Should aquarium filters be above or under the water?
Depending on the type of unit you have, your aquarium filter can be either be above water or under the water. Internal filters must be fully submerged to work correctly. They work best near the substrate, though if the air pump is separate, it is usually situated somewhere outside the fish tank.
How deep should a canister filter be placed?
When its a canister filter you have, the output should sit about 1.5 to 2 inches below the water surface (fully submerged) pointed to the surface for better agitation. If you place the canister filter above the water level, there will be a lot of splashes, which apart from going everywhere, they make quite the noise.
How to place a fish tank filter?
How you place your fish tank filter will still depend on the type of filter unit you have. When considering an air-powered-sponge (corner) unit, you just need to ensure it’s well below the water level making sure the bubbles rise sufficiently to draw the water through the filter media.
Where should a sponge filter be placed in an aquarium?
Internal filters must be fully submerged to work correctly. They work best near the substrate, though if the air pump is separate, it is usually situated somewhere outside the fish tank. For this reason, most sponge filters come with suction cups to help hold the unit in the desired corner of your aquarium.
Should a fish tank filter be fully submerged?
Internal filters must be fully submerged to work correctly. They work best near the substrate, though if the air pump is separate, it is usually situated somewhere outside the fish tank. For this reason, most sponge filters come with suction cups to help hold the unit in the desired corner of your aquarium.
Where should a filter go in a fish tank?
Internal Fish Tank Filter Internal filters usually sit in the corner of the tank, just below the water's surface. they usually use sponges to filter debris, and to cultivate bacteria for biological filtration. Water is drawn up through the bottom of the filter and through the sponge.
Should my aquarium filter make bubbles?
It is normal for aquarium filters to form some bubbles. However, if your filter is producing more bubbles than it usually does, then it is a cause for concern.
Where should the water level be in a fish tank?
Keep an eye on how much water is in your aquarium—most filters need the water level to be about one inch from the lip of the filter. Make sure your bubble walls and/or air stones are not directly under the intake tube. If bubbles go up the main tube, it will cause a rattling sound and may stop your filter from working.
Where does the air pump go in a fish tank?
Generally, an air stone is placed at the bottom of the fish tank, closer to the substrate. However, the air stone should not be buried into the substrate. If in your aquarium there are many places with low water movement, creating still water zones, you can place the air stone closer to those places.
Does a canister filter have to be below the tank?
Canister filters should be placed below the aquarium. That's because the canister fills by gravity and “feeds” the pump water. Some aquarists have been able to place the canister filter next to the aquarium if they have taller tanks.
Where should a back filter hang?
5:2311:53Hang On Back Filter - Beginners Start Here (Simple) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPlace either in the front notches. Or you can put it in the back notches. But you got two slides toMorePlace either in the front notches. Or you can put it in the back notches. But you got two slides to put two cartridges in if you like to get some more filtration.
How do you put an air filter in a fish tank?
2:123:57How to Install a Sponge Filter + 3 Bonus Tips - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPlace the sponge filter into the aquarium. And squeeze it several times to get most of the bubblesMorePlace the sponge filter into the aquarium. And squeeze it several times to get most of the bubbles out it should sink immediately.
How Deep Should The Filter Be In A Fish Tank?
If you’re using an internal, air powered, or under-gravel filter, then you want it to be at least completely submerged, with all of the filter bein...
How Deep Should My Aquarium Filter Intake Be?
Toward the tank’s bottom! Most fish owners would advise that when you’re using a canister filter for your tank, the intake tube needs to be at leas...
Does A Canister Filter Have To Be Below The Tank?
Yes, unless you don’t want it to be installed correctly and filter the way it’s supposed to! A canister filter must always be placed directly below...
Aquarium Filter Basics
Aquarium filters are essential to keeping the water clean and safe. Taking the time to use the correct filter and set it up properly ensures the health of the fish, plants, and other creatures in the aquarium.
How Deep Should My Aquarium Filter Intake Be?
It is best to put your aquarium filter intake about two inches from the bottom of your tank. Most aquarists consider this to be the ideal location, and they note that the tube sucks up the water and cleans efficiently at this position.
How Often Should You Change Aquarium Filter Cartridges?
Your aquarium filter needs proper maintenance to remove toxins efficiently from the water. An easy way to do this is by changing the filter cartridges as needed.
Is a Carbon Filter Bad for Planted Aquariums?
Carbon filters are great for removing toxins from aquarium water, but the way that they work is not ideal for planted aquariums. A carbon filter reduces the nutrients available to plants, completely counteracting liquid fertilizers essential to plant growth.
Can I Use a Regular Sponge for an Aquarium Filter?
Sponges function well as aquarium filters, but not all sponges can be used. Some sponges contain harmful chemicals that will poison and kill your fish over time.
When Should I Change My Aquarium Filter Cartridge?
There are a few ways to determine when you should change your aquarium filter cartridge.
How far down should a filter go?
The output of the canister filter should be 1.5 to 2 inches below the surface of the water.
Where should I place my internal filter?
Aquarium filters should be placed at the bottom of the tank to make sure they are clean. This is the best place for an internal aquarium filter to be because it will have all the water going through it and will have a better chance of cleaning the water.
Should fish tank filter make bubbles?
Is the fish tank’s filters supposed to burst? The amount of bubbles in the fish tanks should not be caused by a well- functioning filter. If there aren’t enough bubbles to cover the water’s surface, the filter may not work or it may be blocked by debris.
Can a filter be too strong for fish?
A fish tank filter that is too powerful can have a negative effect on the aquarium. The component should be strong enough to keep the tank clean. If the water is too turbulent, the current could be too strong.
Can you over filter a tank?
It is easy to under-filter an aquarium. Aquarium filters are rated based on the amount of water in the aquarium.
How do you know if your filter is working in your fish tank?
The filter needs to be checked first to make sure it’s still functioning. The top of the pipes may be filled with water. The filter might not work if there aren’t any bubbles. It’s a good idea to fix or replace the filter.
Should a fish tank filter be on all the time?
Most of the time, filters, lights, and air pumps need to stay on. If you have an air pump, you need to keep filters on all the time.
Should I keep my aquarium filter on high?
The entire volume of aquarium would typically run through the filter several times in one hour. The higher the GPH the better, but you shouldn’t exaggerate as too much flow means more water movement. It’s a good idea to keep the flow as low as possible because this is bad for some fish that don’t like the current.
Should a fish tank filter be under water?
Internal filters must be fully submerged to work correctly. If the air pump is separate, it is usually located outside of the fish tank. Sponge filters come with cups to help hold the unit in the desired corner of the aquarium.
Can you over filter a fish tank?
You can’t really over-filter an aquarium, but it’s fairly easy to under-filter one. Aquarium filters are rated according to how many gallons they can hold. If you have a filter that is rated to hold 1,000 gallons, you can use that as a guideline for the amount of water you will need to add to your aquarium.
Is it okay to turn off fish filter at night?
You shouldn’t turn off the aquarium filter at night. Dirt, debris, and debris like dead plants and waste are removed from the aquarium water by an aquarium filter. Besides that, your aquarium filter plays a huge role in helping bacteria to convert toxic chemicals into chemicals that are less harmful to your fish.
Does a filter provide oxygen for a fish tank?
Filters help increase oxygen because they move water, so make sure your current filter is operating at full capacity. A blocked filter needs to be cleaned or replaced. Adding air stones or installing a spray bar on the outlet of the filter will increase the flow of air. Air stones are available at most home improvement stores.
How full should a fish tank be?
You should fill the tank up to an inch below the trim because the water column and aeration system will cause bubbles to splash the surface. Outside of the aquarium, water may splash when the waterline is too high.
Why do fish hide behind the filter?
Very small fish may be uncomfortable in strong currents from a new filter, oxygenator or bubbler, and may start hiding to keep away from the unnerving water movements. The fish can explore the whole tank if the currents are adjusted to their liking.
Can live plants replace a filter?
It’s certainly possible to cultivate a thriving planted tank without a filter, but it can be a little bit tricky to accomplish. You need to be careful not to over-water your plants and make sure that your live plants are able to handle the biological load in your tank before you remove the filter.
Can you use a sponge as a fish tank filter?
Yes, it’s totally possible to use a regular sponge as an aquarium filter. Many people have done it successfully for a long time. First of all, you need to make sure that the sponge you are using is a good quality one. If it is not, then you will not be able to filter as well as you would like.
Is it OK to have 2 filters in a fish tank?
It is true that if you use more than one filter on your fish tank, neither of those filters will perform as efficiently as it would if it were the only filter on the aquarium. This isn’t a reason to not use multiple filters. In fact, it is recommended that you do so.
How deep should filter be in fish tank?
Most filters need the water level to be about one inch from the bottom of the tank, so keep an eye on how much water is in your aquarium. If you’re not sure, check with your local fish store or aquarium supply store.
How do cotton balls filter water?
Water always travels through the pieces of stone, gravel, sand, charcoal and cotton balls. But the gaps or pores, trap particles that are suspended in the water. If the particles were trapped in a single layer, they wouldn’t be trapped throughout the filter as the pores get smaller.
Why is charcoal good for filtering water?
Activated charcoal is the best water filter because it removes toxins from the water without stripping the water of salts and important minerals. It’s important to replace your water filter every year to make sure it works properly.
Do aquariums need air stones?
It doesn’t matter if you have a filter in your aquarium or not, attaching an air stone improves the water circulation. Adding an air stone will keep the water cleaner, provide the fishes with more oxygen, and it has a lot of health benefits for the fish as well. Air stones are a great addition to any aquarium.
How often should I clean my aquarium filter?
Aquarium filters should be cleaned every month, or as needed. If you have fish producing lots of waste, you may need to clean it more often. On the other hand, if there is only a few small fish in the tank, there may be no need to clean it. The important thing is to check the filter regularly to make sure that it is functioning properly. If the filter media becomes too clogged, it will become inefficient. Debris will be captured by the filter floss and other mechanical filtration media first, but once it’s clogged, it will hinder its biological and chemical filtration capabilities. Simply rinse the filter in old tank water. Avoid rinsing in tap water since the chlorine can kill the beneficial bacteria on the filter.
Why is a fish tank filtration system important?
An efficient aquarium filter will help maintain good water quality in both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. They can help tremendously in maintaining water parameters in between regular water changes.
How does an Aquarium Filter Work?
While most people who own fish know how important filtration is, the actual mechanics of how aquarium filters work may be unclear.
How does an internal power filter work?
Internal power filters are designed to be installed inside the aquarium. These power filters work in the same manner as a hang-on-back filters , which are considered external power filters. However, one the difference is that internal power filters are installed inside the tank and there is no lift tube. The intake pulls the water directly into the filter chamber. Once the water passes through the filter, it water is pushed out of the output, just like a hang-on-back filter. Both internal power filters and hang-on-back filters work great. Since there is very little difference in functionality, it is a matter of preference for the most part. Some people prefer to maximize the tank capacity with a hang-on-back external power filter. Others prefer to contain the components with an internal power filter. Once functional difference between the two filters is that some internal power filters allows you to install the filter at a lower part of the tank. Instead of hanging the internal filter on the edge of the tank with a hook, you can install the filter on the glass wall with a suction cup. This can be a useful function if you wish to keep the water level in your aquarium shallow. You may wish to keep the water level low for some fish and other pets such as turtles, frogs, and crabs.
Why does my aquarium make a grinding noise?
If there is a dirt or a clog in your aquarium filter, it could be making a grinding noise. If a clog is suspected, turn off the filter and remove the debris that is stuck.
Why is filtration important in aquariums?
The filtration system in an aquarium is not only responsible for keeping the water clear. In fact, they are responsible for creating the necessary water flow as well , which helps deliver oxygen throughout the tank . The oxygen is important for the fish and the beneficial bacteria in the tank.
What is mechanical filtration in aquariums?
A mechanical filtration in an aquarium is achieved by passing water through a material, such as foam or polyester floss, which effectively blocks the passage of solid materials. These solid particles includes uneaten food, fish waste, and decaying plant material.
How High Should Your Filter Be in The Fish Tank?
How you place your fish tank filter will still depend on the type of filter unit you have.
Where is the filter in an aquarium?
The simplest and most common of all is the internal filter, which sits in the corner of the aquarium. Most are driven by an air pump that sucks the water past the media. This filter type is also called a sponge filter or internal air-driven aquarium filter or corner filter. You may also come across a hang-on filter, which as the name suggest, ...
Why is an undergravel filter not too difficult to position?
An undergravel filter is not too much of a challenge to position, because it must go under the gravel whichever way you look at it.
How far below the water should a canister filter be?
When its a canister filter you have, the output should sit about 1.5 to 2 inches below the water surface (fully submerged) pointed to the surface for better agitation. If you place the canister filter above the water level, there will be a lot of splashes, which apart from going everywhere, they make quite the noise.
What is a hang on filter?
You may also come across a hang-on filter, which as the name suggest, hang on the back of the tank and pass the water via filter material driven by a cartridge. Another choice is the undergravel filter, which sucks the water down through the substrate, Bacteria grows on the gravel and breakdown the waster from your fish.
Why use corner filter?
That said, corner filters and undergravel filters are quite useful when you need more agitation in your aquarium because they are submersible, hence create a current inside the tank, which helps circulate oxygen all around.
Where to put undergravel filter in fish tank?
For best results, place the pump near the top of the fish tank (water level) to keep the water from flowing back into the pump in case of a power failure.