Checks To Do When Buying Second-hand External Filters

Many people who have a passion for keeping fish are not able to afford the rather large fees associated with purchasing a brand new outer filtration system. Fortunately, there are many people who want to sell their used systems. There are just a few things that you need to keep in mind when you opt for this route.

The first thing you should do when you enter the used parts market is to make sure that you do not pay for anything before you have actually seen it. This way if you find that the quality of the item is less than desirable when you see it you can still get out of the sale. You should also ensure that the filtration system is completely watertight, there are no visible signs of limescale, and that it has not undergone any radical repairs. Many tank owners will use tape and superglue to put them back together. Sadly, these types of repairs are rarely effective.

Once the used filtration system you are interested in has passed all of these tests you will be able to bring it home. Enjoy the installation process and rest assured that your pets will reap all of the benefits.

Why Cheap Filters Are Not Always The Best Option?

The filtration system that you install into your fish tank is the one thing that decides whether it will thrive or become a hostile environment for your valuable pets. For this reason, you may want to invest instead of going for the most affordable option.

Your fish will not be able to survive in an environment that is not properly

oxygenated, has large amounts of ammonia, and unwanted strains of bacteria. Most filtration systems that are on the lower price range will be able to keep up with the needs of your tank for a short period. However, if you are not maintaining the system on a regular basis you will need to replace it after just a few months. You may also need to spend more money on the replacement of sponges and cleaning materials than you would on a premium filtration system.

Although an inexpensive filtration system may keep your tank clean and clear for the first few months it may not be all that you believe it to be. These types of systems will need to be cleaned regularly. They also require the replacement of sponges, which may cost you a lot more money than if you had just invested in a better model.

Selecting The Right Aquarium Filter

Choosing the right filtration system is one of the most important decisions you will make. In most cases, the filtration system is the key factor that determines the success of your fish tank. This determines the type of livestock, size and quantity that you will be able to keep. This system will also keep the water clean, free from particles like food or waste, and toxins that may harm your precious pets.

In general, there are three different types of filtration that are important in a water system. You need mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration to ensure the success of your tank. During mechanical filtration, particles are removed from the water by forcing it through material that helps to catch all of these particles. The chemical process removes any toxic build up in the water through a chemical resin. Finally, biological filtration occurs when a variety of bacteria convert the byproduct produced by the tank inhabitants into less toxic chemicals. When this process occurs it is known as the nitrogen cycle where the organic waste created in your tank will be converted to ammonia. This is then processed further until it is converted into nitrates that are beneficial to your fish.

To ensure that your tank remains safe for your valuable fish you need to make sure that you have adequate filtration mechanisms in place that will facilitate the different types of filtration. There are a wide variety of systems available. However, the most common types are internal, under gravel, power, canister, or wet or dry. Each one of these has their own advantages and disadvantages. At the end of the day, the type of system you choose will depend entirely on the type of aquatic pets that you intend on keeping. Live planted freshwater tanks will most commonly require a mechanical and chemical filtration system. On the other hand, a heavily-stocked African Cichlid tank needs a combination of the three different types of cleaning systems.

Internal systems will often come in a wide variety of styles. They can be placed on the substrate or mounted to the side. As the name indicates under gravel systems are hidden beneath the substrate in your tank. Power filtration systems hang on the back of your tank and will generally use all three varieties of filtering the water. If you use a canister system you only need to place it at the bottom of your tank. Finally, a wet or dry system is placed at the bottom of a tank and requires an overflow system to clear the water.

Before you make a decision about the type of filtration you are going to install into your tank you need to do a little bit of thinking. Look at the type and quantity of livestock you plan on keeping before making a final decision.

Is It Important To Keep Aquarium Filters On All The Time?

Setting up a new fish tank takes a lot of time, research, and money. For that reason, you will want your tank to look pristine and clear at all times. However, most people are not sure how to achieve this. There are several things that you can do to help your tank stay beautiful and your filtration system plays a large role in this.

There is a large amount of debate amongst the experts regarding filtration practices. Some people believe that your filter should stay on for the majority of the time while others believe that it is better to switch off the clearing systems before you go to sleep at night. The reason for this is that many tank owners are afraid that their expensive systems will burn out if they are constantly left on.

The good news is that you can leave all of the systems in your tank running without fear of them becoming damaged. In fact, it is highly recommended

that your tank remains on to make sure that there are no fluctuations in water quality that may harm your pets. Many fish require a constant stream of clean, oxygenated water to remain in an optimum condition. When you switch the filtration off for extended periods of time the water becomes stagnant and is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Additionally, the good bacteria in these systems need running water to be able to metabolize the harmful ammonia in the water that is released during the nitrogen cycle.

Leaving your filtration systems on without turning them off is no longer a cause for concern. Most of these systems will be submerged in the water meaning the motor will always be kept cool. This eliminates the concern for a burnt out motor that had people switching their tanks off in the past. Due to the advances in technology used in fish tanks you may be able to leave the clearing systems on indefinitely with little to no issues. All that these systems really require is some maintenance on a regular basis and infrequent cleanings.

If a clear and healthy fish tank is your top priority then it is essential that you leave the filtration systems on as long as possible. Leaving them on will not cause any issues for your fish or your tank. The only requirement to keep these expensive systems running smoothly is cleaning and maintenance.

Should You Buy An External or Internal Aquarium Filter?

Without a proper filtration system, you will never have a perfect, healthy fish tank. Your filtration system will ensure that the water remains clean and clear and your fish will not be poisoned by their own wastes or bacterial overgrowth. However, which type of filtration is best for your tank?

There is great debate surrounding this topic. Each type of filtration system will have its own benefits and drawbacks. Many people prefer a system that is placed in the tank. They are placed in the back of the tank with their outlets located just below the surface of the water. The mechanical system will then suck the water upand let it pass through a variety of materials designed to trap the dirt in the water. There is also a sponge placed in the system that contains several strains of healthy bacteria that remove ammonia from the water. After the water has been cleared it will be released back into the water.

Outer filtration systems, on the other hand, are usually placed outside of the tank in the cabinet below it. It functions quite similarly to a cleaning system located on the inside of a tank. However, these types of systems contain more cleaning materials than other types of systems. This means that it requires less frequent cleanings than other systems. The real difference between these two types of cleaning systems becomes clear when you look at the price. An outer filtration system is often a lot more expensive than one that can be placed inside of your fish tank. The type of filtration system you decide on depends largely on the needs of your fish tank. If you do not have the time to perform regular maintenance you may want to consider the outer version.