Types of Filtration for Flowerhorn and other Ornamental Fishes

TYPES OF FILTRATION

Aquarium Filtration can be considered as three major types: mechanical, biological and adsorptive/chemical. 

• Mechanical filtration is necessary to remove particles from the water to keep the water sparkling clear and to maximise the efficiency of subsequent biological or adsorptive filtration. 

• Biological filtration is essential to ensure the breakdown of waste products in the aquarium by 'friendly' bacteria. This occurs most efficiently in highly porous media such as sponge and specific bio-media such as

 ceramic tubes and sintered glass. This media should only be lightly rinsed in aquarium water (not tap water) to maintain the bacterial colonies which establish. 

• Adsorptive media selectively remove various substances from the water. Examples include activated carbon which removes toxins, medications, dyes, etc. and specific resins which remove ammonia, nitrate, phosphate, etc. These products are also often referred to as chemical media,

although some would reserve this term for media which chemically modify aquarium water in other ways, such as peat which can acidify water by adding humic and tannic acid.

TYPES OF FILTER

Sponge filter

This is the most basic type of filter which consists simply of a sponge through which water is drawn by rising air bubbles from an air pump. The sponge acts mechanically, and once matured, biologically. These filters are ideal for small breeding and rearing tanks where a power filter might suck fry into the filter inlet.

Box Filter

These are also air powered and come in a number of sizes to suit small to medium sized tanks. The airflow draws water through the chamber of the filter which can be filled with the desired media. This type of filter can be moved between tanks to provide additional mechanical filtration using filter wool for example, or for adsorption of specific waste products using carbon or specialised adsorbent resins.

Internal power filter

This type of filter utilises an electrically powered centrifugal pump to draw water through the filter material, normally sponge. They may have additional chambers for adsorptive media or additional mechanical/biological media. They generally create a more powerful circulation than air-powered filters. They are ideal for aquariums in the 2ft - 4ft size range, and are useful in combination with external canister filters for large aquariums. They also provide useful extra mechanical filtration when used in conjunction with undergravel filtration.

HOT/HOB filters

Hang-On-Tank or Hang-On-Back filters are popular in the US and other regions, and are similar to internal power filters in terms of design principle and the size of aquarium that they are suitable for. Some use disposable cartridge systems to facilitate easier maintenance. The cartridge system may not cater for bio-filtration adequately, so models which include a sponge filter or an add-on like the BIO-Wheel are preferable.

The BIO-Wheel is an efficient bio-filter which can be added to different filtration systems and functions like a wet-dry filter.