1 Filtration – 2 Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – 3 Bright Light – 4 Substrate
Filtration
Filtration for a planted aquascaped aquarium is one of 4 basic components required to create a “nature” or planted aquarium.
The basis of modern aquaria is efficient filtration. High quality filtration is the key to success in a planted aquarium. Larger planted tanks should only be used with external filters. Never buy a low quality filter to save money. Canister filters are a great form of filtration for planted aquariums. Oase canister filters are some of the highest rated models available. Here is a link to filtration types and more information.
In aquariums, organic matter is formed from fish waste, dead organisms, uneaten food, and decaying plants and leaves. In a planted aquarium, decaying leaves are a much more severe problem. This organic matter in water inevitably starts to decompose, resulting in excess nutrients and a higher biological load on the aquarium. Extra nutrients from waste harm fish health and cause algae growth.
Ammonia is removed with biological filtration.
Nitrifying bacteria, which need oxygen and grow on biological media, convert ammonia to nitrite and then nitrite to nitrate. Nitrate, in manageable amounts, is not harmful to fish, nor does it cause algae. The greater the volume of bacteria and the higher quality substrate for it to live on, the faster this process happens. The higher the quality of biological media and the more oxygen surface area available, the better the aquarium water quality will be.
For larger aquascaped aquariums aquaLife BioMatrix is the best filter media choice.
Many of these filters come with sponges. While sponges are suitable for daily cleaning and pre-filtration, please do not rely on them for biological or primary filtration in a filter. Use media with a much higher surface area. The aquaLife BioMatrix biological filter media surface is highly porous, with plenty of room for bacteria to adhere. For biological filter media, the most critical aspect is that the oxygen-saturated water reaches the adhering bacteria, so the holes on the surface should not be too deep. Otherwise, the flow and oxygen supply of the bacteria are inadequate. aquaLife BioMatrix is ideal for filters as it has the perfect amount of high surface area at the proper pore size and depth.
Image of Surface area of aquaLife BioMatrix 300 magnification
Smaller aquariums can be run with hang on the back or internal filters.
Proper Flow – filter inlet and outlet pipes on a canister filter
Solid particles that accumulate in the aquarium must be kept afloat with sufficiently strong water flow for them to be removed by filtration. For adequate performance, the filter must remove the suspended particles. This is how the decomposition process completes efficiently via the beneficial bacteria under oxygen-rich (aerobic) conditions.
Adequate flow also contributes to carbon dioxide (CO2) distribution. For plants, excessive water turbulence is not suitable. The goal is to create a less turbulent but high-yielding flow, such as what occurs in nature. The best way to achieve this is with so-called “lily pipes” and various glass or stainless inflows and outflows. Some also have surface skimming abilities, which are ideal.
Glass or stainless inlet and outlet pipes, in addition to being extremely elegant, introduce the water from the external filter into the aquarium, not radially but in a distributed manner, thus simulating natural conditions. The input and discharge of the filters are always placed on the same side. Place the tubes for each canister on opposite sides when using two filters. To ensure an even flow in the aquarium and avoid stagnation, direct outflow pipes toward filter inlets on each end of the aquarium. This is necessary when the flow of the filters is not strong enough to cross to the other side in long aquariums.
What Filter Media should be used in the Canister Filter or biological filter?
There is a plethora of filter media on the market – from ceramic rings and plastic balls to lava stones. Microscopic analysis of some professional filter materials has been done, among other tests—unfortunately, the large variety of filter media on the market results in manufacturers fighting for market share. Even premium manufacturers are scattering the market with thousands of different filter media products. This confuses customers and makes their decisions more difficult.
An Ideal External filter must contain three basic filter media:
Listed in order of water flow – (water enters #1 first)
1. THIN LAYER SPONGE (up to 3/4-1 1/2” thick) – this is part of the physical filtration.
It protects the biological filter media from premature clogging due to minor or more significant pieces of leaves and other physical contaminants that enter the filter. The sponge, therefore, does not have to be thick; its sole purpose is to absorb more significant amounts of physical dirt. The role of the sponge in biological filtration is negligible. When cleaning the filter, the sponge can be squeezed and washed in tap water. Furthermore, the sponge does not need to be replaced in the filter until it has worn out and begun to deteriorate. Oase canister filters have unique pre-filters.
2. BIOLOGICAL FILTER MATERIAL
It is important that the filter material be high quality, sufficiently porous (allowing room for bacteria to adhere), and be sufficient particle size that it not restrict the water flow of the filter. This type of filter media should occupy most of the filter capacity of the canister filter. Since the media only provides beneficial surface for the bacteria, high quality biological filter media does not need to be replaced frequently. They should perform their function for many years with proper cleaning. Replacing 50% of this media annually to prevent long term clogging of the pores is the most that is ever needed. For faster cycling or “seeding” of the biological filter media due to new tank setup, dosing with aquaLife Activate should be done after a power outage, filter shutdown, increased fish loads, or during cleaning.
3. THIN LAYER OF COTTON OR BONDED PADDING. Like a sponge, this material performs physical filtration but filters finer particles. As a final step, it prevents small dirt that passes through the other filter media from returning to the aquarium. We recommend everyone use aquarium Bonded Padding by aquaLife for fine filtration. When cleaning the filter, discard the Bonded Padding and replace it, allowing for continued fast, easy, and efficient filtration.
4. ADDITIONAL FILTER MATERIALS. In addition to the three filter materials discussed above, there are other filter materials that we consider important. The most important of which are: Seachem Purigen, aquaLife Pelleted Carbon, aquaLife Activated Carbon, Chemi-Pure Green, and PolyFilters. Purigen helps to produce colorless, crystal-clear water by chemical methods; Pelleted Carbon or Activated Carbon are best for water clarity, odor, removing tannins and organics. Chemi-Pure Green is pelleted carbon and resin like Purigen. Poly Filters are unique chemical pads that can remove a range of pollutants and change color as they absorb pollutants. Depending on the filter design, an additional layer of Blue Bonded Padding may be needed after any other filter media to contain the chemical media. Often using the Polyfilter as the last stage will be all that is needed.
Knowing that bacteria do not grow in the filter immediately is essential. It takes time for them to multiply to sufficient numbers. Even with a bacterial culture, such as Activate by aquaLife, which we recommend, it takes at least 2-4 weeks for the filter to grow bacteria properly. Wait 2-4 weeks for fish to be stocked, but plant the aquarium immediately. Let the plants take hold and give the bacteria time to grow and multiply.
Bacteria need oxygen to function, which is extracted from the aquarium water that enters the filter. For this reason, the filter(s) should never be switched off for extended periods. During maintenance, ensure the filter does not stay off too long. See the maintenance section for more details.
The ammonia decomposition capacity of external filters is not infinite, so never overpopulate your aquarium. Stock roughly 2 to 4 inches of fish per gallon of water. This ratio can vary from aquarium to aquarium, depending on species and filtration quality. Consult with your local store for the best results.
When choosing a filter, remember that cheaper filters usually contain a weaker filter material, lower quality pumps, and parts. Purchase additional filter material of the right quality such as aquaLife BioMatrix. Do not be set on using what comes with the filters. Manufacturers must make their filters attractively priced thus limiting what they can spend on the media they include. Upgrading from what the filters often come with will result in a more efficient higher quality filter.
Next Up Solution 3 Part 2 CO2
1 Filtration – 2 Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – 3 Bright Light – 4 Substrate