Pet Help

Aquarium canister filters are essential parts of any fish tank. They keep the tank clean through mechanical, biological, and chemical means. They also prevent the build-up of toxic substances in the water that could kill your fish and the rest of the tank inhabitants. Aquarium canister filters are either hung on the side or submerged inside the tank.

Knowing the type of filter for your tank

Aquarium canister filters may not come with all three functions of mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration all in one filter. You can specify which filter you need and they can be customized to perform any of these specific functions.

If your fish produces a lot of waste, you need a filter with an effective mechanical media such as a filter pad with varying coarseness to effectively remove the waste from the water. If sparkling water is a requirement, a chemical filter is needed. Ceramic rings and sponges in biological filters are a requirement if your fish tends to produce a lot of ammonia. These contain beneficial bacteria called nitrofiers that grow in the tank and convert harmful fish waste into non-toxic particles. It usually takes about a month to establish a thriving biological community. Aquarium canister filers tend to clog up with debris quickly so regular clean-ups are expected. This is important since without regular cleaning, the filtered debris could go back to the water.

Maintenance of aquarium canister filters

Filter maintenance is often done during the regular replacement of the tank water. Make sure that the power to the tank has been disconnected before taking out the filter and its parts. You can clean the impeller from the motor first, inspecting it for any cracks or missing pieces. If the impeller is missing any blades, you will need to replace it.

You clean the filters when you replace the tank water, removing the filter and taking it apart so you can clean the individual parts like the impellers, tubings and intake and outlet pipes, and the main body. You can lubricate the parts of the filter using petroleum jelly or liquid silicone before putting the tank parts back together and reinstalling the filter.

Choosing aquarium canister filters

When you choose aquarium canister filters, it is important to choose a filter that is suited for the type of tank you have, whether you have a saltwater or freshwater tank, because filters are often sold according to the type of tank they are designed for. Also choose a filter that has parts that are easy to replace. When buying your tank parts, it is important that you ask the salesperson if they keep a regular supply of tank parts so that you can easily get replacement parts when the need arises, such as spare O-rings, rubber gaskets, and tubings.

Finally, make sure that your filter is built for the kind of tank you are keeping because there are filters that are built specifically for freshwater tanks, and others for saltwater aquariums.

Jeffry Johnston is a marine fish store owner and an aquarium enthusiast who finds happiness in helping others succeed in raising their fish as well. He is a member and guest speaker at many aquarium clubs, as well as having a few very large tanks of his own. To find out about about aquarium canister filters and other fish tank equipment, please visit marinedepot.com.