Foam, filter media, and replacement cartridges are part of the system designed to clean the aquarium water. These accessories are essential for improving the quality of life of the fish.
To keep the tank water clean, every respectable aquarist must have the following:
- an internal filter, often intended for small tanks, that attaches to the aquarium with suction cups or simply hangs on the wall;
- an external filter, offering remarkable filtration power and allowing not to lose space in the aquarium (the ideal flow rate is equivalent to two or three times the tank capacity);
- filter media;
- replacement foams and cartridges;
- replacement parts for the filter.
Depending on the type of equipment used, there are three levels of filtration:
- mechanical, the accessory retains the largest particles like a coffee machine;
- chemical, based on activated carbon and to be used only occasionally, especially recommended for removing medications or other substances present in the tank;
- biological, utilizing beneficial bacteria to transform ammonia present in the water into nitrate. The process involves three stages. The bacteria brought in by the foam will transform organic waste (such as ammonia) into nitrites, and then into nitrates. To manage the nitrogen cycle, it is necessary to change the aquarium water every week to keep the fish alive and improve their comfort level.
It is important to check the compatibility between different equipment to choose the most suitable foam, filter media, and replacement cartridge for the aquarium. Moreover, each element is defined by its filtration power and lifespan. It is strongly advised to seek a balance between these two parameters (longevity and efficiency) to avoid endangering the fish's life and thus ensure their well-being.
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