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by Santaanacanyon on July 16th, 2003

Santaanacanyon

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Which is the best type of filter for an aquarium?

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  • by Santaanacanyon on July 16th, 2003

    Santaanacanyon

    The biological filter, also called the "undergravel filter."
    The undergravel filter uses bacteria in the gravel to purify the water. Two types of bacteria exist in the gravel layer. The first feed on ammonia, which is what fish "waste" mostly is. The bacteria "convert" ammonia into nitrite. The second type of bacteria feed on these nitrites and convert them into nitrates, which is harmless to the fish.
    This type of filter never wears out, never needs a cartridge changed, and requires only a 25 percent water change of the tank twice a year. This also keeps the fish healthier because major water changes tend to "shock" the fish and make them vulnerable to disease.

    Comments

    • No filter, especially a dirty one like a UGF, removes the need for water changes. Water changes should be done regularly.

      Fred Krutcher

      by Fred Krutcher on January 21st, 2004

    • Nitrate is LESS harmful yes harmless no and anyone who does 25% water changes twice a year is going to run into trouble

      Mike Smith

      by Mike Smith on June 7th, 2004

    • UGFs are not recommend in the modern aquarium, they clog too easily and offer poor mechanical filtration.

      Novarius

      by Novarius on May 12th, 2006

    • I use UGF's in some of my less populated tanks, and they work great for that type of set up.

      In nature, fish have a pretty much continual cycling of water. Regular water changes (25% a week) are one of the absolute best ways to keep fish healthy! As long as temperature is matched, and dechlorinator is used, there is very little shock to the fish. Sometimes when I have diseased fish (usually after purchasing a new fish without isolating it), I will just bump the temperature up a bit, and change about 25% of the water every day for ten days. This will often effect a cure on its own.

      The days of thinking "yellow water" aquariums (rare water changes) ended many years ago.

      I know some of my fellow Discus keepers change 50% of the water every single day, and the fish are so happy with it that they breed regularly. Generally no water changes = no breeding for most difficult species. Many often breed right after a water change.

      Tveg

      by Tveg on January 7th, 2009

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