Aquarium Filtration & Filter Options

yellow tropical fish

Learn about the various aquarium filter types available for your fish tank, ranging from power filters, under gravel filters, to canister filters. Choose the filter that’s right for your aquarium.

Salinity & Specific Gravity

Lion fish in blue aquarium water

Learn more about salinity and specific gravity for saltwater and reef aquariums. Consistent and stable levels are essential for healthy saltwater fish.

Protein Skimmer for Reef Tanks

Clownfish in reef tank

The protein skimmer is highly recommended for every saltwater and reef aquarium. A well adjusted skimmer will remove significant amounts of waste from the water.

Is the Water Change Harmful?

Aquarium water changes can have your fish jumping for relief

Without a doubt, the water change is the most important part of aquarium maintenance. But can the aquarium water change have negative effects on the fish tank?

Nitrites and the Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle

Fish in a planted aquarium

Nitrites are a natural part of the aquarium nitrogen cycle. Nitrite is highly toxic for fish and levels must be kept undetectable at all times. Nitrite can quickly become lethal for fish.

Effects of Ammonia on Aquarium Fish

Pleco Catfish Hypostomus Plecostomus aquarium fish

Ammonia is a toxic by-product of the aquarium nitrogen cycle. It’s the first nutrient produced by nitrifying bacteria. Ammonia should never be detectable in an established aquarium.

Kalkwasser in the Marine Aquarium

niger triggerfish odonus

Even the most inexperienced hobbyist can easily make Kalkwasser. Kalkwasser is extremely beneficial for corals, coralline algae, and many reef inhabitants.

Chemical Aquarium Filtration

Naso Tang

Chemical aquarium filtration sounds more complicated then it is. While the processes may be technical in nature, it is easily achieved with activated carbon.

Aquarium Cycling Without Fish

Clown Fish in anemone

Consider cycling your aquarium without live fish. Using pure ammonia to cycle the aquarium avoids fish being exposed to harmful nutrients during the process.