment, that may be good advice. There is no
definitive answer on what combination is suitable for your
aquatic environment. Educating yourself on the functions of all
three will enable you to pick the filter(s) that will safeguard
your fish and invertebrates’ natural habitat.

Biological Filtration Biological filters are a must for every
aquarium. They stimulate the growth of nitrifying bacteria that
breaks down harmful ammonia to less toxic chemicals such as
nitrate. It sounds simple enough, but how this is accomplished
is quite impressive. A widespread method of producing these
beneficial bacteria is adding fish to the aquarium. The
bacteria, which ride on the fish, drop off and spread throughout
the tank and grow. This also leads to increased amounts of
dangerous ammonia, so it is important to add fish gradually. It
can take several months to establish this cyclical process.

Aquarist believed that they had an easier, quicker solution in
under gravel filters and crushed coral. Along with the water,
detritus and junk was pulled through the crushed coral, which
clogged the filter bed. Some fish enthusiasts have gladly
replaced these under gravel filters with biofilters such as
canister filters, trickle filters, bio wheels, fluidized bed
filters, or sponge filters. These devices incorporate other
methods of filtration making them even more useful. Other
aquarists opt for the natural route to biological filtration
using a mixture of live sand and crushed coral as the tank’s
substrate.

Mechanical Filtration Mechanical filters use a more direct
approach to remove particulate matter before it decomposes and
adds to the ammonia load. These filters are the most versatile
since they can be used in most filtration devices. The key to
their efficiency is regular cleaning. Otherwise, waste can
accumulate and your effort is in vain. Aquarium owners must
always be mindful of the flow rate of their device, which is
automatically set to manufacturer’s standards. A reduced flow
can lead to an unclean filter (or vice versa) and adversely
affects the health of the entire aquarium.

There are a variety of mechanical filters on the market, each
with its own advantages. The power filters’ low price, ease of
use, and maintenance makes it the most popular of all mechanical
filtration devices. These quiet devices can also be used for
chemical and biological filtration.

Canister filters are equally as versatile. These large-capacity
filters, which run on their own pumps, can be used for
mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration. Many aquarists
prefer the hang-on-tank canister filters to promote water
quality, but there are a large variety of canisters styles
available.

Wet/Dry filters, also known as trickle filters or bio-towers,
are more suitable for fish-only tanks than reef systems. This is
due to the biomaterial inside the filter’s wet/dry chamber that
becomes dirty and results in a buildup of harmful nitrates.

Internal filters are a great option for smaller tanks. Their
compact and simple design makes them easy to operate. As the
name suggests, the filter runs within the aquarium and is
powered by a small water pump, or air pump.

Protein skimming/foam fractionation is not mandatory, but it is
a trusted method of maintaining water quality. Dissolved
proteins linger to air bubbles and form protein foam. Protein
skimming pumps the air bubbles through a small columnar removing
the dissolved proteins from the tank.

Chemical Filtration Particles are not the only thing floating in
your aquarium’s water. Copper, ammonia, and phosphates also
threaten the stability of your tank’s environment. Chemical
filtration utilizes chemically enhanced products to treat the
water. Activated carbon is the leading medium used. Others such
as calcium hydroxide, zeolite, and even peat moss work as well.

Protein skimming, Power, Canister, and Internal filters are some
of the most common filtration devices used for chemical
treatment. Of course these double for mechanical filtration
devices as well. Trickle filters are a popular choice amongst
saltwater aquarium owners. The water is first drawn from the
tank. Then, it is siphoned through the mechanical, biological,
chemical, and auxiliary filters. Finally, it placed back into
the aquarium.

To target specific chemicals, look to Reactors. Water is drawn
through a canister-type chamber where it meets the chemical
media. For even more effective filtration, they can be run
pressurized.

The methods of keeping your aquarium’s waters clean are
numerous. Using biological filters as a base, there is a wealth
of combinations that you can build upon to create a healthy
environment for your pets.

Copyright 2006 Reef Saltwateraquarium