FOR ORDER ABOVE SGD100
Filter Equipment
Diving into the world of aquatics isn't just about selecting the right fish; it's equally crucial to curate an environment in which they can flourish. Central to this ecosystem is the aquarium’s filter and associated equipment. These tools work in tandem to maintain water quality, ensuring your aquatic pets have a clean, safe, and hospitable environment. Let's delve into the significance of these components and understand their role in nurturing a vibrant aquatic haven.
Aquarium Filter vs Air Pump – What’s the Difference?
In an aquarium, the water is managed by two essential components: filters and air pumps, each serving a distinct purpose. Tank filters are responsible for cleansing the water, diligently removing debris, harmful substances, and facilitating the growth of nitrifying bacteria. This comprehensive filtration process ensures a safe and clean environment for the aquarium's inhabitants, promoting the well-being of fish and other aquatic invertebrates.
On the other hand, air pumps, in conjunction with air stones or diffusers, focus on aeration, a vital aspect of aquatic life. These pumps introduce tiny bubbles into the tank water, creating surface agitation. This turbulence allows for the exchange of gases, enabling the crucial absorption of oxygen by fish while permitting the escape of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. It's important to note that air pumps do not perform water cleaning duties akin to filters.
To maintain a thriving and balanced aquarium, it is advisable to utilise both filters and air pumps. This combination ensures not only pristine water quality but also the necessary oxygen levels essential for the health and respiration of your tank’s inhabitants.
Aquarium Filter Types
Aquarium filters come in three main kinds: biological, chemical, and mechanical.
Mechanical Filters
They work by catching and holding dirt and tiny particles, stopping them from moving around the tank. Examples include sponges and foam pads.
Biological Filters
These use nitrifying bacteria (Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacters) to change harmful substances like ammonia and nitrites into safer forms. They help keep the tank environment stable and safe for fish.
Chemical Filters
These use materials like activated carbon to clean the water by removing unwanted smells, chemicals, and other impurities.
Each filter type is important for a healthy aquarium. Picking the right combination based on your tank's size and needs ensures clean and clear water for your fish.
Internal vs External Aquarium Filters - Pros & Cons
Internal and external tank filters are key components for maintaining aquarium water cleanliness. Internal filters, positioned within the tank, offer versatility and are available for various aquarium sizes. They may be visible but provide effective filtration. In contrast, external filters are commonly chosen for medium to large aquariums, often placed beneath the tank to maintain the aquarium's aesthetic appeal. It's important to consider the specific requirements of your aquarium when selecting between internal and external filters, as both options have their unique advantages and considerations:
Internal Filters
- Advantages: Ideal for smaller aquariums, more affordable, simple installation, occupies little space, provides a gentle flow of water, fits basic set-ups well.
- Disadvantages: Restricted filtration capacity, may need regular upkeep, less suitable for larger or densely populated fish tanks.
External Filters
- Advantages: Greater filtration capacity, top-notch cleaning ability, appropriate for medium to large aquariums or intricate set-ups, improved water circulation, enhanced water clarity, less routine maintenance needed.
- Disadvantages: Pricier, slightly more complex installation, occupies space outside the tank, robust water flow might unsettle shy fish, external parts need consistent cleaning.
Choosing the Right Aquarium Filters and Types of Filtration
Maintaining aquarium cleanliness can be challenging due to the confined space compared to the open waters of the biotopes that these fish live in. In natural biotopes, the water is self-purified, but in an aquarium, specific equipment such as filters becomes necessary. As previously mentioned, there are three primary filtration methods: mechanical, chemical, and biological. Ideally, a filter that performs all three functions is preferable to ensure the well-being of your aquarium inhabitants.
Additionally, aesthetics play a significant role in filter selection. If your aquarium is a prominent feature in your room's décor, you may prefer a filter that hangs on the back of the tank to preserve the unobstructed view. Conversely, for breeding tanks, a simple internal sponge filter is suitable, as its gentle intake is well-suited for nurturing fish fry.
Another important consideration is the filter's water processing capacity per hour. For example, if you have a 76-litre aquarium, you should aim for a filter capable of processing between 300 to 450 litres per hour. This ensures that the water in your tank undergoes multiple cleaning cycles throughout the day.
Aquarium Filter for Large Fish Tank
For larger aquariums, it's essential to have a highly efficient filtration system. A larger tank often means more water, more fish, and more waste. So, you might need a more powerful filter to handle it all. Sometimes, using two filters can be beneficial for optimum cleaning and circulation. This ensures that all parts of the tank get the filtration they need, keeping your fish happy and the water clear. The externally placed canister filter is a popular choice for larger fish tanks, as it is known for its excellent filtration capacity and versatility. Canister filters are designed to handle the increased demands of larger aquariums, providing robust mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration. Their spacious media chambers can accommodate a variety of filter media, allowing for thorough water purification and customisation based on your specific tank needs. By using two canister filters strategically placed in your larger fish tank, you can achieve optimal water quality, circulation, and clarity, ensuring the well-being of your fish and the overall health of your aquatic ecosystem.
Do You Need Both an Aquarium Filter and a Pump for a Fish Tank?
As previously discussed, filters and pumps serve essential yet distinct roles in an aquarium. While not every aquarium necessarily requires an air pump, a filter is indispensable for maintaining water quality. Filters are responsible for removing waste, debris, and harmful substances, ensuring a healthy environment for fish and other aquatic inhabitants in your tank.
In contrast, an aquarium air pump enhances surface water circulation, promoting oxygen exchange and supporting fish health while preventing water stagnation. While certain circumstances may allow for an aquarium without an air pump, as long as adequate circulation is maintained, a filter remains consistently essential for preserving water purity and clarity.
However, having both a pump and a filter typically provides a comprehensive approach to maintaining the overall health and well-being of your aquarium.
At East Ocean Aquatic, we pride ourselves on offering a top-notch selection of fish tank filters and air pumps to suit every aquarist's needs in Singapore. Whether you're setting up a new tank or enhancing an existing one, our products offer efficiency and reliability. Plus, our knowledgeable team is always on hand to provide guidance, ensuring you select the best equipment for your specific setup.
Read More
-
NT LABS
NT LABS Aquarium Activated Carbon 120g
$14.60| /“Comprehensive and easy to use, I often like to have a couple of bottles of Anti-Internal Bacteria treatment or Disease Solve to hand. Nice to know...
View full details -
ANS
ANS Nano Sphere 1.5kg (super porous filtration media)
$23.00| /ANS Nano sphere (filtration media)Beneficial bacteria builder ! Maximise your filtration space by using nano sphere! Suitable for freshwater and sa...
View full details -
JBL
JBL CristalProfi (M) Greenline FilterPad 2x
$13.50| /Clean, healthy water: spare sponge for the JBL CristalProfi m Internal Filter. Easy to use: simply press the sponge into the internal filter from...
View full details -
Aquaforest
Aquaforest Life Bio Fil (250/1200/5000ml) (highly porous filtration media)
from $15.00| /With live beneficial bacteria included! Highly porous for maximum filtration. Initiates and supports the nitrification process Life Bio Fil is a n...
View full details -
SUNSUN
SUNSUN CHJ-602/902/1502 Spare wool replacement (2PCS/pkt)
$3.60| /SUNSUN CHJ-602 Spare wool replacement (2PCS/pkt) SUNSUN CHJ-902 Spare wool replacement (2PCS/pkt) SUNSUN CHJ-1502 Spare wool replacement (2PCS/pkt)
-
UP Aqua
UP AQUA G-059F FILTER CARTRIDGE (2pcs/pack)
$5.60| /Triple Filter Cartridge replace - 2pcs/pack High-quality sponge Biological sponge Activated carbon
-
Continuum
CONTINUUM EXXODUS-BAC CUBES
from $40.00| /Extremely porous filtration medium Highest surface area of any filtration medium in the world Suitable for marine aquariums and hard freshwater aq...
View full details -
JBL
JBL Carbomec Activ 450g (Phosphate free Activated Carbon)
$19.60| /Removal of residual medications, discolouration of the water and high molecular organic impurities: high performance activated carbon for the use ...
View full details -
JBL
JBL Clearmec Plus 1Litre (Remove Nitrate And Phosphate)
$18.00| /Removal of nitrite, nitrate and phosphate from the aquarium: filter medium for the use inside aquarium filters. To use: material is already pack...
View full details -
JBL
JBL Phos EX Ultra (Remove phosphate)
$21.60| /Filter material for the removal of phosphate from aquarium water Removal of phosphate from aquariums: filter material for the use in aquarium fi...
View full details -
JBL
JBL SintoMec 450g
$25.00| /Biological breakdown of pollutants in fresh and saltwater aquariums: sintered bio-glass rings for the use in aquariums. Easy to use: insert bio-f...
View full details -
Continuum
CONTINUUM Exxodus Phosphyx Cubes
from $57.00| /Highest surface area of any filtration medium in the world Extremely porous filtration medium designed to be used in all aquariums and aquatic sys...
View full details -
Aquaforest
Aquaforest ZEOmix (1000/5000ml)
from $19.00| /Specially selected blend of zeolites particularly recommended in tanks with plentiful livestock and or ULNS tanks. Due to carefully designed compos...
View full details -
Orca Labs
ORCA LABS Diamond-Carbon ULTRA (500ml - 1L)
from $18.00| /High-Capacity, Broad-Range Activated Carbon High-Capacity, Broad-Range Activated Carbon Large surface area for improved Organic Waste absorption ...
View full details -
Oase
OASE Vitronic replacement parts
$33.00| /Pos. Product SKU 1 Spare UVC electonics Vitronic 18 W 35839 2 Replacement bulb UVC 18 W 56236 3 Quartz glass D44 x 398 with rim 21763 4 ...
View full details -
JBL
JBL CristalProfi (M) Greenline
$52.00| /Clean and healthy aquarium water: mat filter incl. pump and water return wide jet pipe for aquariums of 20 – 80 l volume. Easy to install: clean ...
View full details -
JBL
JBL Filter CristalProfi (i60/i80/i100/i200)
from $65.00| /JBL CristalProfi i60 Performance: 300-800L/HrWatt: 11wattGross weight: 1042gNet weight: 890gPackaging dimensions (l/h/w): 116/180/140mm JBL Cri...
View full details -
QANVEE
QANVEE Sponge Filter / Sponge Replacements (YX-300 / YX-600)
from $1.80| /QANVEE Sponge Filter / Sponge Replacements (YX-300 / YX-600) Ultra-thin design, saving in-cylinder space. Both mechanical and biological filterin...
View full details