To create a favorable habitat for fish in an artificial reservoir, you should decide which one is better to buy a purifier for an aquarium - an internal filter or an external filter, and to do this, evaluate their advantages and disadvantages, and know what to look for when buying equipment.
Purification of water and maintaining a normal level of ecological balance is necessary to ensure a comfortable habitat for fish. Special equipment - filters for aquariums - helps to eliminate contaminants from uneaten and processed food by underwater inhabitants. Filtration of water is carried out by passing contaminated water from the aquarium through fillers that retain contamination and returning the purified water back to the aquarium. Water pressure and air flow create a normal balance of temperature and oxygen in the water.
Content
What should you look for when buying a filter?
When choosing equipment for the home, aquarists tend to purchase a device that cleans water efficiently and quickly, and does not make much noise. To avoid mistakes when choosing a filter, you need to consider the following equipment features:
- Performance, power;
- Reliability;
- Design features, location in the aquarium;
- Filtration methods;
- Availability of additional equipment;
- Cost.
Performance
Higher performance filters are needed for aquariums if they:
- a large number of fish live;
- contains inhabitants digging in the ground;
- fish live that need a high oxygen content in the water;
- contains cold water fish;
- there are no aquatic plants or there are few of them;
- individuals living in an aquarium are large, carnivorous or carnivorous;
- if the aquarium is narrow and deep, as a result of which there is poor air flow.
The power of the filter must ensure a sufficient volume of water pumping: all water must be pumped at least 2 - 4 times per hour, depending on how many inhabitants and plants are in the aquarium.
Reliability
The filter must work constantly, because beneficial bacteria and microorganisms that decompose waste very quickly die when there is a lack of oxygen; the anaerobic microbes that do not need oxygen release methane, hydrogen sulfide, and ammonia into the aquatic environment, quickly transforming the filter into a source of toxic elements. Therefore, it is so important to install reliable, trouble-free equipment.
Design features, location in the aquarium
The location of the filter is considered depending on the capacity of the aquarium and the volume of water to be treated. Types of filters by location in the aquarium: internal, external, hinged, bottom.
Internal filters are simple: glass construction plus a small pump. They contain a filter material (sponge), contaminated water is passed through it, and, purified, is thrown out through the upper opening.The filter material is cleaned from time to time, and when worn out, it is replaced with a new one. Inexpensive internal filters are most commonly used in home aquariums and are popular for their inexpensive price and cleaning efficiency. They should be placed in small, less than 100 liters of water, aquariums. The disadvantage of the device is that it takes up part of the aquarium, thus reducing its usable area.
The external filter is not located inside the aquarium, but outside it. The contaminated water is sucked into a filter canister located near the aquarium, passed through cleaning media, and poured back into the aquarium. The performance of such a filter is much higher than the internal one, as a result of which it is used in larger aquariums. The convenience of such a filter is in maintaining a useful area inside the aquarium. The device is also suitable for cleaning very small artificial reservoirs, where there is no place for an internal filter.
It is possible to choose the option where the device is fixed on the aquarium, and the filter itself is located in the water - hinged, but this reduces the illumination of the aquarium, also in the case of its use, CO2 escapes, as a result of which hinged filters are not in demand.
Another option suitable for small aquariums is a bottom filter. In this case, tubes and a filter element are located at the bottom of the aquarium - a plate that is sprinkled with soil on top. Water, rising up through the filtrate and soil, undergoes double purification. This cleaning method prevents soil acidification. The disadvantages of such a filter are low productivity and inconvenience of installation and maintenance.
Cost of equipment
If you consider the purchase of a filter in terms of economy, then you can choose an internal filter, because such purifiers are much cheaper than external filters. The most budget filters are those that carry out only mechanical water purification.
Many devices are equipped with additional functions and have various capabilities:
- carry out comprehensive water purification (mechanical, chemical and biological treatment);
- heat water and maintain the temperature balance;
- direct the flow of water in a given direction and create different currents;
- carry out aeration and UV sterilization of water.
Filters with additional functions have a higher price.
Let's compare the functionality of the internal filter and the external filter, their advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages of internal filtering devices:
- devices are inexpensive, the cost forms additional functionality and power characteristics, their average price is 1,500 thousand rubles;
- sufficient performance for fast water purification;
- safety in terms of insurance against water leakage from the aquarium due to breakage;
- ease of maintenance: they only change the cartridge and the sponge is washed;
- quiet operation - the noise of the motor is drowned out by the water in which the device is located;
- the presence of an aerator in almost all models;
- small dimensions;
- uncomplicated maintenance, ease of use.
Disadvantages of internal filters:
- reduces the useful area of the aquarium;
- not all models produce chemical water treatment;
- short service life due to the maximum load during operation;
- the volume of the cartridge is small, so frequent cleaning of the filter element is necessary - about once a week and once a month cleaning of the internal mechanism (due to prolonged stay under water, bacterial mucus accumulates on the equipment).
The advantages of external filters:
- does not take up useful space in the aquarium;
- convenient equipment cleaning and maintenance;
- complex water purification;
- different filter media can be used;
- the filter itself is cleaned much less frequently than when using internal ones.
Disadvantages of external filters:
- noisy work of some models;
- volumetric;
- the cost is higher than that of internal filters.
Filtration method and filter materials:
- Mechanical cleaning (water is driven through a filter sponge, on which food residues, organic matter - waste products of fish, dead parts of aquatic plants).
- Chemical cleaning - filtration through aquarium charcoal, ion exchange resins (zeolite). Being absorbents, they absorb accumulating harmful substances.
- Biological cleaning - using bio-fillers (ceramic balls, rings). On bio-fillers, colonies of beneficial bacteria grow, which carry out biological water purification.
Most popular and purchased filter models
When choosing equipment for an aquarium, it is difficult to say which company is better to buy a filter, the market offers many models that have proven themselves in the process of operation. Below are the most popular models:
Internal filters
Asap 300
ASAP filters have a unique design and original construction. The upper part of the filter is a glass with a filter filler, complete with a sponge, which provides complete water purification and colonization with beneficial bacteria. The standard sponge can be changed to a sponge impregnated with a filler that removes excess phosphates.
Advantages:
- high performance;
- easy maintenance;
- minimum immersion depth (up to 5 cm);
- The falling stream of water intensively supplies the water with oxygen.
Disadvantages:
- not identified.
Aquael Turbo Filter Professional
Turbo offers four models: 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 (the digital value is the maximum indicator of how much water the device can pass through in 1 hour).
Advantages:
- high performance;
- does not create noise;
- full saturation of water with oxygen even at great depths;
- high quality filtration - two-level biological: the filter is equipped with a container for any filler and a fine-porous filtering sponge that does not require frequent cleaning;
- equipped with BIOCERAMAX 600 filler, which destroys nitrites and ammonium;
- pressure power is adjustable;
- maintains a normal oxygen level at great depths;
- no difficulty in installation and maintenance.
Disadvantages:
- hinders the development of beneficial microorganisms.
Aleas IPF-6200L
A modern, reliable, very efficient device with increased water purification, equipped with 2 cartridges. The multifunctional filter provides comprehensive filtration, circulation and aeration. Can be used for fresh and sea water. Aleas filters with increased purification are presented in models with various capacities - it is possible to choose for any volume of the aquarium.
Advantages:
- high performance, low noise and energy efficiency;
- multilevel biological filtration system and increased volume of filtering material;
- the set includes a nozzle for aeration.
Disadvantages:
- the model is expensive.
AquaEl FAN
The reliable, easy-to-use, efficient AquaEl FAN are popular among aquarists.
Advantages:
- low energy consumption with high performance;
- original filter material (phenol-free sponge), which is actively colonized by bacteria, ensuring complete processing of organic waste and nitrogen compounds, reducing their toxicity.
Disadvantages:
- noisy when aerating.
Eheim aquaball
The uniqueness of the filter is in the spherical head: the water flow can be directed in any direction. The design allows you to flush the compartments separately, the clogging of one does not affect the functionality of the entire filter. The package includes a compartment that can be filled with any filtrate. There is a nozzle for aeration and a "flute" to distribute the flow of water.
Advantages:
- adjustable direction of water flow;
- ease of maintenance.
Disadvantages:
- fastening suction cups are prone to loss of elasticity.
Aqua Szut Super Mini
The compact size of the filter and the capacity that can be adjusted can provide aeration and purification of water in a volume of 10 to 80 liters.
Advantages:
- small size;
- reduced noise level;
- can work when installed horizontally or vertically;
- combined treatment (mechanical and biological);
- high cleaning efficiency through a sponge cartridge;
- intensive oxygenation thanks to the well thought-out pump design.
Disadvantages:
- not identified.
Fluval
Fluval devices have been present on the aquarium equipment market for a long time, having proven themselves to be of high quality. The best selling of the Fluval filters is the Fluval 4 Plus range of models. The high popularity is due to the large set of functions necessary for high-quality filtering. Equipped with a two-piece cartridge filled with synthetic sponge plates. The design of the cartridge reduces the possibility of dirt accumulated on the sponge entering the aquarium when it is removed. Filter maintenance - filler flushing and rotor and impeller cleaning every 2 - 3 months.
Advantages:
- modern design;
- the design of the outlet pipe makes it possible to change the direction of the flow of purified water;
- adjustable performance of the device;
- ease of service;
- the presence of an indicator showing when the filter needs cleaning
Disadvantages:
- fast clogging of filter elements.
Dennerle Nano Clean Eckfilter
Corner filter for small aquariums. It has narrow openings for water intake, which is safe for young individuals.
Advantages:
- two filter compartments provide high-quality filtration;
- regulation of the direction of water flow;
- high performance, energy saving;
- quiet at work.
Disadvantages:
- there are no aeration devices;
- suction cups are prone to loss of elasticity.
External filters, best models:
Tetra EX Plus filters, thanks to modern technology, reliably, safely remove all contaminants from the water. Manufacturers present models with different power and performance.
Tetratec EX 600 Plus
Filter for aquariums 60 - 120 liters. The complete set of this powerful filter provides quick and easy installation of equipment and high-quality water purification, thanks to five filter elements with fillers. The equipment runs very quietly at high machine power.
Advantages:
- filter elements differ in a simple cleaning process;
- a water pumping system is provided for starting;
- equipped with valves for pressure regulation and adjustable hose connections;
- there is a pre-filtering function.
Disadvantages:
- not identified.
Eheim
Filters of this brand are firmly entrenched in the product market, constantly being supplemented with new functions. Reliable devices, easy to maintain. Some models have the ability to connect to a computer. Complete with all installation and connection accessories. Includes: sponges and pads for coarse and fine cleaning, ceramics and filler for biological cleaning.
EHEIM 2073 professional are the best selling Eheim filters. The filter design includes separately refillable filter media containers. There is an independent pumping button. Equipped with original fillers.
Advantages:
- high quality at a reasonable price;
- silent work;
- long term of uninterrupted work;
- design feature excludes the possibility of leakage;
- the presence of a pre-filter that is easy to clean and prolongs the life of the fillers;
- ease of maintenance;
- economical energy consumption.
Disadvantages:
- not found.
Sera Fil Bioactive
Simple and reliable filters with built-in UV sterilizer.Convenient containers provide easy access and maintenance, the possibility of high-quality packing of filter materials.
Advantages:
- the built-in UV lamp irradiates the water in the filter with UV radiation, as a result of which pathogens and parasites die, the growth of algae is reduced;
- long service life;
- quiet engine operation.
Disadvantages:
- not found.
Aqua Design Amano (ADA) Super Jet Filter ES-600
Ranked highest in the ranking of quality aquarium filters. Powerful, high-tech, provides high-quality mechanical, biological and chemical water purification, oxygenates and correctly distributes the water flow in the aquarium. Case material - stainless steel. A connected pump reduces the harmful effects of electromagnetic waves on beneficial microorganisms.
Advantages:
- reliability and durability of equipment;
- complex filtration (3 methods);
- creating a favorable ecological environment in the aquarium.
Disadvantages:
- high price.
| Main technical characteristics of aquarium filters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| name | power | Bandwidth | Aquarium volume (l) | Manufacturer country |
| Internal filters | ||||
| Aguael Asap 300 | 4.2 watts | 300l / h | 10-100 | Poland |
| Aquael Turbo 500 | 4.4 watts | 500 l / h | up to 150 | Poland |
| Aleas IPF-6200L | 22 watts | 1500l / h | up to 400 | China |
| AquaEl FAN-2 plus | up to 40 | 450 l / h | 100 - 150 | Poland |
| Eheim aquaball 180 | 6 watts | 650 l / h | up to 180 | Germany |
| Aqua Szut Super Mini 360 | 3 watts | 360 l / h | 30 - 80 | Poland |
| Sera Fil Bioactive 130 | 11 watts | 300 l / h | 130 | Germany |
| Hagen Fluval 4 Plus | 10 watts | 100 l / h | 215 | Italy |
| Dennerle Nano Clean Eckfilter. | 2 watts | 150 l / h | 18.02.1900 | Germany |
| External Filters | ||||
| Tetratec EX 600 Plus | Germany | |||
| Eheim 2073 professional | 1050 l / h | 1050 l / h | 180-350 | Germany |
| Aqua Design Amano (ADA) Super Jet Filter ES-600 | 27 l / min | 650 | Japan | |
With the correct choice of an aquarium filter, it is necessary, in addition to taking into account the requirements for the filter, not to overlook the individual characteristics of the inhabitants of the aquarium. Competent selection of equipment and proper care for it will provide a comfortable life for your pets.
