How Does an Aquarium Filtration System Work?

Mechanical Filtration Systems

Keeping the water in your aquarium clean is crucial to your fish. There are different types of filters but the bottom line is they have to work and they have to be maintained. Mechanical filtration works by pulling particulates out of the water. Simple mechanical filtration can be done by a sponge. As the water passes through the sponge the particulates get stuck in it and the water passes through clean. The sponge is later removed and can be washed out. Canister filters use this type of filtration. It is a natural filtration like hermit crabs and snails. Mechanical systems must be kept clean or they can clog and slow or even stop the flow of water. In this case there is no filtration. Sometimes a mechanical system is combined with other type filtration systems. The most common mechanical system is a siphoning system that hangs on the back on your aquarium.

Biological filtration is essential to the health of your fish because it places good bacteria in the water. The good bacteria are credited for turning ammonia into nitrite. And then converts the nitrite into nitrate. Tropical fish need nitrate and their waste makes ammonia. Saltwater live rock is one of the best forms of biological filtration.

Chemical filtration removes the dissolved waste from the water. Activated carbon is often used in chemical filtration. It does the job it's designed to do and it removes odors from your tank too. The problem with activated carbon is it needs to be changed often. If it's not cleaned in time it will allow the waste to get back into the water.

Corner filters sit in the corner of your tank. They use all three filtration types. Corner filters require frequent maintenance. One of the oldest filters is the undergravel systems. This system pulls the water down through the gravel slowly and then is pushed up through tubes in the back of the tank where there is activated carbon at the top of the tubes. Harmful gas pockets can form in the gravel if it is not properly vacuumed out often. Regular maintenance is needed to keep your fish healthy. The most popular and most effective filter is the power filter. It uses all three filtration types and is easy to maintain. The best of the power filters to use is the two slot filter. This way you can change out one side and wait a couple weeks to change the other. Following this system will keep the good bacteria in your tank.