If you are new to taking care of an aquarium, you have probably heard of the benefits of using a canister filter. This filter has a variety of uses that many aquarium owners prefer using these to hang-on type filters. Although the canister filter has a compact design, it is capable of performing mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration.

The canister filters and the hang-on type of filters are comparable in the way they look and perform their functions. However, one of their major differences is that the canister filter may be placed in different locations in the aquarium. Aside from hanging the canister filter, it may also be placed below the aquarium, which will allow you to improve the aesthetic appeal of the aquarium. It may also be placed inside the aquarium. This type of water filter is also referred to as ?submersible filter.? Because of the improved filtration mechanisms of the canister filter, this is usually recommended for those aquariums that have messy eaters that tend to produce a lot of waste.

One of the best advantages of having a canister filter is that it has a larger capacity compared with other filters. Despite the large capacity, it is more compact so you can hide it from view, if you would like to. On the other hand, one of the disadvantages of using canister filters is that they have to be frequently cleaned. This is because the filtration relies on mechanical means. The filtration device will be easily clogged up by the filtered wastes and these have to be removed as soon as possible to prevent the decaying matter to come back into the water.

The most noteworthy disadvantage of having a canister filter is the need to clean it frequently. Because this functions mainly as a mechanical filter, the debris from the water can easily clog it up. If you decide to submerge the water filter, clean up will get even more tedious than if the filter is located outside the aquarium. Despite the trouble in cleaning the filter, you have to do this often to prevent the decaying and toxic waste from coming back into the aquarium's water.

There are three types of filtration media found in the canister filter. These are the mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration media. The first level of filtration takes place when the water is allowed to pass through the glass wool layer that traps the solid wastes from the water. This is the part of the filter that gets clogged up, that you have to clean it regularly. The filtered water is then passed through the charcoal layer. Charcoal acts as an absorbent that traps the odor and some chemicals from the water. This procedure gets rid of ammonia and chlorine, which can cause the water to smell. The last filtration stage is the biological filtration in which bacteria are used to clean the water. Not all chemicals are trapped in the charcoal layer. Toxic nitrites have to be acted on by the bacteria in order to convert them into less toxic nitrate compounds.

Guide to proper choice of canister filters

1. Are the replacement parts readily available?

When shopping for a canister filter, you have to inquire if the store also carries replacement parts for the filter. Although the filter is durable and is guaranteed to last for a long time, there will be a time that you will have to change the parts of the canister filter as part of maintenance. It is best if you have spare o-rings, impellers, and rubber gaskets. You can?t be sure when you will need to replace them.

2. Type of aquarium

Before you purchase a canister filter, you have to inform the seller on whether you have a freshwater or a saltwater aquarium. There are canister filters that are not appropriate for saltwater and you have to clarify this before you close the sale.

3. Installation process

At first, an aquarium expert can help you with installing the filters. However, after this, you are on your own. Choose a canister filter that is easy to maintain and replace, even by a non-technical person. There are lots of advantages in getting a canister filter for your aquarium. Just keep these simple tips in mind when getting one so that you maintain the balance in your aquarium?s ecosystem.