Choosing the right filtration system for your aquarium can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the choices. Some people argue over which type is superior, but the truth is that each filtration type has its advantages and suitability depending on your specific situation and preferences.
Now the more important question is what type of filtration do you want to use? Everybody can argue which ones are better or worse, And if one’s gonna do as good of a job as another one.
I think all filtration types work a lot of it depends on your situation and preference on which one filter type you should use.
Sponge Filter
Right now, I’m on a big kick of using sponge filters. It’s a great place for beneficial bacteria to grow.
It’s extremely cheap to run. For the most part, it’s quieter than most other filtration systems.
The only sounds you hear are the small hum from the air pump, and the bubbling sound from the air coming out of the tank.
It’s not perfectly quiet, but it’s fairly quiet. And the price makes up for any sound you hear. Most air pumps will run you around 30 bucks, and the sponge filters depending on size can be anywhere from 2 to $15.
Sponge filters last forever. And if need to replace your sponge filter it’s quite cheap.
Sponge filters are personally my favorite. Most fish breeders also use them because of how convenient and cheap they are.
They are also easy to clean. All you do is just pull it out, squish out all the gunk from the sponge filter in a bucket full of tank water, so you don’t risk killing your beneficial bacteria, then all you do is hook it back up to the air tube inside your tank.
Super, super simple. probably the easiest type of filter.
Under-Gravel filter
The filter that a lot of people use to use but is not as popular anymore is the under-gravel filter. The main reason I don’t like it is because it’s really hard to clean and you have to tear apart your whole año to clean it.
Basically, you just put your substrate over the top of the filter. It has little nozzles like on a air sponge filter.
What it does is it uses your substrate as your filter. And so all your benefit structure is inside your gravel or your sand. and it pulls all the through there, catches the debris, and everything that way.
What I don’t like about under gravel filters or under substrate filters is that it pulls all the poop, food, and anything that’s decaying in your tank and puts it inside of your substrate or underneath the actual filter unit.
And the only way to clean the debris out is by using a siphon or sucking up it and out of the sand or gravel or completely removing the sand and gravel. Clean it and replace it back in your tank.
If you don’t do this you risk getting ammonia gasses stuck in your substrate. Which can be harmful to your fish.
Naturally in your tank, you have particles of food, poop, and dead plant matter that do get stuck in your substrate and it can break down and create bubbles of ammonia.
And when this happens, if it escapes, it can spike your tank of ammonia, nitrates, and nitrates and poison your fish.
Now with a under gravel filter you are just increasing the chances of this happening because your sand or gravel becomes the filter and all sorts of food, poop, and other things can get trapped and cause this. It’s a lot of work to make sure this doesn’t happen.
Lots of fish keepers from the 90s or earlier love this style but isn’t very common anymore due to the work that goes into it and I would stay away from it.
HOB-Hang on the Back Filter
HOB filters or hang on the back filters are the most popular filter there is right now. If you have bought a fish tank with equipment included it came with this type of filter.
The filter works by having a very small pump pull the water into a box that hangs on the back of your fish tank. It pushes the water through various types of sponges and filter media and returns the water back to the tank in a waterfall like fashion.
They work great. The thing that I don’t love about it is that if the water in your tank evaporates, it creates a trickling waterfall sound.
This is a big pet peeve of mine. I hate that sound. I’m not much of a white noise type person. So if I could make it, so my tanks make zero noise, no water sounds nothing, I would be in heaven.
My ultimate goal is to have fish tanks that are perfectly quiet but I don’t think it’ll ever happen until I can get a sump. And even then, it still thinks some noise is just in your fish tank stand or a different room, so it’s quieter.
Most people love this sound if they have a fish tank and don’t have a problem with it. To each their own.
But that’s my main concern with HOB filters. That and you do have to occasionally rotate or get new carbon filter medium and filter floss.
The replacement packs are not very expensive, but I don’t like having to buy those. So because of the replacement of those pads and the inevitable waterfall sound that happens, not my favorite.
Power Head Filter
Next is a power head. With that, it’s similar to a wave maker where everything is contained in the tank but all of the moving parts are covered unlike a wave maker so it’s safer for your fish. I guess it’s closer to a mini pump designed to be inside your tank.
Most people use it to get more flow in their tank or to pump water out of their tank. What I love doing with it is sticking a sponge on the bottom or even a sponge filter and then having everything filtered through the sponge and exit out the power head.
It’s great if you have fish that love a high flow because power heads put off a lot of power and can create a good current.
For me, if you have a power head that’s running well, it’s one of the more quiet options. The only problem is they can be a little bit expensive. The starting price for most powerheads is $50.
Not the most expensive but not as cheap as I like. I like to keep stuff cheap. I’m super super cheap on equipment because I like to spend most of my money on fish, so I look for cheap options that work well.
I used powerheads a lot in high school, but then I didn’t like the price tag of replacing them every few years even though I love how little sound they make and how effective they are.
Canister Filter
Next on the list of filters are canister filters, kind of like a HOB filter, but instead of a small unit that hangs on your tank it is about the size of a bucket and is usually kept under your fish tank. It is similar to a sump due to it having multiple compartments for filter media.
They work really well. They keep your water crystal clear. They have a lot of different filter mediums in them so it has plenty of beneficial bacteria to take care of the nitrogen cycle.
Since the filter isn’t in the tank it gives a more natural look to your tank so it looks prettier. This is another reason canister filters are so popular.
If you’re looking for a filter for your show tank a canister filter is a great option.
One drawback is that they tend to be on the more pricey side. I think most canister filters start around the $150 to $300 range but on special sales like Black Friday you may be able to get them much cheaper.
So it’s not the cheapest option, but it is the most mechanical, and if you keep it running well, is one of the most effective ways to keep your tank clean because it just has a space for all those different types of filters.
Sump
And finally, the last filter that I can think of is having a sump. This is the best option for large aquariums or if done right a fish tank room or rack.
A sump is just basically turning a fish tank into a filter. It usually goes under the fish tank in the stand or another room. This helps with noise.
The tank has several types of filter media to get the best results for filtration.
One of the main filter media is a carbon filter pad to make your water crystal clear, it has usually a nitrogen filter that helps reduce the amount of ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites, it’s also very popular to have bio balls so that there are tons of places for beneficial bacteria to grow.
Another plus with sumps is that they add extra water volume so you can have more fish in a smaller tank. This makes it so there’s more space for that nitrates and nitrites and ammonia. This extra water volume dilutes these harmful waste products from your fish meaning you can go longer between water changes.
While a sump is the most effective filter and has the most benefits this does come with a cost to match. A sump is the most expensive type of filter.
The sump comes in two parts. One thing you will need is a good pump. The smallest ones start at 80-100$ and if you have a big tank or the sump is located far away from the tank then you will need to get a bigger one and they go for about 150-300$.
Next, you will need the refugium or the tank part of the sump. You can custom make this to save a little bit of money but I would suggest purchasing one if you aren’t used to working with glass or acrylic.
They can be bought for a few hundred dollars but depending on your needs they can be more expensive. They are expensive but they are definitely worth it.
Selecting the best filtration system for your aquarium is a crucial decision that directly impacts the well-being of your aquatic pets. With various options available, it’s essential to consider your specific needs and preferences to find the perfect fit.
Factors such as affordability, maintenance requirements, noise levels, and filtration efficiency should be taken into account. Whether you prioritize cost-effectiveness, ease of use, minimal noise, or advanced filtration capabilities, thorough research and assessment will help you make an informed decision.
By choosing the right filter, you can create an optimal environment for your fish to thrive, ensuring clean and healthy water conditions.