Aquarium filters are necessary so that your aquarium will be free from the waste material that fish and marine animals give out as part of their biological processes.
This device cleans the water in the aquarium through various means.
Of the latest filter devices, the canister filter is one of those that can perform a number for functions so that a single device will be able to perform several clean-up tasks.
Canister filters are usually compared with the conventional "hang on" filters that are placed above the aquarium.
Although the canister filter looks quite similar to the latter and may also be hanged on top of the aquarium, the canister filter is preferred due to its improved mechanical filtration device.
Thus, this type of filter is usually recommended to those who own fish types that tend to leave a lot of waste material.
Another difference of the canister filter from the conventional aquarium filter types is that you can also place them below the aquarium.
This is best for you if you would like to get the filters away from the sight of the aquarium viewers.
Canister filters may also be placed inside the aquarium.
These are then called "submersible filters.
" Canister filters boast of their large water filtering capacity.
Therefore, they can filter greater amounts of water than the power filters in the market.
Canister filters also saves you space since you can hide it under your aquarium.
These are also easy to customize so that you can have a combination of mechanical, chemical, and biological filter devices.
The most noteworthy disadvantage of having a canister filter is the need to clean it frequently.
Because this functions mainly as a mechanical filter, the debris from the water can easily clog it up.
If you decide to submerge the water filter, clean up will get even more tedious than if the filter is located outside the aquarium.
Despite the trouble in cleaning the filter, you have to do this often to prevent the decaying and toxic waste from coming back into the aquarium's water.
There are three types of filtration media found in the canister filter.
These are the mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration media.
The first level of filtration takes place when the water is allowed to pass through the glass wool layer that traps the solid wastes from the water.
This is the part of the filter that gets clogged up, that you have to clean it regularly.
The filtered water is then passed through the charcoal layer.
Charcoal acts as an absorbent that traps the odor and some chemicals from the water.
This procedure gets rid of ammonia and chlorine, which can cause the water to smell.
The last filtration stage is the biological filtration in which bacteria are used to clean the water.
Not all chemicals are trapped in the charcoal layer.
Toxic nitrites have to be acted on by the bacteria in order to convert them into less toxic nitrate compounds.
Guide to proper choice of canister filters 1.
Replacement parts are readily available It is best if you have replacement parts of the canister filters readily available when you need them.
If the store has this, it is best to get a set and place them in an accessible place.
Once a part has to be replaced, do this as soon as possible to prevent leaks.
Look for replacements for the impellers, o-rings, and rubber gaskets.
2.
Fit for the aquarium type Just a short reminder: Although canister filters work with both freshwater and saltwater aquariums, there are some that work only with freshwater aquariums.
Be sure to inform the seller if you will use it with a saltwater aquarium.
3.
Ease of installation and use While someone can help you with installing the filter, most of the maintenance will be done by you.
Check if you will be able to clean the device without help from an expert.
The water filter is an important component of the aquarium.
Once you have chosen a canister filter, learn the proper way to maintain it in order to prevent any danger from happening to your pets.
This device cleans the water in the aquarium through various means.
Of the latest filter devices, the canister filter is one of those that can perform a number for functions so that a single device will be able to perform several clean-up tasks.
Canister filters are usually compared with the conventional "hang on" filters that are placed above the aquarium.
Although the canister filter looks quite similar to the latter and may also be hanged on top of the aquarium, the canister filter is preferred due to its improved mechanical filtration device.
Thus, this type of filter is usually recommended to those who own fish types that tend to leave a lot of waste material.
Another difference of the canister filter from the conventional aquarium filter types is that you can also place them below the aquarium.
This is best for you if you would like to get the filters away from the sight of the aquarium viewers.
Canister filters may also be placed inside the aquarium.
These are then called "submersible filters.
" Canister filters boast of their large water filtering capacity.
Therefore, they can filter greater amounts of water than the power filters in the market.
Canister filters also saves you space since you can hide it under your aquarium.
These are also easy to customize so that you can have a combination of mechanical, chemical, and biological filter devices.
The most noteworthy disadvantage of having a canister filter is the need to clean it frequently.
Because this functions mainly as a mechanical filter, the debris from the water can easily clog it up.
If you decide to submerge the water filter, clean up will get even more tedious than if the filter is located outside the aquarium.
Despite the trouble in cleaning the filter, you have to do this often to prevent the decaying and toxic waste from coming back into the aquarium's water.
There are three types of filtration media found in the canister filter.
These are the mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration media.
The first level of filtration takes place when the water is allowed to pass through the glass wool layer that traps the solid wastes from the water.
This is the part of the filter that gets clogged up, that you have to clean it regularly.
The filtered water is then passed through the charcoal layer.
Charcoal acts as an absorbent that traps the odor and some chemicals from the water.
This procedure gets rid of ammonia and chlorine, which can cause the water to smell.
The last filtration stage is the biological filtration in which bacteria are used to clean the water.
Not all chemicals are trapped in the charcoal layer.
Toxic nitrites have to be acted on by the bacteria in order to convert them into less toxic nitrate compounds.
Guide to proper choice of canister filters 1.
Replacement parts are readily available It is best if you have replacement parts of the canister filters readily available when you need them.
If the store has this, it is best to get a set and place them in an accessible place.
Once a part has to be replaced, do this as soon as possible to prevent leaks.
Look for replacements for the impellers, o-rings, and rubber gaskets.
2.
Fit for the aquarium type Just a short reminder: Although canister filters work with both freshwater and saltwater aquariums, there are some that work only with freshwater aquariums.
Be sure to inform the seller if you will use it with a saltwater aquarium.
3.
Ease of installation and use While someone can help you with installing the filter, most of the maintenance will be done by you.
Check if you will be able to clean the device without help from an expert.
The water filter is an important component of the aquarium.
Once you have chosen a canister filter, learn the proper way to maintain it in order to prevent any danger from happening to your pets.