Keeping an aquarium requires careful balance to keep your fish and plants healthy; it’s more than just a hobby. Making sure the filtration system in your aquarium is operating efficiently is an essential step in this process. In this, the appropriate fillers or filter media are crucial.
It can be difficult to determine which fillers are ideal for your aquarium because there are so many varieties available. Whether it’s chemical, biological, or mechanical filtering, each kind has a distinct function.
This post will walk you through the different kinds of fillers, outlining their advantages and how to use them in your aquarium. Additionally, you’ll find helpful hints to select the appropriate media for your filter, guaranteeing the cleanliness and equilibrium of your aquatic environment.
- What is a filler
- Types of fillers
- Activated carbon
- Synthond
- Zeolite
- Peat
- Expanded clay
- Sponge
- Bio-balls
- Seachem Purigen
- Manufacturers
- Video on the topic
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What is a filler
An aquarium filter’s primary component is called a filler or filter element. The filler is responsible for the purification of water by removing organic decay products and capturing and filtering out foreign particles.
There are various cleaning options, and the principle of operation varies depending on the type and performance.
Every technique uses a different kind of filler. Furthermore, it’s usually necessary to use all available cleaning methods at once. Chemical and biological cleaning guarantee that organic decay products like phosphates, ammonia, and nitrites are removed from the water, while mechanical cleaning helps you get rid of solid particles of various sizes.
Installations with multiple layers of fillers, each performing a specific function, are the most efficient.
Maintaining a clean, healthy environment for your fish and plants depends on selecting the proper filler for your aquarium filter. This article examines the various kinds of fillers that are available, their unique qualities, and provides helpful advice to assist you in choosing the best choice for the requirements of your aquarium.
Types of fillers
Aquarium filters are designed using a variety of fillers. They are able to separate liquids or other components and carry out specific tasks. Let’s look at the most successful kinds:
Activated carbon
This filler can be used as effectively as possible in both freshwater and marine aquariums. These granules appear black on the outside. In addition to performing chemical purification, the filler serves as a sorbent, drawing out and absorbing dyes and other harmful materials from the water.
It is categorized by aquarists as a class of neutralizers capable of eliminating phosphates and other hazardous components of organic decay. It also takes up any leftover medication that is in the water from treating aquarium occupants.
It is important to remember that ammonia cannot be absorbed by activated carbon. Furthermore, it takes up certain microelements that are essential to plants.
One filler lasts for roughly four weeks. It cannot be used continuously because activated carbon eventually gets saturated and starts to release toxic compounds instead of absorbing them. As a result, it must be changed on a regular basis.
Synthond
Filler with strong mechanical water purification capabilities. able to postpone suspensions containing various sized solid particles. removes dust and debris that has accumulated after processing soil and plants.
The material has a limited shelf life; after roughly a week, it becomes clogged with silt and solid particles and stops working. To use, it can be cleaned with running water. This option isn’t as long-lasting or effective, though. Replacing the filler is simpler.
The outcome will be the same whether you use a regular sewing synthetic winterizer or special filter elements.
Zeolite
Natural substance derived from sediments. It is a neutralizer (sorbent) similar to activated carbon, but it lasts up to 1.5 months. Zeolite can simultaneously absorb ammonia, something activated carbon cannot.
Moreover, the substance efficiently eliminates dyes, heavy metals, fish medicine, and ammonium. Zeolite comes in a variety of forms, including thomsonite, heulandite, mordenite, stilbite, chabazite, and laumontite. They are all about equal in their abilities.
Fillers manufactured under the Hydor trademark (owner: Paintecho, a Finnish company) are an excellent example of quality.
Peat
This filler belongs in the category of the most easily available and reasonably priced materials. Peat can carry out intricate water purification processes because it contains a lot of organic components.
Furthermore, the filler possesses numerous other attributes:
- has a beneficial effect on the roots of aquatic plants, enhancing their growth;
- stabilizes pH in the slightly acidic range;
- dramatically reduces the growth activity of fungi and some types of bacteria;
- reduces water hardness.
Peat, however, possesses a few unique qualities. For instance, some owners find it objectionable because it gives the water a brownish tint. Furthermore, if the fish in the aquarium have alkaline disease (alkalosis), do not use peat.
One backfill can last anywhere from three to six months. JBL Tormec activ and Sera Super Peat Peat are the two most widely used two-component products.
Expanded clay
These man-made fillers are baked clay balls that have been sintered. Despite being hermetically sealed, they have a porous structure that allows a variety of bacteria to live there. Particularly comfortable in the pores of expanded clay are bacteria that control the nitrogen cycle.
You cannot put expanded clay that you have bought or gathered on the street right away in the filter. It must first be prepared. Rinse it well, boil it for 15 to 20 minutes, and then calcine it in an oven set to 180 degrees.
You can get expanded clay from any hardware store.
Sponge
This substance purifies water both mechanically and (partially) biologically. Foam rubber, a colloquial term for special polyurethane foam, is used in production.
It is important to remember that specialty fillers are required in this situation; regular furniture material is not appropriate. TetraTec BF, which comes in a package containing two sponges, is one example.
The filler operates on the basis of solid particle capture. Furthermore, bacterial colonies emerge from the open pores, changing organic matter into inorganic substances.
It is necessary to wash the sponge on a regular basis, and this should take no longer than three hours.
Bio-balls
These are balls made of plastic or ceramic that have had a large portion of their surface removed to expand their area. Bacterial colonies that produce biological water purification reside in these folds. But the majority of aquarists use bio-balls as a supporting component, which allows for a more even washing of other fillers. This guarantees a longer service life for the materials and improves cleaning efficiency.
Matrix Seachem
Aquarists are very interested in this filler. This material is very porous and effectively filters biological material. removes ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and nitrogen compounds.
Eheim Substrat Pro
These are large, porous ceramic balls with a surface area of 450 square meters per liter of filler. utilized in freshwater and marine aquariums.
Seachem Purigen
This is a cutting-edge product made by American producers. This synthetic adsorbent is of the highest caliber. It is more efficient than other options. Purigen makes sure that nitrogenous organic decay products are eliminated, bringing ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate concentrations back to normal.
Purigen is an organic resin in terms of composition (not to be confused with ion-exchange resin). It is offered for sale as highly durable balls or granules. Regular washing can restore the material. It is created when the filler starts to get hazy. The material regains its functional properties after washing. Water should be used to store the granules.
Manufacturers
A large number of businesses produce fillers.
Among the most well-known and trustworthy manufacturers, the following businesses ought to be mentioned:
Poland’s AQUAEL
The company manufactures an extensive selection of aquarium supplies, equipment, and accessories. Specifically, purchasers are provided with an entire range of chemical, biological, and mechanical fillers. You are free to select any option you like, as the products’ effectiveness and quality are attested to by all relevant certifications.
Germany’s Eheim
The company creates fillers for water filters in addition to filters themselves. The company also manufactures a large variety of materials and accessories. Pumps, UV water purifiers, feeders, and other accessories are some of them.
USA-based Seachem
The English terms "Sea Chemistry" (Marine Chemistry) are the source of the name. The business produces a broad variety of materials and chemicals for freshwater and marine aquariums of different sizes. Only a small portion of the company’s offerings are filter fillers.
It lists only the most well-known companies. Due to the high number of specialized businesses, there are many offers available. Not all of them—particularly those from Southeast Asia—are well-known. Consequently, it is advised to use products from reputable and well-known producers.
Type of Filler | Features and Tips |
Sponge Filter | Provides mechanical filtration by trapping debris; ideal for breeding tanks as it’s gentle on fry. |
Ceramic Rings | Offers biological filtration by providing surface area for beneficial bacteria; should be cleaned gently to maintain bacterial colonies. |
Activated Carbon | Removes impurities and odors; needs regular replacement as it becomes less effective over time. |
Bio Balls | Enhances biological filtration; does not need frequent cleaning, only rinse occasionally. |
Filter Wool | Captures fine particles; replace regularly to maintain water clarity. |
It is essential to select the proper filler for your aquarium filter if you want to keep the aquatic environment healthy. Whether its function is to control chemical levels, remove debris, or promote good bacteria, each type of filler has a distinct function. You can better adjust your filtration system to meet the requirements of your fish and plants by being aware of these variations.
To guarantee optimum performance, it’s also critical to clean and replace filter media on a regular basis as advised. Your aquarium’s water will stay clear and clean with proper maintenance, giving your aquatic life a secure and comfortable home.
You can establish a healthy ecosystem in your aquarium where fish and plants can thrive by paying attention to these little details. The long-term health of your aquarium can be greatly affected by minor changes you make to your filtration system.