Tips on How To Maintain A Proper Filtration System

The purpose of fitting a filter into your aquarium is to remove excess food and free-floating particles, decaying organic matter, harmful chemicals and the fishes’ waste products from the water.

Fish excrete waste constantly. If this waste is allowed to accumulate, it becomes processed into toxic matter, which rapidly builds up. A high concentration of toxins in the water will poison the fish, and may eventually kill them.

It is therefore vital for the health of your fish that you equip your aquarium with a proper filtration system. Not only does a good filtration system improve your aquarium’s appearance, it also reduces the amount of care required to keep your fish happy and healthy.

With a good filtration system in place, you only need a 10 to 15 percent water change once a week, as compared with an 80 to 90 percent water change necessary for an unfiltered aquarium to stay viable.

Tip #1 How To Keep Your Aquarium Clean

However, having a good filtration system is no excuse to shirk on tank maintenance. Fish still need proper feeding, tank cleaning, water changes and regular inspection for injuries, stress, disease or any other problems.

Many varieties of filters are available, including submersible and non-submersible models. You should select one, or more, to suit your filtration needs and the type of fish you keep. Having best results, and provides a backup in case of equipment failure.

Tip #2 How To Clean The Filters

The proper method of cleaning a filter depends on what it is supposed to be doing.

Mechanical filters need to be replaced regularly, and the media used with them have to be cleaned of accumulated gunk. If not, they will contaminate the water.

Chemical filtration medium does not require cleaning.

Many mechanical filters host a large number of beneficial bio-filtration bacteria. Be careful not to destroy these bacteria colonies. If your filter has more than one compartment of filter pad, replace only one at a time. This way, the bacteria colonies in the other portions of the filter media remain unharmed.

The bio-filter is also a mechanical filter, as with sponge filters, the medium must be cleaned without destroying the bio-filter. The best way to do this is to squeeze the sponge gently in a bucket of aquarium water to dislodge the dirt clogging the pores.

If carbon is the medium used for bio-filtration, rinse it clean in a pail of aquarium water when it gets dirty. If carbon is used for chemical filtration, it should be replaced regularly (every four to six weeks).

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