There are many accessories you will need for effective functioning of your aquarium and one essential item on this list is the aquarium filter. This can keep the water clean and ensure your fish are healthy. The filters will remove harmful chemicals, debris and other waste from the water.
You need to think about the size of your aquarium when selecting the right filter
If the filter you have chosen is too small, it will not be effective in cleaning the water. And choosing a large filter is also not good as it can create too much movement in the water. This can increase the stress level of your fish. You can always ask the supplier for recommendations when choosing a filter but generally, the rule of thumb is to select a filter that can handle at least double the volume of your aquarium. You will come across different types and brands of aquarium filters. Some common filters you will find are canister filters, hang-on-back or HOB filters, sponge filters and under-gravel filters. Whichever category of filter you choose, make sure you look for the feature it comes with. For example, the aqua one canister filter comes with a telescopic strainer, removable stackable media baskets, directional output nozzles and rubberized feet for quite operation.
The most common filters used are the HOB or hand-on-back filters as they are easy to install
They also come with low maintenance. As the name explains, this filter will hand on the back of your aquarium. It relies on a pump to draw the water through filter media. If you are looking for a filter with a little bit more power than this, you can use a canister filter. These are placed outside the aquarium. You can use these for larger aquariums. Under-gravel filters, as the name says are installed below the substrate and these use air stones to draw water. And you can remove debris and waste from the water using a sponge filter. This is generally used as a secondary filter in most aquariums. You can also have it for small aquariums.
When choosing a filter, there are certain specifications you need to consider
One such factor is the flow rate which is the amount of water that can be filtered by it at a time. To ensure clean and healthy water, you need to select a filter that has a high flow rate. But if the flow rate is too much, it can create too much movement in the water so you need to consider the size of your aquarium when determining which flow rate is best. Generally, look for a flow rate that can filter 3 to 5 times more than the volume of the aquarium in an hour. The filter media is another consideration. You will come across chemical, biological and mechanical filter media. The latter will trap waste while chemical filters can remove chlorine and heavy metals from the water. Biological filters have helpful bacteria that can break down harmful chemicals in the water.
