FILTRATION
Presentation on
FILTRATION
Introduction
•
What is filtration?
•
Why is filtration important?
•
What are filter media?
•
Can you name different types of filter systems?
•
Why is it important to clean and maintain filter equipment?
Filtration
What is filtration?
Aquarium filtration is the process by which water is passed through a filter
medium in order to remove physical and chemical impurities to improve the
quality of the water.
Filtration
How does filtration work?
Filtration works in a number of different ways:
•
Mechanical filtration: this involves the physical removal of waste.
•
Biological Filtration: this involves the bacteria and other biological
elements such as live plants that live in the tank and filter systems. They
help convert the toxins into less harmful substances.
•
Chemical Filtration: this involves the use of chemical elements that
actively soak up or neutralise toxins in the tank.
Filtration
How is filtration important?
•
Because fish produce waste products, their housing rapidly becomes
polluted.
•
Uneaten food contributes to the levels of pollution, as well as rotting plant
matter.
•
Filtration is therefore required in aquarium systems to reduce the level of
toxins in the water before they reach critical levels and make the fish ill.
Filtration
Filter systems
•
There are a number of different types of filter systems available.
•
Each system has different designs and levels of efficiency.
•
They all use the same basic methods to help remove waste.
•
The choice of filter will depend on the species being kept, the number of fish
in a tank, the size of the tank, volume of water and the cost.
Filtration
How do filters work?
•
Most filters involve electricity to power the
movement of water through the filter.
•
This can be separate to the filter e.g. A
pump
•
Or part of the filter e.g. an integral power
head.
•
Water is drawn through the filter over one or
more types of filter media.
•
The filtered water is then passed back into
the tank.
Filtration
Filter medium
Ceramic rings
Sponge
Filter wool
Gravel
Filter media perform two functions.
1.
2.
To trap and remove physical waste
(mechanical filtration)
To provide as big a surface as
possible for bacteria involved in the
nitrogen cycle to live and reproduce
(biological filtration)
Bio balls
3.
Filter media include such things as
ceramic rings, sponge, filter wool,
gravel, plastic bio balls and coral
sand.
Coral sand
Filtration
Filter medium
•
Some filter medium involved in the process of chemical filtration e.g. zeolite
and activated carbon are involved in the adsorption of materials from the
water (Chemical filtration)
•
They will need to be replaced regularly as they become saturated with the
toxins they have absorbed.
Zeolite
Activated carbon
Filtration
Internal power filter
•
•
•
•
•
An internal power filter fits inside the tank.
It is comprised of a hollow cylinder
Filled with filter media.
Attached to a water tight power source.
Once submerged and plugged in the power draws
water up through the base, through the media and
expels it from the top back into the tank.
To see how to set up this filter, view the video in
the filtration section.
To see how this filter works, view the animation in
the filtration section.
Filtration
External power filter
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
External filters are positioned outside the tank.
They have a large watertight power source.
This fits on top of a canister
Which is filled with filter media.
Pipes are connected from the filter to the tank.
One pipe draws water out of the tank.
The other pipe feeds filtered water back in.
To see how to set up this filter, view the video in
the filtration section.
To see how this filter works, view the animation in
the filtration section.
Filtration
Under gravel filter
•
An under gravel filter is a perforated tray that fits in the bottom of the tank.
•
In each rear corner are plastic upright tubes tank height connected to the base.
•
Gravel is placed on top of the tray and acts as the filter
medium.
•
An air line is fitted with small air stones and placed into
each tube.
•
The air line is then connected to an air pump, which
forces air down the air line.
•
Bubbles are forced out of the air stone and rise to the
surface dragging water with it.
This removes water from under the tray and causes
water to be dragged through the gravel to replace it.
•
To see how this filter works, view the animation in the filtration section.
Filtration
Sponge filter
•
This is a very simple pipe system
with a sponge attached.
•
It is powered via air line attached
to an air pump.
•
This is not as powerful as other
filters so is suitable for use in
small tanks, or with small fish fry
that might otherwise be sucked
into more powerful filters.
Filtration
Advantages and Disadvantages
Filter
Advantages
Disadvantages
Internal
power filter
Compact
Relatively cheap
Easy to use and maintain
Ideal for 60cm – 120cm tanks and
small / community fish.
Takes up room in the tank.
The larger the tank the
bigger the filter.
May be too powerful for just
hatched fry.
External
canister filter
Heavy duty copes with large volumes
of waste. Most suitable for larger
tanks and bigger fish or high
populations.
Can be costly
More difficult to clean and
maintain.
Under gravel Well hidden in the tank takes up little
filter
room.
Relatively cheap.
More difficult to clean.
Needs a power head or
pump to power it.
Filtration
Equipment Maintenance
All equipment should be checked routinely to ensure it is functioning properly.
•
As with all electrical equipment health and safety is important particularly in
close connection to water. Always disconnect the appliance before
maintenance.
•
A filter with reduced flow back into the tank may be clogged or damaged in
some way.
Filtration
Cleaning
•
Regular cleaning of filter media and power heads is essential to the upkeep
of the filter and helps removing physical waste.
•
This should be done in waste tank water, NOT TAP WATER
NEVER CLEAN FILTER MEDIUM IN TAP WATER
•
Tap water contains chlorine which kills the important nitrosomonas and
nitrobacter bacteria needed for the nitrogen cycle and the biological filtration
process.
To see how to clean filters, view the video in the filtration section.
Filtration
Water Changes
•
Periodic water changes help maintain the aquarium by actually physically
removing toxic water and nitrates from the fish’s environment.
•
The replacement water effectively dilutes the level of any remaining toxins.
•
Use of a gravel cleaner will remove physical waste from the tank.