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Confused with all the
Filtration?
You can get help here!
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Proper filtration is critical to keep your Discus healthy,
thus making them and yourself happy! Since Discus demand 'A'
class water quality at all times, you need a complete filtration
system that should neutralize ammonia and nitrites, and remove
floating debris and contamination from the water.
There are three basic filtration methods; mechanical, biological
and chemical. Your filtration system should incorporate all
three of these. |
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Filtration |
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What it does |
| 1. |
Mechanical |
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Large particles of excess food and other
debris are removed from the water. This is achieved by flowing
water through fiber floss, gravel, foam, or other materials. |
| 2. |
Biological |
Fish waste, excess food and plant materials
decay and produce ammonia. Beneficial bacteria neutralize
the ammonia to produce nitrites and then to nitrates. Nitrates
in normal levels are harmless to your Discus. Thus the biological
system converts toxic ammonia into harmless nitrates; all
without chemicals or your assistance. |
| 3. |
Chemical |
Use of activated carbon and ammonia absorbents,
such as Zeolite, a natural occurring rock, to remove
odor, colors and harmful substances, such as ammonia,
from the water. With activated carbon, each piece
of carbon traps odors, medication residue, and dissolved
fish waste. Carbon also removes discoloration in cloudy
water. |
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Types of Filters
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| Overhead filter (box) |
The overhead (box) filter is what I recommend for Discus. I
am not saying all the other filter types are lousy or incompetent.
It's in my opinion that Discus would be healthy and grow well
with this type of filter. I learned this from Mr Chai, of the
Chai Discus Farm. I have also tried it myself.
Quote: He said, "I don't why Discus live well with
overhead filter, and I am yet to find out why."
The overhead filter is the best choice for combining chemical,
mechanical and biological filtration with ease of use. Being
external and over your aquarium, it's easy to maintain and change
anything in the filter box itself. My dad and I construct our
own filter boxes from acrylic sheets.
How it works?
Basically an electric pump draws water from your aquarium and
pumps it up into a filter box where there are a few sections.
These sections are typically filled with filter wool, filter
fiber, peat, 'O' rings, zeolite and activated carbon. For more
about the placement of filter media please go to our Filter
Media article.
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| Sponge filter |
Sponge filters are excellent for biological filtration. They
are poor for mechanical filtration. It is good for a quarantine
tank and not forgetting for those tiny Discus fry. With regular
rinsing of the sponge, a sponge filter will provide a little
mechanical filtration without endangering the baby fish. Sponge
filters have no chemical filtration capability.
The best sponge filter are those cylindrical shaped type mounted
on a weighted stand. These filters have large sponges that can
be stacked to increase surface for beneficial bacteria to thrive.
Many Discus lovers have nothing but a few large sponge filters
in their tanks. I call that cheap and good filtration!
How it works?
Sponge filters are driven by air pumps that draw water through
a sponge. To make mechanical filtration more effective, a power-head
can be place on top of a sponge filter, to draw water in and
then blow it out.
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