Aquarium external filter

An aquarium external filter is an indispensable tool for maintaining the cleanliness of the aquarium water. Its main element is a pump that draws water from the aquarium through tubing into the filter itself, whereupon it is cleaned up and returned back to the tank. This external filter can be located outside of the aquarium, thus creating more space inside while also allowing for larger filter media that promote improved water quality. External filters are capable of removing dirt and debris from the water, as well as providing biological filtration, chemical filtration, and aeration, hence making them popular among aquarists.

In addition to their superior filtration capabilities, external filters also have a number of other advantages. Firstly, they are designed to be powerful, which means that they can be used on big tanks or those with high stocking densities. Secondly, the larger filter media capacity allows for longer intervals between maintenance schedules. Moreover, some models are equipped with adjustable flow rates that enable aquarists to customize the water current according to the needs of their fish species. Also, external filters operate at low noise levels, so they are virtually silent when working, thus not disturbing either the occupants within the aquarium or their owners.

Types of aquarium external filters

The market for external filters offers different types that serve various aquarists' needs. The most common type is the canister filter, which is known for its versatility and efficiency. It usually comprises a sealed container that houses multiple filter media such as foam, activated carbon, and ceramic rings. Water is drawn from the tank into the canister via a pump, where it passes through the various filter media before being returned back into the aquarium. Canister filters are applicable to both freshwater and saltwater tanks of different sizes and can be customized with various filter media for mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration. They are ideal for large aquariums and provide strong filtration.

Moreover, there are also power filters, otherwise called hang-on-back (HOB) filters. They are designed to hang on the back of the aquarium and are popular among beginners due to their simplicity and ease of installation. Power filters draw water into the filter through a submerged pump and then release it back into the tank. This type of filter is suitable for smaller aquariums and provides effective mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration. The media typically used in power filters include sponge for mechanical filtration, activated carbon for chemical filtration, and filter pads or cartridges for biological filtration. They are easy to maintain and replace media.

Meanwhile, there are also sponge filters, which are mostly common in small tanks, fry tanks, or hospital tanks. Their main mechanism of action is through a sponge, which serves as a site for biological filtration, providing a large surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize and break down harmful ammonia and nitrite produced by fish waste. This type of filter is powered either by an air pump or a motor. They are affordable, easy to use, and maintain, hence ideal for low-flow water environments. Nevertheless, they might not be suitable for larger tanks since their filtration capacity is limited.

Designs of aquarium external filter

There is a wide variety of external aquarium filters in terms of design. Different designs can meet different filtration needs, and each design has its advantages and disadvantages.

• Canister Filters

  Canister external aquarium filters are the most popular type. They usually come with multiple filter media. They filter water through biological, mechanical, and chemical filtration. The filter water passes through different filter media, including foam pads, charcoal, and ceramic rings. The size and shape of canister filters make them suitable for aquariums of different sizes. They are placed outside the aquarium. They work by creating a vacuum inside the canister. The vacuum draws water into the filter through the intake tube. An electric motor drives the impeller to create the vacuum. It usually has adjustable flow rates to customize the filtration to the needs of the aquarium.

• Hang-on-back (HOB) Filters

  HOB filters are compact and easy to install. They are suitable for smaller aquariums. They are called Hang-on-back because they hang on the back of the aquarium. They are also known as box filters. They are popular among beginners. They are affordable and user-friendly. HOB filters provide good water circulation and oxygenation. They are simple devices. They usually consist of a motor, a filter cartridge, and an adjustable flow regulator. The motor powers the impeller to draw water into the filter cartridge. Then the water is filtered through the filter media and is returned to the aquarium through the outlet pipe. HOB filters have adjustable flow rates. They can be easily installed and maintained, and they are also energy-efficient devices.

• Power Filters

  Power filters are also known as submersible filters. They are fully submerged in the aquarium water. They are usually placed at the bottom of the aquarium. They are small in size and easy to install. They are suitable for aquariums with limited space. They are also popular among beginners because of their affordability and ease of use. Power filters are usually equipped with adjustable flow rates. They are energy-efficient devices that consume less energy during operation.

• Undergravel Filters

  Undergravel filters are unique. They are installed under the substrate at the bottom of the aquarium. They are powered by an air pump or a water pump. The pump creates an upward current that draws water through the gravel substrate. This current generates the suction. Water is filtered through the gravel and the filter media. Then clean water is returned to the aquarium. Undergravel filters provide good biological filtration. They are easy to maintain. They are also energy-efficient devices.

Scenarios of aquarium external filters

• Freshwater Fish Tanks

  Freshwater tanks benefit from external filters as they remove fish waste, uneaten food, and debris, creating a clean and safe environment. External filters are suitable for different sizes of freshwater tanks and provide a variety of filtration media, such as sponge, ceramic rings, and activated carbon, to promote biological filtration that keeps beneficial bacteria and helps break down harmful ammonia and nitrite. The adjustable flow rate of the external filter can be used to meet the requirements of different kinds of fish and plants, and it is also known to run quietly, thus reducing disturbance to the aquatic habitat. In addition, the external filter can be placed outside the aquarium, and this will free up space inside the aquarium, which is useful for adding decorations and plants and also provides a more aesthetic look. External filters are also known for their durability and long service life, which makes them cost-effective in the long run.

• Marine Saltwater Aquariums

  Marine saltwater aquariums require external filters to remove impurities and waste products, thus ensuring a clean and healthy environment for fish and invertebrates. These filters are often equipped with specialized filtration media designed for saltwater conditions. Additionally, external filters can be modified with protein skimmers, UV sterilizers, and other accessories to enhance water quality and provide additional benefits to the aquarium. This is especially important in marine aquariums, where water quality is crucial for the health of coral reefs and other delicate organisms. External filters provide a variety of filtration media, such as paper filter pads, sponge, and ceramic rings, to promote biological filtration that keeps beneficial bacteria and helps break down harmful ammonia and nitrite. The adjustable flow rate of the external filter can be used to meet the requirements of different kinds of fish and corals, and it is also known to run quietly, thus reducing disturbance to the aquatic habitat. Moreover, they are also known for their durability and long service life, which makes them cost-effective in the long run.

• Turtle Tanks and Reptile Aquariums

  Turtles and reptiles are known to be messy eaters and produce a lot of waste, thus contaminating water quickly. External filters are required in their tanks to eliminate this waste and offer a clean and healthy habitat for them. Some external filters are designed with specific filtration media that can handle the high organic load and are capable of withstanding the more alkaline pH levels that are usually found in reptile and turtle tanks. In addition, some external filters can also be fitted with a heater or a UV sterilizer, which are two common accessories for enhancing water quality and providing additional benefits to the aquarium.

• Breeding and Fry Tanks

  In breeding and fry tanks, external filters create a clean and safe environment for developing fish. These filters offer gentle water flow, which is important for the health of young fish. Additionally, external filters are very useful in breeding tanks because they do not disturb the delicate breeding process. External filters are known to be efficient and effective in filtering water, which is important for maintaining high water quality, especially in tanks where the young fish are very sensitive to pollutants. This is particularly important in breeding tanks, where maintaining high water quality is crucial for the health of the young fish.

How to choose aquarium external filter

Choosing an external aquarium filter requires considering various factors to ensure the filter meets the aquarium's needs. Here are some points to consider:

• The size of the aquarium:

  The size of the aquarium influences the flow rate and filter capacity. Generally, the filter should have a flow rate of 3-5 times the volume of the tank per hour. For example, a 100-liter aquarium requires an external filter with a flow rate of 300-500 liters per hour.

• Type of fish and plants:

  The type of fish and plants in the aquarium also influences the choice of external filters. If there are many fish or if there are sensitive species, a stronger filtration system is required. Also, planted aquariums need filters that can keep carbon dioxide and nutrients dissolved in the water.

• Filter media:

  External filters usually have different filtering media, such as sponge, activated carbon, ceramic rings, etc. It is best to choose filters with multi-stage filtration systems so that fish waste, fine particles, and dissolved substances can be removed from the water separately. When choosing a filter, one should pay attention to the type and quantity of filtering materials inside it. Some filters allow users to add their own filtering materials to improve the filtering effect.

• Noise level:

  The noise level of the filter is also an important factor to consider. Some external filters produce a lot of noise when working, which will disturb fish and their owners. If the aquarium is located in a quiet place, such as a bedroom, then a filter with low noise is needed. When choosing a filter, one should pay attention to its noise level. Usually, the noise level of external filters are described in dB. A noise level below 30 dB is generally considered acceptable.

• Power consumption:

  Power consumption is also an important factor to consider. External filters usually consume a lot of electricity, so one should choose energy-efficient models. When choosing a filter, one should pay attention to its power consumption. The power consumption of most external filters is described in watts (W). Filters with a power consumption of less than 40W are generally considered energy-saving models.

Q&A

Q1: Why is an aquarium external filter needed?

A1: The aquarium external filter helps keep the water clean, fresh, and safe for fish by removing dirt and waste. It also makes the water flow like a natural habitat and provides a space for helpful bacteria that clean the water.

Q2: What are the benefits of using an aquarium external filter?

A2: The advantages of using an aquarium external filter include efficient filtration, adjustable flow rates, and reduced noise levels. They have large filter media capacity, which allows for customized filtration, and they are usually placed outside the tank, thus saving space and minimizing noise.

Q3: How does an aquarium external filter work?

A3: This device sucks dirty water into it with a pump, then passes through various filter materials that take out dirt and waste, and finally puts back clean water into the aquarium.

Q4: What types of filtration are found in aquarium external filters?

A4: Aquarium external filters have mechanical, biological, and chemical filtrations. The mechanical filter gets rid of big stuff like dirt and dust; the biological filter uses special materials to help useful bacteria break down fish waste, and the chemical one removes dissolved impurities using substances like charcoal.

Q5: How often should the filter media be changed or cleaned?

A5: To keep the filter working well, it is usually advised to change the filter media every month but only clean them once a month so that beneficial bacteria are not disturbed.