Sequence of filter media and structure of the filter (external filter) in the aquarium - layer by layer: Today we are processing a topic that was brought to us via Facebook. How do I place that filter media im Hamburg mat filter basin or at one external filter? What comes first the rough Filter mat or the Filter sponge and then the fine ones? Or where does the peat come from if you over Torf want to filter? What does the whole thing look like with the ceramic and clay tubes which are also under the name Siporax knows. Where are these then placed in the filter? Unfortunately, there are quite different opinions here. That's why we want to get to the bottom of things a little more closely and look at the structure of a filter.
Our general guide helps you to choose the right filter and who more Information about the HMF can be found in the large guide on this.
Order of filter media: Different types of filter media
If you look at manufacturers like Sera or Eheim, you have a very large selection of filter media. Many of these are different filter foams or filter sponges. These are distinguished in size and, above all, in the PPI, which indicates the density and grain size of the respective material.
Furthermore, the filter floss is still a real classic in external filters. This is usually installed in the last layer.
In our article on activated carbon filtration we have already discussed the advantages of carbon filtration in detail.
In addition, there are also peat filtering. This also has certain advantages, be it the influence on the water values or the fungus-inhibiting function. We would also like to point out an extra article where we have described the advantages in detail.
But today you can find a lot of other filter media, such as Sera Siporax, which is characterized above all by the very large surface. Also filter media like Eheim SubstratePro or special nitrate remover as advertised by Juwel with Nitrax nitrate remover. However, since this is not about the many different filter media, but rather about how to use them in the filter, we want to leave it with a further list. To name all of them here would go beyond the scope.
Order of filter media: Distinction between mechanical and biological filtration
Mechanical filtration is all about getting suspended matter and dirt from the aquarium into the filter. Biological filtering is also about allowing certain bacteria to develop, which in turn ensure that our water values in the aquarium are right. For example, peat or activated carbon and some organic substrates would be there to implement biological filtering.
There are also filter media that work in combination.
Order of filter media: The right order and combination of filter media in the filter
In order to get a good filter effect, you have to pay attention to the right order and the right combination of filter media.
Various factors are important here. On the one hand, filtration is about filtering the suspended matter and large particles out of the water. On the other hand, it is also about reducing harmful substances. This includes the conversion in nitrogen cycle and thus the Decomposition of ammonia / ammonium / nitrite and its transformation processes. This requires bacteria, which must first develop in a new aquarium. See also our article on running in an aquarium.
The filter also offers a decisive help here, because it is also responsible for providing a breeding ground for the necessary bacteria. So it's not just about crystal clear water when you use a filter, but also about improving the water parameters, to not put it too chemically.
- Improvement of the water values through breeding ground for important bacteria
- Improvement of the water by filtering the suspended matter
It does not matter which design the filter has. Filter media are not only available for external filters, but also for internal filters or the Hamburg mat filter. There, however, only if you operate a separate filter tank.
In order for this to work well, however, you should take some advice to heart.
Basically, when constructing the filter, you can assume that you should layer the coarse filter material to the fine one. This means that where the dirty and unfiltered aquarium water comes in, the coarse filter media should come first. This also applies, especially if you look at the filter foams with the different PI values.
The last layer before the water is released back into the aquarium should be very fine, so that the last pollutants and suspended matter are removed and get stuck in the filter medium. Conventional filter floss is still used there very often today.
So basically you can say from rough to fine.
Again and again, however, one sees errors, especially when one deviates from the conventional filter media.
Special case Siporax and biofilter media
You can't always act according to the "rough to fine" rule, because you sometimes have to consider certain differences. For example, the use of Siporax or other filter media aims to increase the filter surface and thus offer a very large base for the accumulation of Nitrobacter and Co bacteria. If you put these filter media in the first layer, the extra large surface would quickly become dirty and the many pores would close. Thus, the function of the culture medium would no longer be guaranteed and the actual function of the filter medium is gone. Therefore, for example, these media should be placed on the last layer.
So to the shift before it goes back to the aquarium. That would have the greatest impact. But if you look at descriptions and pictures on the Internet, then you see Siporax either as the first layer or somewhere in between. You shouldn't do this.
You could also say that this is not about mechanical but biological filtering.
Special forms such as peat or activated carbon
Also with these filter media you have to pay attention to which place or which order they get in the aquarium. Peat filtration usually has the purpose of making the aquarium water softer and more acidic. So a reduction in hardness and PH value. Therefore, this filter medium would be divided into a biological one. Going by logical common sense, peat wouldn't make any sense in the first place. Therefore, this should be placed at the very end or at least very close to the end in the filter.
The same applies to activated carbon filtration. It is used to remove drug residues from the aquarium water.
There is no general optimal structure of the filter (external filter).
Finally, perhaps a word about the many different opinions on how best to set up a filter. There is no general right or wrong. So you can not say in principle that this listing of the individual layers is correct. There are also many deviations, which can work just as well.
Especially when you look at the almost unmanageable variety of filter media. Be it substrates, pellets, grains of different types and structures, different materials such as ceramics, glass, clay and much more. Maintaining an overview is not always easy.
Therefore, we would like to conclude by advising that you can also try out a few things. You get feedback very quickly when you check the water parameters or simply look at the water. Especially when the optics are no longer right.
