snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Snake's Guide to Mechanical Filtration
There are three types of filtration. Mechanical, Chemical and Biological filtration are very important in a saltwater aquarium - and each one has their purpose. In this article, I will discuss the many uses of mechanical filtration in as much detail as possible.
Mechanical filtration is important in a saltwater aquarium. Mechanical filtration takes many forms - there are sponges, filter socks, nylon socks, blue and white bonded filter media, as well as home made filters like plastic kitchen sponges, fishing line, and other media that filters out particulate matter in the water column.
Mechanical filtration serves three important functions. First, it removes particulate organic matter that large and can break down into organic and inorganic nitrate and phosphate in the water column. By removing the particulate organic matter by washing the media in the sink or even replacing the media you are removing those contaminates from the aquarium. It also polishes the water and prevents particulates from constantly floating in the water column. The second major function is that it provides a media for bacteria to cling on to to break down ammonia and nitrite into nitrate - by keeping the cycle constantly going. The third major function of mechanical filtration media is to use the media to "quick cycle" new aquariums for quarantine systems and hospital tanks, because of the bacteria growing on the media will quickly break down any new ammonia into nitrate.
Mechanical filtration media also has cons, and is not absolutely necessary. I'll explain this a little later. Any mechanical filtration media clogs over time. The smaller the holes are in the media, the quicker it clogs. If the filter meda is not small - such as plastic scrub pads or balled up fishing line, you may not have to replace it as often - however, if you do not clean it out often it will actually put nitrates and phosphates back into your water column.
There are three ways mechanical filtration media can be used. The first way is most common - and that is in a "Hang on back" filter such as an Emperor 280. Using a hang on back filter requires you to use their pre-made, pre-formed filters that you have to purchase from the store. The second way is in a canister filter. Canister filtration is not truly recommeded for saltwater aquariums because of the constant weekly maintenance required to keep them functioning properly. If a canister filter is turned off for any amount of time, the bacteria in the canister switches from aerobic to anaerobic, which, often times can lead to a tank crash. The filtration media inside the canister filter can often times be rinsed and re-used. However, you will also have to replace the media with pre-made filters from the store. The third, and most common way to use filtration media is in a sump. Saltwater from the display tank is dumped into a chamber of the sump and immediately filtered through either a blue and white bonded filter media, fishing line, plastic scrubs, or even filter socks. Filter socks are most commonly used form of filtration media in saltwater tanks, next to blue and white bonded filter media.
Filtration media has to be washed or changed. Filtration media that has carbon built in it has to be replaced every thirty days or else you risk the toxins that the carbon has sucked up out of the water to leach back into the tank. Some filters have to be changed more often than others. It also depends on how much the aquarist feeds the tank and how much goes down the overflow before being eaten. Filter socks have to be replaced and washed every three to five days. Blue and white filter media should be replaced every five to seven days. Canister filters have to be replaced and washed every five to seven days. Other types of filter media such as plastic scrubs or fishing line should be rinsed off and/or replaced every seven days to one month. Going more than one month without replacing any filter media risks putting nitrate and phosphates back into the water column.
Another thing to think about when dealing with mechanical filtration is that it should be doubled. What I mean is - use two filter socks, use two filter media pads, use double sided hang on back filters. Take out one of them out and wash and clean it and then the next time, clean and replace the other one. This keeps the bacteria in the unwashed filter processing the ammonia and nitrite in your tank and keeps your tank from crashing if the only type of filtration you have is your filtration media.
Filter media that is not readily maintained can also reduce the ORP of the aquarium water. ORP is the Oxidation Reduction potential of the water - or the ability of ions in the water to be reduced. It is a measure of the relative purity of the water. If you are interested in reading more of this, try to google ORP by Randy Holmes-Farley or by clicking on this link:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-12/rhf/feature/index.php
Earlier in the article I mentioned about not needing mechanical filtration media. Let me discuss this in further detail. Now, don't do this before you read the rest of the article. Particulate organic matter settles out of the water column without any water flow. The particulate mater will settle out of the water column, but you will have to have a way of letting it decompose safely. This is usually where a really deep sand bed comes in-handy. The detritus settles out on top of the sandbed and the microfauna and flora digest it down into nitrate and phosphate which can then be skimmed out of the tank by a protein skimmer, utilized by macroalgaes and removed by water changes. Without utilizing a deep sand bed, you can also siphon out the debris / detritus at every water change. This method isn't for everyone, however it has been used quite successfully in the past. Usually, deep sand beds and really deep sand beds also have algae growing in it and on top of it - essentially creating a refugium.
Mechanical filtration is important in a saltwater aquarium. It provides a media in which to remove particulate organic matter and grow bacteria to help the tank keep cycling. It can also be used to quick cycle hospital tanks and quarantine tanks. Mechanical filtration comes in a variety of medias - so pick the best one that fits your application and then replace it and wash it as needed. Thank you for reading the article and I hope you learned something!
There are three types of filtration. Mechanical, Chemical and Biological filtration are very important in a saltwater aquarium - and each one has their purpose. In this article, I will discuss the many uses of mechanical filtration in as much detail as possible.
Mechanical filtration is important in a saltwater aquarium. Mechanical filtration takes many forms - there are sponges, filter socks, nylon socks, blue and white bonded filter media, as well as home made filters like plastic kitchen sponges, fishing line, and other media that filters out particulate matter in the water column.
Mechanical filtration serves three important functions. First, it removes particulate organic matter that large and can break down into organic and inorganic nitrate and phosphate in the water column. By removing the particulate organic matter by washing the media in the sink or even replacing the media you are removing those contaminates from the aquarium. It also polishes the water and prevents particulates from constantly floating in the water column. The second major function is that it provides a media for bacteria to cling on to to break down ammonia and nitrite into nitrate - by keeping the cycle constantly going. The third major function of mechanical filtration media is to use the media to "quick cycle" new aquariums for quarantine systems and hospital tanks, because of the bacteria growing on the media will quickly break down any new ammonia into nitrate.
Mechanical filtration media also has cons, and is not absolutely necessary. I'll explain this a little later. Any mechanical filtration media clogs over time. The smaller the holes are in the media, the quicker it clogs. If the filter meda is not small - such as plastic scrub pads or balled up fishing line, you may not have to replace it as often - however, if you do not clean it out often it will actually put nitrates and phosphates back into your water column.
There are three ways mechanical filtration media can be used. The first way is most common - and that is in a "Hang on back" filter such as an Emperor 280. Using a hang on back filter requires you to use their pre-made, pre-formed filters that you have to purchase from the store. The second way is in a canister filter. Canister filtration is not truly recommeded for saltwater aquariums because of the constant weekly maintenance required to keep them functioning properly. If a canister filter is turned off for any amount of time, the bacteria in the canister switches from aerobic to anaerobic, which, often times can lead to a tank crash. The filtration media inside the canister filter can often times be rinsed and re-used. However, you will also have to replace the media with pre-made filters from the store. The third, and most common way to use filtration media is in a sump. Saltwater from the display tank is dumped into a chamber of the sump and immediately filtered through either a blue and white bonded filter media, fishing line, plastic scrubs, or even filter socks. Filter socks are most commonly used form of filtration media in saltwater tanks, next to blue and white bonded filter media.
Filtration media has to be washed or changed. Filtration media that has carbon built in it has to be replaced every thirty days or else you risk the toxins that the carbon has sucked up out of the water to leach back into the tank. Some filters have to be changed more often than others. It also depends on how much the aquarist feeds the tank and how much goes down the overflow before being eaten. Filter socks have to be replaced and washed every three to five days. Blue and white filter media should be replaced every five to seven days. Canister filters have to be replaced and washed every five to seven days. Other types of filter media such as plastic scrubs or fishing line should be rinsed off and/or replaced every seven days to one month. Going more than one month without replacing any filter media risks putting nitrate and phosphates back into the water column.
Another thing to think about when dealing with mechanical filtration is that it should be doubled. What I mean is - use two filter socks, use two filter media pads, use double sided hang on back filters. Take out one of them out and wash and clean it and then the next time, clean and replace the other one. This keeps the bacteria in the unwashed filter processing the ammonia and nitrite in your tank and keeps your tank from crashing if the only type of filtration you have is your filtration media.
Filter media that is not readily maintained can also reduce the ORP of the aquarium water. ORP is the Oxidation Reduction potential of the water - or the ability of ions in the water to be reduced. It is a measure of the relative purity of the water. If you are interested in reading more of this, try to google ORP by Randy Holmes-Farley or by clicking on this link:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-12/rhf/feature/index.php
Earlier in the article I mentioned about not needing mechanical filtration media. Let me discuss this in further detail. Now, don't do this before you read the rest of the article. Particulate organic matter settles out of the water column without any water flow. The particulate mater will settle out of the water column, but you will have to have a way of letting it decompose safely. This is usually where a really deep sand bed comes in-handy. The detritus settles out on top of the sandbed and the microfauna and flora digest it down into nitrate and phosphate which can then be skimmed out of the tank by a protein skimmer, utilized by macroalgaes and removed by water changes. Without utilizing a deep sand bed, you can also siphon out the debris / detritus at every water change. This method isn't for everyone, however it has been used quite successfully in the past. Usually, deep sand beds and really deep sand beds also have algae growing in it and on top of it - essentially creating a refugium.
Mechanical filtration is important in a saltwater aquarium. It provides a media in which to remove particulate organic matter and grow bacteria to help the tank keep cycling. It can also be used to quick cycle hospital tanks and quarantine tanks. Mechanical filtration comes in a variety of medias - so pick the best one that fits your application and then replace it and wash it as needed. Thank you for reading the article and I hope you learned something!
