Results for “filter”

filter

Device through which water is passed in order to remove suspended solid particles (mechanical filtration) or chemical impurities (biological filtration); any device which assists in maintenance of water quality.

Used in 470 profiles

filter feeding

Feeding behaviour in which solid, organic particles are filtered from the surrounding water. Normally involves some degree of specialised morphology.

Used in 1 profile

filter medium

Material in a mechanical or biological filter trapping suspended particles or providing a suitable surface for colonisation by beneficial organisms.

external filter

A filter located outside the aquarium, typically holding larger amounts of media than an internal filter and used for larger tanks. Also known as a canister filter.

Used in 232 profiles

fluidised bed filter

Type of biological filter comprising a vertical column within which sand or other fine-grained filter medium is held in suspension, i.e., a fluidised state, by a continual upward flow of water. The many fine grains of filter media provide a huge surface area for bacterial colonisation.

internal filter

A filter located inside the aquarium and typically used for smaller tanks due to its reduced capcity for media compared to external filters.

wet/dry filter

Type of filter normally placed under the aquarium, and often home-made. The basic premise is that water trickles vertically downards through separated compartments containing mechanical and biological filter media with spaces inbetween so that it is also exposed to the air briefly. It then collects in a base chamber or sump from where it is pumped back to the main aquarium. There are many commercial designs available, some of which are more effective than others. Not popular in marine reef aquaria due to the associated accumulation of nitrates as by-product.

hang on back filter

Small, motor-driven, type of external filter that literally hangs over the edge of the aquarium. Unsuitable for larger aquaria and often abbreviated to HOB or HOT (hang on tank).

sponge filter

A basic air-powered filter which draws water through a sponge before returning it to the aquarium. Typically used in small aquaria where gentle water flow is required, or when raising fry.

Used in 277 profiles

undergravel filter

A filter which works by drawing water down through the substrate, where the cycle bacteria colonies are located, before returning it to the aquarium. Difficult to keep clean and now considered old fashioned.

prefilter

A preliminary filter or filter stage, most often used to trap solid particles via mechanical filtration prior to a biological or chemical stage.

biofilter

Pollution control technique employing living matter to capture and biologically degrade potential pollutants. Aquarium biofilters tend to contain a medium with a large specific surface area (SSA) favouring colonisation by billions of beneficial microorganisms.

Used in 6 profiles

nitrate reactor

Piece of aquarium equipment that can be thought of as an anaerobic filter. Provides a means by which large enough populations of anaerobic bacteria can be maintained so that nitrates are actively removed from the water in the form of nitrogen gas, a process normally facilitated by regular partial water changes. Also known as a nitrogen filter.

air pump

Device used to pump air into an aquarium for aeration or driving of air-powered filters.

airline

Plastic or silicon tubing used to connect an air pump to a filter, air stone, etc..

Used in 7 profiles

Berlin method

Method of biological filtration used in marine aquaria utilising live rock rather than a traditional, mechanical filter unit.

bioball

Type of biological filter medium consisting of a plastic ball designed in such a way that the available surface area for bacterial colonisation is maximised. The precise form differs depending on manufacturer.

chemical filtration

Water filtration method by which dissolved chemicals are removed via use of synthetic adsorbents, ion exchangers, insoluble oxides, zeolite, or activated carbon, these usually being placed within the filter unit or sump.