Aquatics Staff, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.
Maintaining a healthy aquarium involves not only incorporating the proper equipment in the initial installation, but also providing water conditions that are optimal for the specific organisms that are being kept. A large part in maintaining these water conditions lies in the regular maintenance of the filtration system. There are three types of filtration that most systems employ; Mechanical, Chemical, and Biological. Each type of filtration requires regular maintenance, but differ in both the procedure and the frequency of the cleanings.
Mechanical
Mechanical media, usually in the form of sponges or pads, is a material that is used to trap debris out of the aquarium's water, and is located in a place where the water is forced through it. Maintenance on this part of the filtration is crucial in controlling excess nutrients within the aquarium. Shortly after a particle is trapped within the mechanical media, it begins to be broken down by bacteria and fungi, resulting in ammonia added to the nitrogen cycle. This results in an elevated biological loading on the aquarium. If not cleaned regularly, the excess levels of nitrates and phosphates in the aquarium will lead to both algae and overall aquarium health problems.
Regular maintenance should include rinsing the pads or sponges in order to remove the particulate matter. If the media has become too clogged with debris, and can not be easily cleaned, it should then be replaced. Rinsing this material in the aquarium water removed during a regular water change versus rinsing it in tap water will preserve the beneficial bacteria colonies, and will prevent any toxic ammonia spikes in the aquarium. The frequency of cleaning this material will depend both on the stocking level of the aquarium and the level of nitrates within the system. The greater the levels of either of the two, the more often that this material should be cleaned. Generally, it is recommended to clean every other week, but the frequency should be adjusted depending on the biological loading of the aquarium.
Chemical
Chemical media is useful in treating many different types of problems associated with aquarium water. Chemical media is typically granular in form, but may also be offered in pad form. The chemical media should be located directly after the mechanical media within the aquarium's filtration system. Activated carbon is the most common chemical media used on a regular basis. Activated carbon adsorbs dissolved organics and medications, and removes odors and any coloration of the aquarium water. Activated carbon should be replaced when the clarity of the aquarium water diminishes or when odors become evident. For most aquariums, activated carbon will remain effective for a period of 1 to 2 months.
Other types of chemical media are targeted at removing specific toxins and metals from the aquarium water such as ammonia, phosphate, silicate, nitrate, copper, and heavy metal removers. These media are useful for emergency and general maintenance when problems occur with these specific toxins and metals in aquarium water. Maintenance on these media should be performed as directed in the instructions on the specific product label.
Biological
Biological media is responsible for harboring the large numbers of bacteria that are responsible for the nitrogen cycle and thus ultimately for keeping the water free of both ammonia and nitrites that are toxic to the inhabitants. This material should offer a large surface area and be incorporated into the filtration system where both the water flow and oxygen content are high.
>> Continued on Page 2 <<
