| Everybody likes a nice clean house. A little | | | | Mechanical filters take out small particles from the |
| untidiness doesn't hurt us though. Unfortunately | | | | water. These types of filters can be used almost |
| that is not true for fish. Almost any fish will not | | | | anywhere because of their simplicity. These filters |
| be healthy if it subject to waste and chemicals. If | | | | need to be cleaned often to make sure they are |
| you provide adequate maintenance and filtration | | | | working at their maximum potential. If you do not |
| your fish will be a lot better off. | | | | clean the filter then waste can accumulate, which |
| Generally speaking there are three different kinds | | | | would then provide little filtering. |
| of filtration, they are: biological, mechanical, and | | | | Mechanical filters come in many different forms. |
| chemical. Many agree that you should be using all | | | | Power filters are among the most popular |
| three in a tank. That may be true for | | | | because of their simplicity and low cost. Power |
| sophisticated aquariums like many saltwater | | | | filters can also provide biological and biological |
| systems. Although nobody really knows what the | | | | filtration. Canister filters are another popular design |
| best solution is to filtration. Getting a good idea on | | | | that provides good filtration of all three types. |
| how the three types work is a great start to | | | | Internal filters are impressive filters that can fit in |
| choosing which ones may be right for your tank. | | | | small tanks, they are simple and effective. The |
| Every tank needs a biological filter. They help | | | | filter is placed inside of the aquarium and it is |
| grow bacteria that breaks down fish wastes. This | | | | powered by its own pump. |
| is actually a rather simple process for an aquarist. | | | | Chemical filtration is usually taken care of by |
| Many just add fish to an aquarium. This will start | | | | activated carbon. Activated carbon will absorb all |
| the growth of the beneficial bacteria. Make sure | | | | the chemicals that pass by it. It will need to be |
| not to add fish too quickly, you need to allow | | | | replaced every few weeks to months. |
| time for the bacteria to grow, adding too many | | | | You can clean the water in your aquarium in a lot |
| fish will mean that the toxic fish waste will not be | | | | of different ways. Biological filtration is a good |
| broken down. It can take a couple months to | | | | start, then build on that to make a healthy place |
| establish this process. | | | | for your fish to live. |