Aquarium Mechanic Filtration

The concept of mechanical filtration in aquarium is quiet simple. It forces water to flow through certain material i the filtration system which trap any debris or other physical waste material thereafter water  flows out of the filter  is free from physical waste. This clean water is then flowed back to aquarium. There are many materials and metodes available  for aquarium  filtration.

Here is list of aquarium filter types

• sponge filter , main use is for aquarium with baby fish or breeder tank.
• power filter  including hang on top (HOT) or hang on back (HOB) filter, internal power filter

• canister external filter, a heme
• under gravel filter
• diatomaceous earth (D.E) filter: usually for swimming pool or drinking water filter. Diatomaceous earth is an organic sediment with a unique pore structure that will trap the smallest debris (as small as 1 micron)

• sump filter

aquarium filtration system

Aquarium filter system is probably the most important part in our aquarium. No matter what you plan to fill in your aquarium, the filter system is an absolute requirement.
The function from filter is:

1. Keeping the water clear from debris and particulate matter (tiny fragments of plant material, leftover food, feces, waste products from the fish, etc.) 
2. Providing a water flow in the aquarium

Filtration is categorized in three type:

• mechanical
• biological
• chemical

Mechanical Filtration

This type of filtration works by keeping the water clear removing debris such as leftover food, feces from the water. To accomplish this, the aquarium water is forced through a media (material) that is designed to catch and hold these tiny particles. This media is available in many forms including different types of foam, filter floss. To function properly, it is important that this media is cleaned regularly to remove the particulate matter it has trapped, prior to the material decaying and adding to the waste products in the aquarium.It is also important to replace old media.

Biological Filtration
This type of filtration by its name is performed biologically by micro-organism or nitrogen cycling bacteria. This bacteria will convert ammonia which is waste product from fish into more harmless form. The proccess  involves ammonia being broken down into nitrite then nitrate. If plants or algae are present in the aquarium they will take the filtration a further step by using the nitrate as a growth nutrient.

Chemical filtration

Chemical filtration is using  substance to neutralize any harmful toxin or other unwanted chemicals. The most well-known chemical filtration substance is carbon.

To achieve maximum filtration effect, these three type of filtration  must be incorporated to achive one healthy aquarium environment.