Cleaning and Maintenance of filters

Internal Filters

Internal filters usually have sponges which can become clogged and need cleaning, some internal filters also allow chemical media such as carbon to be induced and will need periodical changing.

External Filters

Canister filters can be very efficient and can allow for different methods of filtration to be utilised, such as mechanical, biological and chemical filtration. There are many components that will need replacing, due to wear and tear over time. Regular filter replacement at a relatively small cost and proper maintenance will ensure good performance and longevity of external filtration systems.

Under gravel Filters

Under gravel filtration is a very good means of biological filtration where whole substrate is used as the filtration media, therefore will need regular cleaning to avoid blockages and poor filtration performance.

The disadvantage of under gravel filtration is plants may not grow as well, rocks placed on the substrate can reduce filtration and the pipes can be unattractive.

Sumps

A sump is a separate tank, usually hidden underneath the main show tank, these are mostly used in large aquariums where a large filter is needed. They are particularly useful in marine systems where equipment such as protein skimmers or calcium reactors are used and can be hidden underneath the tank.