Fish tank filters work by pulling water out of an aquarium through a strainer and running it through several stages of filtration in which fish wastes are broken down. For pet fish owners, the key problem they face is how to keep the water clean and healthy on a daily basis. The traditional fish tank may need to change water every day or every other day, since the fish breathe, eat and excrete in the same water all day long.
Whatever the size and shape of your fish tank, you should learn that the fish tank could not compare to the natural environment like freshwater ponds or lakes, which are large enough to achieve an ecological balance and there is no build up of poisonous elements to fish.The space of aquariums on the other hand is quite limited and need a great deal of help to achieve any kind of equilibrium. A filter is surely the most important part of any fish tank for an easy maintenance.
Your choice of the right fish tank filters for your aquarium should depend on the following criteria:
How large is your fish tank ?
How many fish you have in there ?
How much time you can spend maintaining the fish tank filters ?
How much money are you willing to spend on a fish tank filters ?
When you know the answers to these four criterias it will be easy to select the right fish tank filters for you.Here are the different fish tank filters available to suit your needs.
External Canister Filters:
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Canister filters are more powerful filters suited to medium to large tanks. These fish tank filters force the water through the filter media rather than letting it flow through as other filters do. Consequently they are suitable for tanks that require a high level of filtration. Most canister filters will take a wide range of filter media allowing you to interchange the media to deal with different water conditions. Canister filters sit outside the tank, either behind or underneath it.
Product Features:
- Advanced filtration system providing maximum versatility and premium performance for aquariums up to 100 gallons
- Instant priming for convenient, simple and quick filter start up; No manual siphoning
- High output motor is sealed in epoxy to resist high temperatures for performance and safety
- AquaStop Valve offers an air- and water-tight seal permitting hosing to be disconnected without breaking the vacuum
- Pump output of 340 gallons per hour; 3-year warranty
Undergravel Filters
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These fish tank filters usually come as a set when you purchase a beginner fish tank. A layer of gravel sits on a slightly raised platform and the filter functions by sucking water through this layer of filter, where the gravel acts as the filter media. Meant for medium tanks with not too many fish, they are relatively easy to clean. Most of the time, all you need to do is vacuum or siphon the layer of muck that build up at the base of the fish tank. They are not too expensive but the platform base comes in standard sizes that might not fit a custom fish tank.
Sponge Filters
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Sponge filters are simply a sponge that fits over the water intake.These are really used for breeding tanks where small fry could get sucked into the water intake and are not really suitable for anything but the smallest home aquarium.
Power Filters
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Power filters have become the most popular type of fish tank filter. They are easy to install and simply hang off the back or side of the aquarium, making the filter media easier to change than the canister filter. The biological fish tank power filter can be increased by adding a bio wheel. These are best suited to small to medium sized fish tanks.
Product Features:
- Refiltration system that offers superior contact time with filter media and energy efficient pump lowers operating costs
- Quick and easy installation
- Filtration volume is up to 7 times larger than comparable filters
- Comes equipped with AquaClear Foam, Activated Carbon and BioMax and Cycle Guard for continuous biological filtration and superior water quality
- 2-year warranty; Ideal for aquariums up to 70 gallons
Fish Tank Filters Accessories
Fish tank filters have parts and accessories that you have to change from time to time. The most commonly used are filter bags, filter cartridges, and filter media. Examples of filter media are ceramic rings, sponge or foam inserts, filter gravel, foam blocks, and filter pads.
Where to Buy Fish Tank Filters
You can buy fish tank filters from many big retailers offline or online like Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart etc. But which one is the best? We have done work for you, we find the best place to buy is at Amazon.com. This giant online retailers give the best price which included FREE Shipping (in US only) for this holiday season.
Amazon.com is a reputable company that stand out in customer services. You will have a piece of mind because not only they will make sure you get the holiday gift on time but they are very actively in updating you the status of your gift delivery. Gift wrapping is also available for just a small additional fee.
However, taking into consideration the saved maintenance costs in the long run, it’s still worthwhile. So, don’t hesitate anymore, the early you choose one good filter, the longer your pet fish can live in a healthy clean water environment.
