How to choose a good external filter for an aquarium and which one is better?

Even a small aquarium needs equipment such as a water filter, since it performs the most important function – it cleans the water space for the most comfortable life of its inhabitants. In order to facilitate the care of a small part of the underwater world, it is necessary to choose the right device, then it will cope with the waste that periodically accumulates in each aquarium.

aquarium life

Any of the aquariums can be called closed mini-biosystem, which needs to have several different devices in order to function normally and maintain comfortable conditions for fish and vegetation. Water filters are the very device that can be located inside and outside the aquarium. If the aquarium is small and few fish live in it, then you can get by with an internal device, but if the volume exceeds 100 liters, then experts advise purchasing external equipment with good throughput.

External filter for home “reservoir”

Such a device as an external filter is necessary for large aquariums, but when choosing it, it is important to know the main characteristics that are important in further operation. An external filter is always installed only from the outside of the aquarium, so you need to consider that such equipment takes up a lot of space and it is better to decide on it in advance. Unlike internal types, they practically do not make noise, which is important for a living space.

Also big the power of the device matters, it is always associated with the volume of the aquarium, a properly selected model will always cope with the task of cleaning the aquarium and saturating it with oxygen.

External aquarium filters provide the container with mechanical and chemical cleaning, remove putrefactive formations inside the aquariums, because they have high filtration, they do not take up space inside the aquarium, although they are larger in size than internal models, but they are convenient to remove and clean if necessary.

What is an external aquarium filter?

Almost all external aquarium filters produced in a mixed, they have a department for mechanical cleaning of the volume of water with a padding polyester or a tube that absorbs mud deposits. There is also another section, it contains special biomaterials, bacteria live in them, so the upper part is responsible for mechanical work, and in the lower section of the device there are biomaterials – coal, ceramic granules, which collect vital bacteria. Without such bacteria, it is impossible to maintain the necessary biological balance even in a small aquarium; this helps to create the right balance of water hardness and acidity parameters in a small underwater space.

The external filter simultaneously performs several important functions – mechanical, biological and chemical filtration, as well as the adsorption of various substances. The equipment works much more efficiently when the ratio of the volume of filter elements to the volume of the aquarium is higher.

Device tightness

The external filter is located behind the wall of the aquarium with a hose system, taking and returning water, and it is very important that the system is as tight as possible, otherwise water may leak, which will eventually lead to flooding of the apartment and neighbors from below. The device is mounted below the water level in the aquarium, so it should be installed very securely, and it is best to provide for the presence of small taps complete with the product, which can be closed if necessary.

The most common cause of leaking filters can be weak latches, so you should pay attention to them so that the latches outwardly give the impression of reliable and strong.

External models are always easy to use, they do not need to be cleaned frequently, unlike internal devices that need to be cleaned once every two weeks, in addition, they do not make noise during operation.

Equipment selection

All filters are divided by power and it is best to buy a model whose water pumping speed will be designed for a larger aquarium, for example, if the aquarium is 150 liters of water, then it is better to choose a filter for 200 liters, this will allow water biofiltration to be performed more efficiently.

The impeller of the pump is of great importance, it can be made of metal and ceramics, the latter option is considered more wear-resistant and less noisy, therefore it is more expensive. When buying a product, you should pay attention to its equipment, since there are models that only have sponges in the package, and you need to buy the rest of the elements yourself, which is very inconvenient, it is much easier to use ready-made and fully equipped equipment right away.

Modern models

Sure to take into account the dimensions of the aquarium equipmentso that it is conveniently located on the cabinet. Many modern products have their own advantages, which everyone evaluates in their own way – built-in heaters, electronic pump adjustment, UV sterilizers.

If large fish live in an aquarium, then it is necessary to choose only powerful models, since such inhabitants eat more food, which means they give more waste. If the aquarium is very large, then experts advise purchasing several filters.

Many Chinese-made products have appeared on the modern consumer market, according to experts, they are not reliable and high quality, therefore it is better to purchase European-made filters, which have proven themselves for flawless and reliable operation for more than a dozen years.

Benefits of external filters

1. If we compare internal and external filters for aquariums, then external models cope with water purification much more efficiently, they do not spoil the overall picture in a small underwater “kingdom”, and also leave the inhabitants more free space while outside.
2. The external filter needs regular maintenance only once every 1 months and it is possible to combine and replace filter elements in it.
3. During the cleaning of external equipment, this work does not affect the inhabitants in any way, such models are suitable for marine and freshwater aquariums.

Negative sides

1. All external filters are expensive.
2. Models of external filters do not always fit into the overall design of the room, so you need to foresee a good place in which the aquarium will be located and look attractive.

Aquarium filter for “cleanliness and order”

Keeping an aquarium without a filter is a very troublesome business, and the health of its inhabitants is directly related to this necessary equipment, it is the main thing for the full life of the aquarium, so it must work in a constant and continuous mode. Depends on the quality of the product and its main characteristics aquarium health, and it is impossible to save when choosing a model, since all its functions affect the life expectancy of fish. The efficiency of the filter always depends on its size, type and power, all these parameters must be considered when buying.