Ornamental Fish Production and Management

4.2.3 Filters

Conventional filters are usually designed on two working-principles:

A. Aquarium water is siphoned into filter unit where it is allowed to slowly pass through one or more filter media before being pumped up or air-lifted and returned to the aquarium tank.

B. Aquarium water is allowed to pass through the substrate at the bottom in a continuous circulation which is maintained either by air-lifting or by powerhead.

Most filters combine filtration with aeration (for optimizing dissolved oxygen concentration of aquarium water). Various measures are taken for aeration.

Canister Filter