Best internal aquarium filters: reviews

When a person acquires an aquarium, he seeks to equip it at the highest level. Responsibly approaches the choice of soil, aquarium plants and scenery. This is one of the elements of a full-fledged artificial reservoir. But there is a more important thing necessary for the normal functioning of the future fish house. This is an internal filter for the aquarium.

What is a filter, and why is it needed? What are the devices for aeration of water? How to care for them? What is the difference between filters of famous brands Aquael and Tetra? The answers to these questions are given in the article.

What is a filter and what is it used for?

This is a device for purifying water and its saturation with oxygen, i.e. aeration. Depending on the displacement of the latter, internal filters for the aquarium are different in power. The device cleanses not only water, but also the soil.

What are the filters?

Devices are divided into four types:

1. External filters for the aquarium.
2. Internal filters for the aquarium.
3. Bottom filters.
4. Mounted filters.

External filters

External filters are installed in aquariums with a volume of over 300 liters. The device is placed next to the tank, two hoses are immersed in water. One of them serves to pump out dirty water, the second fills the aquarium with clean water after a preliminary cleaning system. This type of filter is efficient and economical. However, the cost is quite high, and the equipment takes up a lot of space.

Bottom filters

Their second name is false. The filter plate is laid at the bottom of the aquarium. Top is covered with soil. Since filtration is carried out from below, water is purified in two ways: through the filter and through the soil. These units are not suitable for large aquariums because of their low productivity. It is also noted that they are difficult to operate.

Mounted filters

This device is popular among aquarium enthusiasts. The device is installed near the wall of the aquarium, and the filtering device itself (filtering mechanism) is lowered into the tank. The performance of this type of equipment is different. But for small aquariums, they are not suitable.

Internal filters

Internal aquarium filters are the most popular among professional aquarists. The mechanism is installed inside the fish house. The main advantages of internal filters are as follows:

1. Affordable price.
2. Easy operation.
3. High performance. The device can work both in an aquarium from 3-5 liters, and in a tank with a volume of 250-300 liters.

What are the internal filters?

Filtration systems are divided into three types:

1. Mechanical
2. Biological
3. Chemical.

Next, we consider them in more detail.

Mechanical cleaning

Water purification is carried out with the help of a sponge located in the filter glass. Water is drawn from below through special openings in the glass. Particles of debris and dirt settle on the sponge, and water from the filter comes out already purified.

Filters with this cleaning method are suitable for various aquariums.

Chemical cleaning

The basis of internal filters for an aquarium with a chemical cleaning method is coal. Water passing through a charcoal filler located in the filter leaves an unpleasant odor, pollution, and most importantly, ammonia. It is filled with useful impurities and minerals and in this form goes into the tank.

Biological treatment

One of the most effective. In an aquarium environment, the soil acts as a cleaner. Filters have special biological fillers populated with beneficial bacteria. Purifying with their help, water loses toxins formed as a result of the vital activity of fish and the death of plants.

Aquael Aquarium Filters

The manufacturer of these filter series is Poland. The devices are high-quality, but the price is not very high. There are several types of internal filters for the Aquael aquarium :

1. Fan micro.
2. Fan Mini.
3. Fan-1.
4. Fan-2.
5. Fan-3.

How do models differ? The smallest device is designed for an aquarium up to 30 liters. The largest one - Fan-3 - will perfectly cope with water purification in an aquarium with a nominal value of 150-250 liters.

Filter Data Device

All of the above devices - mechanical water treatment. What is their device? A sponge is inserted into the filter bowl. A pump with a flow rate regulator is put on top. A rotor is hidden inside the pump. In addition, a hose or aeration tube, suction cups, holder, water flow deflector, aeration nozzles are attached to the device.

How to use the device?

The assembly mechanism is extremely simple. For each species attached instructions for use. To assemble and attach in the aquarium is not difficult even for a beginner.

Now you need to figure out what to do next. If it is necessary to adjust the flow rate, just turn the knob. It is located on the pump and is a small gray switch.

For greater cleaning efficiency, a hose (aeration tube) can be attached to the aeration nozzle on one side and connected to the aeration regulator on the other. Aeration power is regulated by opening or closing the regulator.

Filter care

In fact, there is nothing complicated about this. Periodically, it is necessary to wash the sponge, glass and rotor. The fact is that the filter becomes dirty and the aeration of the water weakens. How to properly wash the device will be described below:

1. Before flushing the appliance, it must be disconnected from the mains.
2. Then the filter is carefully removed from the aquarium.
3. The glass is removed. You should click on it in those places where indicated.
4. The sponge is removed.
5. Washing the glass is carried out under a stream of clean water.
6. Sponge should be washed in aquarium water. For washing it under running water will lead to the death of all beneficial bacteria. And this, in fact, restart the aquarium.
7. The rotor is washed twice a month. To do this, it must be removed from the filter and rinsed under running water.

additional information

Once every six months, the sponge in the filter must be changed. As well as suction cups are replaced once a year.

Tetra Aquarium Internal Filters

Devices are divided into 4 types:

1. Tetratec in 400.
2. Tetratec in 600.
3. Tetratec in 800.
4. Tetratec in 1000 Plus.

All devices in this series have removable cartridges. Therefore, they do not have to be washed. It is only necessary to change the cartridge on time. Let us consider in more detail how the filters differ from each other.

Tetratec in 400

The filter is designed for aquariums up to 60 liters. Its capacity is 200-400 liters per hour. There is one double replaceable cartridge. Therefore, water purification is carried out both mechanically and biologically. In stock there is a biological sponge and activated carbon.

Tetratec in 600

The model is designed for tanks up to 100 liters. The filter capacity is 300-600 l / h. There are two double interchangeable cartridges. The device enriches water with oxygen, and in the aquarium creates a current close to natural.

Tetratec in 800

This mechanism is capable of serving the aquarium up to 150 liters. Productivity reaches 800 l / h. It has two cleaning chambers (cartridges). Due to this, one of them can constantly be in the aquarium when replacing the second. The design of the device is such that the fillers can be removed and replaced so as not to touch them with your hands.

Tetratec in 1000

This internal filter for an aquarium of 200 liters is suitable. Its maximum capacity is 1000 l / h with a power of 14 watts. As in previous models, there are two replaceable cartridges, as well as a spare set consisting of a sponge and activated carbon.

Comparative characteristics of Aquael and Tetra

Choosing a model, the future aquarist asks the question: which internal filter for the aquarium is better? The tables below reflect the capabilities of the two most popular brands on the market. The first one is Aquael.

Next, consider Tetra products.

As can be seen from the tables, Tetra filters are significantly different from the Aquael series in power and performance.

Learn More About Aquael

In addition to the above, professional filters, the company is engaged in the production of so-called amateur equipment. This equipment series Aquael Asar and Aquael Unifilter. These models are intended for amateur aquarists. Unlike the Fan series, they have less power and performance.

You need to know

The closer the filter is attached to the bottom, the worse the aeration of the water is.

Aquael Micro Plus is capable of working at a depth of 3 cm. It is ideal for small round aquariums.

The best internal filters for the aquarium are produced by Poland (Aquael) and Germany (Tetra).

Reviews aquarists

As always, opinions are shared. Other aquarists are satisfied with Tetra filters, they agree that the devices work well enough, without complaints. And someone says that after the first disassembly and washing, the filter began to work worse, buzzing. And then it flows completely.

As for the reviews about the Aquael series, the situation here is the same as above. Someone praises the filters, indicates their long life and crystal clear water in the aquarium. And someone does not like the noise made by the device, and the appearance of the device.

Reviews of the internal filter for the aquarium of both brands are different. Choosing a device for the aquarium should, carefully studying the technical specifications.

Conclusion

Which internal aquarium filter is best? There is no objective answer to this question. How many people, so many opinions. One likes the Polish company Aquael, others prefer the German brand Tetra.

What to consider when choosing a filter? First of all, technical specifications. It must be understood that in an aquarium with a volume of 50 liters, a filter designed to service a 30-liter tank will be insufficient.

Secondly, the price category. A good filter cannot be cheap. The average price of devices with a minimum performance is 800 rubles. The more powerful the device, the more expensive it is.

And thirdly, you should think about the future inhabitants of the aquarium. For small fish, huge tanks with a powerful filter are not needed. A stream of water will simply kill the fish. Conversely, small filters are not placed in large aquariums. Not enough oxygen will kill its inhabitants.