| Nothing is more important in aquarium keeping | | | | of the media out in used aquarium water. Ceramic |
| than water quality management. There are many | | | | bio rings are excellent in canister filters for bio |
| excellent products available out there to assist in | | | | filtreation). Live rock in marine aquariums also acts |
| water quality management, but in my opinion, | | | | as bio filters. Biological filtration revoves ammonia |
| there is still no replacement for water changes, | | | | and nitrite from your water (anaerobic bacterial |
| good filtration, and good feeding habits.o Water | | | | can remove nitrates in limited quantities). |
| Changes; changing water in more frequent, | | | | Aquarium Filters |
| smaller amounts is preferable to larger less | | | | -Chemical filtration is achieved by carbon and |
| frequent changes. Make sure the water going in | | | | zeolite (freshwater only for zeolite). |
| has the right chemistry (PH, ect.) and | | | | -Mechanical filtration is the removal of debris from |
| temperature. I like to use reverse osmosis water, | | | | the aquarium via filter floss, cartridges, ECT. |
| then add the elements I need back in (especially | | | | Canister filters excel at mechanical filtration. |
| for saltwater). Otherwise use a declorinator | | | | -Germicidal filtration is the use of uvc radiation or |
| (sodium thiosulfate), if chlorine or chloramines are | | | | ozone to kill disease pathogens in the water. I |
| present. (wonder shells remove chlorine, stabilize | | | | highly recommend UV sterilization in ANY |
| KH, and add electrolytes). Water changes are | | | | aquarium.o Good feeding habits simply means |
| important for Nitrate removal and buildup of toxic | | | | feeding what the fish will consume in 2-3 minutes |
| organic and inorganic material.o Good filtration | | | | (very general rule), twice per day. Also using a |
| consists of biological, chemical, mechanical, and | | | | quality food that is highly digestible is very |
| germicidal. | | | | important for less waste (Spirulina 20 flake is |
| -Biological: Sponge filters are excellent bio filters | | | | excellent, Tetramin is NOT). Most fish foods |
| (generally used in smaller aquariums, but there are | | | | available have too high of a cereal content and |
| larger ones now available, as well a sponge | | | | not enough fats and fish proteins.o This is a VERY |
| prefilters for intakes of other filters), wet/dry on | | | | general discussion about water quality; Please read |
| a larger scale, fluidized bed, and undergravel filters | | | | further articles such as target="_blank">Basic |
| (Your canister filter, power filter, ect also can be | | | | Freshwater Aquarium Principles; Information for |
| biological filters- just make sure to not change all | | | | the proper set up, maintenance for further |
| media during cleanings. You want to wash some | | | | information about aquarium care. |