Kaix
07-27-2006, 02:28 PM
MIXED SYSTEM
Nowadays, most filters make use of a combination of two or more of these systems. Using a filter wool, activated carbon and ceramics in the filtering chambers is an example of a combination of all 3 systems in action.
The problem with any purely biological system is that large dirt particles take a long time to be broken down. So the Best system is one where all three system is at work. Using an external power filter to act as the mechanical and chemical filter while having undergravel to do the biological work. This is very effective for a marine set-up as well. Of course if you have fishes that digs alot, your filter system will go haywire. Either use a larger pebbles or place a filtering wool over the plate.
In a marine set-up, place a thin layer of filtering wool over the plate to prevent fishes or other creatures from exposing the plates. In such set-ups, normally, fine sand is used instead of gravel. The wool will also prevent the finer sand particles from falling through.
For small tanks using the box filters, you can modify such filters to be biological filters by simply substituting the wool for freshwater gravel. When water passes through the gravel, bacteria will grow. Because the actual filtering surface area is small, the amount of bacteria that grow will be very limited. That is to say, the efficiency will be limited.
Nowadays, most filters make use of a combination of two or more of these systems. Using a filter wool, activated carbon and ceramics in the filtering chambers is an example of a combination of all 3 systems in action.
The problem with any purely biological system is that large dirt particles take a long time to be broken down. So the Best system is one where all three system is at work. Using an external power filter to act as the mechanical and chemical filter while having undergravel to do the biological work. This is very effective for a marine set-up as well. Of course if you have fishes that digs alot, your filter system will go haywire. Either use a larger pebbles or place a filtering wool over the plate.
In a marine set-up, place a thin layer of filtering wool over the plate to prevent fishes or other creatures from exposing the plates. In such set-ups, normally, fine sand is used instead of gravel. The wool will also prevent the finer sand particles from falling through.
For small tanks using the box filters, you can modify such filters to be biological filters by simply substituting the wool for freshwater gravel. When water passes through the gravel, bacteria will grow. Because the actual filtering surface area is small, the amount of bacteria that grow will be very limited. That is to say, the efficiency will be limited.