By Lorraine | 01 July 2020 | 0 Comments
Introduction to commonly used filter materials
In fact, the general fish tank filtration process is inseparable from the following steps:
Physical filtration: It is the first layer of filtration. Usually, large impurities are directly filtered through filter materials such as white cotton and wool. The filter materials are often replaced frequently, which can effectively minimize most impurities.
Chemical filtration: Activated carbon is a type of chemical filtration. It absorbs ammonia and adjusts the acidity and alkalinity. However, you need to pay attention to it when you use it. For example, you need to know the properties of the grass or fish in the fish tank, otherwise, it will affect them!
Biological filtration: Cultivating and digesting bacteria is the way of biological filtration, so usually put some ceramic rings, biochemical balls, and other cultural materials at the bottom of the filter.
Several common filter materials
1. Coarse cotton or white cotton (first layer, physical filtration)Generally speaking, the filter cotton should refer to the white cotton. This is the most common first layer of filter material. It is mainly used to block the physical dirt such as residual bait and fish excrement so that the saprophytic bacteria can reproduce and decompose here. This part requires regular cleaning and replacement.
2. Wool (first layer, physical filtration)
Wool is the most commonly used filter material. The tightness of the tissue is denser than that of white cotton. The filtering effect is better. It is fully suitable for various filters after trimming, and it can be reused after cleaning.
3. Coral sand (second layer, chemical filtration)
This is the filter material used for breeding guppies or other weak alkaline fishes because coral sand has both the functions of "weak alkaline" and "cultivation". Coral sand will make the pH of the water weakly alkaline. Coral sand, like ceramic rings and other filter materials, should not be over-cleaned so that the cultured bacteria are washed away and the filter system disintegrates.
4. Activated carbon (second layer, chemical filtration) Activated carbon is a kind of porous carbonaceous material, and charcoal and bamboo charcoal are both activated carbon. Activated carbon has the functions of "physical filtration" and "chemical filtration", which can effectively remove trace components, pigments, and odors in water. An activated carbon filter aquarium is a good choice to clean the tank.
5. Biochemical cotton (third layer, biological filtration)The biochemical cotton is mainly arranged in the second layer, under the coarse cotton or white cotton, the characteristics of the biochemical cotton are not perishable and the pores are large, which is suitable as a culture medium for nitrifying bacteria.
6. Biochemical ball (third layer, biological filtration)One of the common filter materials, some people soak the entire biochemical ball in the water. This is the wrong way to use it. The biochemical ball uses irregular voids to create the maximum surface area, providing space for bacterial growth and reproduction and can have a turbulent effect. Therefore, it is mainly placed in the drip channel to let the water flow through the surface of the biochemical ball, which can aerate the water layer by layer.
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