09 Power filters
Description
This article is from the Aquaria: Filters FAQ, by Bruce Hallman.
09 Power filters
Most people agree that power filters are much easier to maintain and
can be as economical as undergravel filters. There are many styles of
power filters, but the most common hangs on the back of the tank. A
siphon tube pulls water from the tank into the filter box and passes
the water though a mechanical filter (typically a porous foam sponge).
The sponge doubles as a biological filter. A internal pump then
returns the filtered water into the aquarium. These power filters come
in many sizes suited for small to large aquariums.
The foam sponge can be easily inspected for clogging or removed for
cleaning. You must clean the sponge regularly to remove the solid
wastes before they decompose and dissolve back into the water. It is
quite important that when you clean the porous foam that you do not
kill the bacteria colony through the use of detergents, very hot or
very cold water. A safe and easy way is to rinse the foam sponge in
the bucket into which you have just drained some tank water during
your regular water change routine.
Power filters now come with all sorts of fancy ``features''. Most
allow placement of a chemical filtering media, typically granular
activated carbon, in the water path.
Another development in the last few years is the ``wet-dry wheel''
(called a biowheel by one manufacturer). The beneficial bacterial
colonies that neutralize toxic ammonia require an oxygen rich
environment to grow. The ``wet-dry wheel'' passes water over a water
wheel device which sits outside (on the edge) of the aquarium. This
rotating wheel maximizes available oxygen allowing a large bacteria
colony to flourish. One drawback is that these wheels have been known
to jam, so you need to check them frequently. Other than this minor
point, the ``wet-dry wheel'' is an excellent method of providing
vigorous biological filtration.
Continue to:
My Books
