You intend to buy a new aquarium, and concerning which filter is the most favorable? Do not stress your nerves! This article would be your savior. Lots of mess occurs when you have to select an adequate filter for your aquarium. To conserve your time and stop this hustle for you, we are here to the best of our knowledge. Fish typically produce inconspicuous types of waste in their water. This water should be treated under a sound filtration system to guarantee a healthy living environment for your fish.
After investing a great effort in pondering what type of filter is suitable for the environment and tanks, I am finally delivering my information to you. There are two basic and most used types of filters existing in the aquarium world. Fortunately, you will find that both types of filters have their advantages and benefits. This effort would be beneficial for you to search and finalize the appropriate filter according to your tank and environment.
After digging into the details of the differences between canister filters and power filters, you will be able to select an adequate filter to work with your aquarium.
Functioning of Power Filters And Canister Filters
Both the canister filters and power filters work on different operations. These operations depict their functioning and efficiency.
Power Filters
Power filter works with easy and convenient operations. The functioning of the power filter is quite simple and does not involve any rocket science. It usually is located and hung on the backside of the aquarium. You can get these power filters and make yourself stress-free from their functioning as it works well on its own and does not require your efforts.
This power filter functions by taking water from the aquarium with the help of a tube into its filter system. This dirty and impurified water is then cleaned and purified by the use of chemicals like carbon. This procedure not only removes the impurities but also removes the unnecessary dirt and debris present in the water.
If you want to add to the benefits of your filtration process, you have the choice to get any mechanical, chemical, or biological filtration system. These can work separately or in combination with each other. Make sure to keep in mind the model of the filter you are using. This cleaned water is now transferred back to the aquarium through the most commonly used methods as overflow and spillway.
Canister Filter
With more power and larger filtering space, these canister filters are more suitable and adequate. They can manage and clean an immense amount of water quickly and are recommended for saltwater and planted aquariums. This is because saltwater aquariums and planted aquariums create more significant amounts of waste and impurities. And these canister filters are perfect for handling this much waste.
The drawn-up impurified water is taken by lift tubes to ensure that it enters the external chamber of the canister filter. Here is the place where there is the presence of mechanical, biological, and chemical media which is responsible for filtering this dirty water. After proper operations and mechanisms of cleaning water through these processes, the water is then sent back to the tank for fish to enjoy a healthy environment.
Canister filters are also sealed and do not allow the air to enter, ensuring more purity and maintaining a healthy cleaning system. Furthermore, different filters operate on different modes, from bottom to top and top to bottom, and sometimes back to front and front to back. You can select the one according to your preference and convenience. While selecting, keep in mind the location of your aquarium and where you will locate the filter.
Cost of Power Filters And Canister Filters
The expenditure on both power filters and canister filters is different from each other. It generally depends upon their functioning and characteristics.
Power Filters
Power filters, because of their compact size and less fatigue, are cheaper and more affordable than canister filters. These power filters generally come with an aquarium as a part of them. Furthermore, their spare parts are also affordable and are readily available in the market. You are not required to put strenuous efforts into maintaining these power filters. You can easily purchase the spare parts from any aquarium shop at a pretty affordable price.
Canister Filters
They are expensive and come in a wide variety of prices because of multiple brands and companies manufacturing them differently. These canister filters are comparatively complicated and require more expenditure on maintenance too. Because of their tricky and efficient functioning, they are costly both in terms of buying and maintaining. Well! I never prefer cost over performance. Ensure to get the adequately best product for your aquarium.
Maintenance Of Power Filters And Canister Filters
Maintaining is an essential feature that is necessary for any product to make it durable. Make sure to spend time and money on maintenance of both power filters and canister filters to ensure their performance efficiency.
Power Filters
Power filters are relatively smaller than canister filters, so it is evident that maintaining the power filters is convenient compared to canister filters. As the functioning of these power filters is more accessible, the maintenance of them is also convenient and does not involve much effort and money. Furthermore, these filters, because they hang outside the tank, are easy to assess and maintain. It will not take much of your time dealing with power filters.
For proper maintenance techniques, you first need to learn about the parts that should be clean. Proper knowledge of parts and their functioning will help you maintain your filters more accurately without affecting their efficiency. These power filters contain a removable filter tray and have a mechanical filtration sponge located on them. It would be best if you rinse this tray once a week at least to make sure it is clean from the impurities and lousy dirt and debris.
You can even go for aquarium tube cleaning kits which are readily available in the market. Make sure to get them for more convenience and outstanding maintenance. Keep in mind that if your power filter is using a chemical filtration method, then most probably it is using activated carbon. This activated carbon sucks up all the impurities and makes the water pure again. Keep in mind to replace it for maximum filtering performance.
Canister Filters
These filters are highly reliable and recommended because of their versatility in functioning, as they work efficiently for saltwater aquariums, freshwater aquariums, and planted aquariums. Although the filter hangs outside the tank, the hoses and pipes are inside the aquarium, submerged in water. Maintenance of canister filters is quite complicated and requires more time and effort. You need to spend money, give your attention and spend time to maintain canister filters.
Your canister filter contains chambers, bags, and sometimes baskets. Keep in mind to clean these parts regularly and not wait for a proper cleaning setup to clean them. After some use, there is a need to replace these parts, which generally costs a good amount of money, giving you a pocket breakdown. But this replacement is necessary to make your canister filter overall durable.
With canister filters, there are tubes attached, and you need to get a tube cleaning kit which is a vital tool giving proper cleaning and maintenance to the tubes. After getting these cleaning kits, you can clean these tubes once a week to make sure they work with the same efficiency as they were working before. Undoubtedly these tips will help you in maintaining your canister filters to last longer. You will feel happy when you see your pet is enjoying clean water. The health they will provide to your fish would be worth spending time and money on.
Advantages Of Power Filters And Canister Filters
Power Filters
Power filters are easy to install and do not require much effort.
They are affordable, and their spare parts are also readily available in the market.
These filters are efficient in maximizing the aeration and oxygen level.
Power filters are convenient to maintain without any strenuous efforts.
These filters are compatible with many different types of aquariums, so you can get one and use it with various aquariums.
I recommend a power filter for beginners because of their ease of functioning and maintenance.
Canister Filters
Canister filters are renowned for working with more efficiency and productivity.
They can conveniently tackle large amounts of water, so they are ideal for large aquariums.
As canister filters are usually sealed, so they do not allow any water loss during cleaning.
These canister filters are healthy and safe for fish.
They work excellently in saltwater and planted aquariums.
With these canister filters, you have the availability of the option to choose the most favorable media for filtration among mechanical, chemical, and biological.
Disadvantages of Power Filters And Canister Filters
Power Filters
Power filters are risky for fish.
During the cleaning process, it has been noticed that power filters are responsible for a significant amount of water loss.
These power filters are less efficient compared to the canister filters.
Canister Filters
Canister filters are pretty expensive because of their advanced level of functioning.
The installation of these filters is not very easy and requires proper understanding and careful handling.
Canister filters require more effort and money on their maintenance.
FAQs
Is a canister filter the best?
The canister filter is generally said to be the best for saltwater and planted aquariums. This is because saltwater and planted aquariums produce large amounts of waste and these canister filters are best in dealing with a significant amount of impurities. Fish remains safe, and there is no loss of water in canister filters. They work with more power and efficiency as compared to other filters.
Do aquarium filters use a lot of power?
Aquarium filters operate many of the functions individually while filtration processes. When functioning independently, they do not use lots of power. Whereas, when operated in coordination with each other, they do use lots of power.
What type of filters should you use with your aquariums?
It is totally up to you. Two basic types of filters are in most aquariums which are power filters or canister filters. Every kind of filter has its pros and cons. Read them correctly and get the most suitable one according to your aquarium, environment, and pocket.
Why are canister filters expensive?
Canister filters are expensive because of their advanced functioning and efficiency. They are complicated and tricky as compared to power filters. You are required to spend a good amount of money on buying them and also when it comes to maintaining them.
Conclusion
At this point of the article, we will be summarising both power filters and canister filters to make them easy for you to understand. Go with the selection of power filters if you are looking for an affordable and less powerful system to deal with your small aquariums. Whereas I would recommend you manage some more costs and get the canister filter for the aquarium to ensure no fish is harmed and no water is lost during the filtration process.
