Do you own a Betta fish aquarium or a goldfish tank? Is it properly filtered? If you think that small tanks do not need filters, think again because even a petite-sized aquarium can benefit from an efficient small aquarium filter.
If you have a goldfish aquarium, a small aquarium filter is a must. Why? Goldfishes produce loads of waste and thrive only in water that is well-aerated. Filters can help address both needs.
They can maintain the cleanliness of the aquaria and can aerate the aquarium water. Although a betta fish tank does not require as much filtration or aeration as a goldfish aquarium, filters remain beneficial as long as they do not produce very strong filter currents.
There are several types of filters currently available for small aquariums. Three common small aquarium filter choices are the Hang on Back filter (HOB), the Hang on Tank filter (HOT) and the undergravel filters (UGF).
The HOB filter is hung on the back of the aquarium, which is favorable because it maximizes the space inside. This, however, makes it difficult to place your aquarium close to the wall. How does it work? An HOB filter draws water out of the aquarium and places it into a filtration container, which takes place outside the fish tank.
Depending on the filter’s size, the aquarium water will pass through a number of filter pads before it is returned into the tank. The filters neutralize the water from harmful chemicals and toxins such as ammonia.
The HOT filter is hung inside the aquarium. The filter is accompanied by an air pump, which is placed outside the fish tank to provide steady air current that filters and aerates the water. All filtration processes occur within the aquarium. This filter can provide mechanical, chemical and biological filtration. Plus, compared to other internal and external filters, this small aquarium filter is easy to install and change.
A UGF is often included in aquarium kits. It is easy to install and is designed for beginners in the aquaria hobby. The UGF system is quite popular among hobbyists because it can filter tanks that range from as small as ten gallons to as large as a hundred gallons. How does this small aquarium filter work? It pulls the water down through the aquarium’s gravel bed. The gravel traps debris such as excess fish food, fish fecal products and any other solid particulates. It is important to vacuum the gravel substrate to remove these particles and minimize pollution.
Tags: Aeration, Ammonia, Aquaria, Aquarium Filter, Aquarium Filters, Aquarium Kits, Aquarium Water, Betta Fish, Biological Filtration, Cleanliness, Currents, External Filters, Filter Pads, Fish Aquarium, Fish Tank, Goldfish, Goldfish Aquarium, Goldfish Tank, Harmful Chemicals, Hob, Ugf, Undergravel Filters