Different Types and Forms of Saltwater Filters
Posted: Sunday, January 31, 2010
by Peter Dranitsin
Petes Original Art Inc.
Basically, there are three types of saltwater filters: The mechanical, the biological and the chemical.
When you say filter, what immediately comes to mind are mechanical filters. These are materials designed to capture particulate matter. There are different sorts of mechanical filters in the market, most of which act like microscopic strainers that let only smaller molecules, like water, to pass.
Another famous example of mechanical filters is the protein skimmer which uses an entirely different kind of mechanism. It utilizes surface tension in producing microscopic bubbles to carry molecules (typically protein) up the water surface and out of the filter. This kind of filter can cost you fairly but is very effective in removing phosphates, nitrates and other dissolved organic compounds (DOCs) that cause algae overgrowth in most tanks.
Another type of filtering system is chemical filtration. Chemical filter media are designed to remove phosphates, silicates, heavy metals, toxins, acids and other chemicals from the water and grabs hold of them. This type of filtration is commonly used, and indeed quite useful, in removing yellowish tint from the water and more.
Granular activated carbon (GAC) is one of the chemical-type filters. It acts as a sponge where phosphates, nitrates and other DOCs stick to. A lot of aquarists have reservations in using activated carbon as filter, though. This is due to the fact that it does not only take DOCs but other trace elements that are essential to your aquaria's health as well.
GACs need to be replaced often (depending on your aquarium). If not replaced promptly, it leaches phosphates that encourage algal growth in your tank, which will be unsightly. Your GAC leaching yellowish liquid will be your cue to remove the filter.
Granular activated carbon is good for removing excess medicine from your tank but use it with caution. While medicating, you will also have to remove your GAC.
Resin media, also a chemical filter, acts pretty much the same way as GACs do. It also is les aggressive in removing trace elements from your tank water that are important especially to invertebrates.
The third and arguably the most important type of filtration for a saltwater aquarium is biological filtering. This method utilizes the naturally occurring nitrogen cycle in your tank. In this process, heterotrophic bacteria, or bacteria that feed on wastes, decompose your fish's excreta into the relatively harmless nitrates, which can be removed by a protein skimmer. This type of natural filtration can be achieved by simply putting live rocks into your aquarium.
Undergravel filters (UGFs) act both as mechanical and biological filters since heterotrophic usually reside on the surfaces of gravels at the bottom of your tank. A wet/dry filter also works like UGF only more effectively. It will need extra space beside your tank but will be a lot easier to maintain.
Another quite interesting filtering system is using mangroves to effectively remove DOCs. Through time, as the mangrove plant grows, you will even see less and less of your protein skimmer turning on!
What filter is best will depend on what creatures you will be having. It is always best to ask your pet store about it.
Cedric James is a saltwater aquarium fanatic. For more great tips about saltwater aquarium filters information, visit http://www.saltwateraquariumeasy.com.
This Article has been viewed 232 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.