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Aquariums can be of two types; freshwater or marine aquariums. The former mimics freshwater conditions, while the latter is ideal for ocean fishes. Not all fishes can survive in freshwaters and vice versa. A fish taken from the ocean would, for instance, struggle in a freshwater aquarium because they are adapted to salty conditions.
Taking care of freshwater aquariums is another matter altogether. We are going to look at the filter systems that one can set up for a freshwater aquarium filter system. If you plan to have a freshwater aquarium, then stick around to the end and gain some valuable tips to help get the best out of your freshwater aquarium.
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Also called corner filters, these are some of the best filters for home-owned aquariums as they are small in size and can be moved around at will when needed. They are cheap and convenient as they can be loaded with all kinds of filter media from bio-balls, ceramic rings and any other small filter media types in the market. They are usually stuck to the side of the glass and have a less powerful intake which makes them safe for the fish. In most cases, some fishes usually end up making their homes out of these boxes. Some require air pumps, and they produce bubbles that enhance biological and chemical filtration.
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These are powerful freshwater aquarium filters that are best suited for large fish tanks. They are mechanical in nature and are usually positioned inside the water where they can be concealed behind a stand away from view. They are pressured to pass water through various filter media placed inside them, and this greatly reduces contamination in the eater as the process keeps repeating itself over and over again. Due to their huge sizes, there’s always room to add other accessories like a bio-wheel that will enhance the aesthetic while cleaning the water through biological filtration. One of the only drawbacks to using canister filters is that they are hard to maintain due to their sizes, and taking them apart may require professional help.
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These are specialized filters that work by polishing the water, getting rid of small particles that may discolor the fish tank if left unchecked. The water is pumped through a filter that traps the particles which can then be removed once they have accumulated enough. They are quite handy as they can be used for temporary situations, meaning that you can simply immerse it into the tank for a while then remove it a day later to get rid of the dirt it has accumulated. This is ideal for people who may not have enough time in their schedules to clean their freshwater aquariums.
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You may have come across a freshwater aquarium with a bed of fine sand that appears to be bobbing up and down as though the water is being boiled. This is what is allied with a fluidized bed filter, and it makes use of this and or silica chips as the filter media. The water is pumped through the sand, which hosts colonies of beneficial bacteria that are able to fix harmful chemicals in the water. On top of making the water clean and safe for the fish, this style of filters give the fish tank an aesthetic appeal
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These are the most common filters due to their efficiency and convenience. They have the ability to offer all the three filtration processes; biological, mechanical, and chemical, and this means the freshwater aquarium remains clean at all times as long as the power filters are running. They are usually installed at the back of the aquarium, from where they suck in the water gently through a specialized siphon tube. They come with sieves near the mouth of the tube to prevent small fishes from being sucked into the filter. The water flows through a series of filter pads, trapping debris and chemicals along the way.
Inside the power filters, there are carbon filters that handle chemical filtration, and at the same time, the inside of the filters is usually teeming with bacteria that handle the biological process. In a nutshell, this is a very efficient system that ensures the water receives the best treatment, making it safe for the fish.
Freshwater aquariums are more delicate compared to marine ones, and the fish inside is more sensitive to changes in the water. Therefore, they require more attention. Make cleaning the air a regular task and never go more than three days without checking on them. For more information on how to deal with freshwater aquariums, check out our website for valuable tips.
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