Post by Bumblebee on Aug 17, 2005 16:16:54 GMT 10
What does a filter do?
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so what does a filter do for your fish?
A filter usually consists of several main parts be it a cannister, sponge, undergravel or electric.
No.1 power
the first and most important is the power source. This is what drives the water through the filter medium in your filter. this can be a moving stream of bubble, such as under gravel and corner filters or an Impeller (small fan) such as in cannisters or electric filters. impellers should be frequently cleaned of sludge and air pipes kept clear of algae build up.
No.2 Filter media
Filter media is the material that fills up the main body of the filter. Is main purpose is to remove debris from the water (poop, food, debris) but it also has several other important functions such as cleaning water of chemicles and providing a home for beneficial bacteria. there are three main kinds of media:
A: Mechanical, this removes large particles from the water such as poop and food, this is usually cotton or a sponge
B: Chemical, this chemicly purifies water by bonding to or absorbing toxins. The most common is zeolite or charcole.
C: Biological, provides a large surface area for beneficial bacteria to cling to while they break down (eat) harmful chemicles. this is usually in the form of ceramic noodles or plastic bio-balls.
no.3 The casing
The shell that the media and power source fits into. all entry and exits should be frequently checked for blockage, especially intake and outlets.
other use:
some will also airate the water by disturbing the surface of the water, this may be through a spraybar, trickle or bubbles released from the filter
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so what does a filter do for your fish?
A filter usually consists of several main parts be it a cannister, sponge, undergravel or electric.
No.1 power
the first and most important is the power source. This is what drives the water through the filter medium in your filter. this can be a moving stream of bubble, such as under gravel and corner filters or an Impeller (small fan) such as in cannisters or electric filters. impellers should be frequently cleaned of sludge and air pipes kept clear of algae build up.
No.2 Filter media
Filter media is the material that fills up the main body of the filter. Is main purpose is to remove debris from the water (poop, food, debris) but it also has several other important functions such as cleaning water of chemicles and providing a home for beneficial bacteria. there are three main kinds of media:
A: Mechanical, this removes large particles from the water such as poop and food, this is usually cotton or a sponge
B: Chemical, this chemicly purifies water by bonding to or absorbing toxins. The most common is zeolite or charcole.
C: Biological, provides a large surface area for beneficial bacteria to cling to while they break down (eat) harmful chemicles. this is usually in the form of ceramic noodles or plastic bio-balls.
no.3 The casing
The shell that the media and power source fits into. all entry and exits should be frequently checked for blockage, especially intake and outlets.
other use:
some will also airate the water by disturbing the surface of the water, this may be through a spraybar, trickle or bubbles released from the filter
