Fish Keeping Forum: What filter?

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				I've been doodling in Sketchup again and thought you might like to have
a look at these! In all these, dark green arrows are dirty water, blue
is clean. Thin, pale blue arrows indicate air.  Sponge filter

Perhaps the simplest and most basic filter, the sponge airlift.
The sponge acts as mechanical and biological media, the water flow is
achieved by an air lift. This gives a very low turnover, suitable for
fry tanks or those fish like fighters and gouramis that don't like much
current. Larger, much more substantial versions are used by some discus
keepers.

Box filter
A simple plastic box. The media goes inside the box, again water flow is via an airlift.

Under Gravel (normally referred to as UG). A
plastic plate at the base of the tank under the gravel gives a void for
the water to flow through. Once more an airlift provides the flow. The
complete gravel bed of the tank provides mechanical and biological
filtration. The filter bed does need to be cleaned using a gravel vac
to stop it compacting and accumulating dirt in and under the filter. A
more suffisticated version uses an external filter to pump mechanically
clean water under the plate and UP through the gravel for biological
filtration. Gravel size is critical. Too big and the dirt goes straight
through, too small and it compacts too easily. Plants won't grow with
the water flow through their roots.

Simply a more powerful version. The airlift is replaced by an aquarium powerhead.

Iternal Power Filter
Often no more than a powered sponge filter in a box. Some versions
are equipped with several cannisters fitted together that can be used
for different media, e.g. carbon, peat granules, floss.

Hang On Filter
More popular in the 'States than here but still a useful idea.
This filter is fitted behind or to the side of the aquariu, Water is
pumped into the filter (some versions have the pump fitted inside the
filter) and overflows back into the aquarium. Various media can be
placed in the different sections. Perhaps better suited to open topped
aquaria as there's no hood to be chopped to allow fitting. Easy to
access for cleaning.

Extrnal Canister Filter
This sits under the aquarium, usually in the
cabinet or stand. It must be below water level to function properly.
This simplified version shows how water is syphoned from the tank, runs
down the outside of the baskets, up through the media and is then
pumped back into the tank. Modern externals have self priming
facilities, non-drip hose connections, some have built in heaters. Very
useful and often sophisticated filters. Each basket can be loaded with
different media. The bottom usually contains some form of mechanical
media, then biological then water treatment/chemical, all topped off
with water polishing floss.

You'll find these in many complete aquarium kits. The filter
sits inside the hood. Water is pumped up to the filter and then sprays
over the media. This gives a high oxygen level allowing the filter
bacteria to work very efficiently. A top layer of floss cleans the
water before it reaches the biological media. Some are large enough to
allow a layer of carbon or other chemical media too. Most come with a
kit of replacable filter pads e.g. carbon and various grades of sponge.

Edited by manutius - 27 May 2009 at 3:11pm

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jimthefish Moderators Plant Forum Moderator AquaTrax User: YES Joined: 19 October 2005 Last Active: Yesterday Location: United Kingdom Posts: 6253 Articles: 10 Member Rating: 965	Topic: What filter? Posted: 27 May 2009 at 3:08pm Click Here for the original Post
	I've been doodling in Sketchup again and thought you might like to have a look at these! In all these, dark green arrows are dirty water, blue is clean. Thin, pale blue arrows indicate air. Sponge filter Perhaps the simplest and most basic filter, the sponge airlift. The sponge acts as mechanical and biological media, the water flow is achieved by an air lift. This gives a very low turnover, suitable for fry tanks or those fish like fighters and gouramis that don't like much current. Larger, much more substantial versions are used by some discus keepers. Box filter A simple plastic box. The media goes inside the box, again water flow is via an airlift. Under Gravel (normally referred to as UG). A plastic plate at the base of the tank under the gravel gives a void for the water to flow through. Once more an airlift provides the flow. The complete gravel bed of the tank provides mechanical and biological filtration. The filter bed does need to be cleaned using a gravel vac to stop it compacting and accumulating dirt in and under the filter. A more suffisticated version uses an external filter to pump mechanically clean water under the plate and UP through the gravel for biological filtration. Gravel size is critical. Too big and the dirt goes straight through, too small and it compacts too easily. Plants won't grow with the water flow through their roots. Simply a more powerful version. The airlift is replaced by an aquarium powerhead. Iternal Power Filter Often no more than a powered sponge filter in a box. Some versions are equipped with several cannisters fitted together that can be used for different media, e.g. carbon, peat granules, floss. Hang On Filter More popular in the 'States than here but still a useful idea. This filter is fitted behind or to the side of the aquariu, Water is pumped into the filter (some versions have the pump fitted inside the filter) and overflows back into the aquarium. Various media can be placed in the different sections. Perhaps better suited to open topped aquaria as there's no hood to be chopped to allow fitting. Easy to access for cleaning. Extrnal Canister Filter This sits under the aquarium, usually in the cabinet or stand. It must be below water level to function properly. This simplified version shows how water is syphoned from the tank, runs down the outside of the baskets, up through the media and is then pumped back into the tank. Modern externals have self priming facilities, non-drip hose connections, some have built in heaters. Very useful and often sophisticated filters. Each basket can be loaded with different media. The bottom usually contains some form of mechanical media, then biological then water treatment/chemical, all topped off with water polishing floss. You'll find these in many complete aquarium kits. The filter sits inside the hood. Water is pumped up to the filter and then sprays over the media. This gives a high oxygen level allowing the filter bacteria to work very efficiently. A top layer of floss cleans the water before it reaches the biological media. Some are large enough to allow a layer of carbon or other chemical media too. Most come with a kit of replacable filter pads e.g. carbon and various grades of sponge. Edited by manutius - 27 May 2009 at 3:11pm
	Jim B

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