Filter Selection - A chart for picking the right type of filter for the right job

This is the BETA version of the filtration selection guide table, edited out of the *.aquaria FAQ rewrite group filtration article because it is too controversial.

created 10FEB95 last updated 05DEC95

CONTRIBUTED BY Todd Zebert

We have saved this selection guide for last, because we feel it is important that you understand the "whys" of filtration to make an intelligent choice.

Rating are (from best to worst) : Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, None

	Mechanical	Biological	Chemical	Denitrate	Maintenance
Water Changes	Fair(2)	Poor/None	Fair	Good	Fair
Corner	Fair	Fair	Fair(1)	None	Fair
Undergravel	Poor(2)	Good	Poor(1)	Poor/None	Poor
Reverse Flow Undergravel(6)	Poor	Good	None	Poor/None	Fair
Sponge	Poor	Good	None	None	Fair
Submersible	Good	Fair	Fair(1)	None	Fair
Power Filter	Good	Fair	Fair(1)	None	Good
Wet/Dry Power Filter	Good	Good	Fair(1)	None	Good
Canister(7)	Excellent	Poor	Good(1)	None	Good
Wet/Dry Canister	Excellent	Good	Good(1)	None	Fair
Wet/Dry	Poor	Excellent	Good(1)	Fair(5)	Good
"Live Rock"	Poor	Good	None	Fair/Good	Good
FF/PS	Good/Excellent	Excellent(4)	Fair(4)	Good(4)	Good
Fluidized Bed	None	Excellent	None	None	Fair
Denitrators	None	None	None	YMMV	Poor
Algae Scrubber	Poor/None	Fair	Poor	Fair	Fair

Notes:

• (1) With GAC, else None. This also assumes you use quality GAC and replace it often enought.
  
• (2) With regular gravel siphon, else None
  
• (3) this note was removed
  
• (4) Reduces need for these types of filtration
  
• (5) With Denitrating "sponge", else None
  
• (6) Run by a reverse power head with sponge prefilter. Those who run them from output of canister filters will have different characteristics.
  
• (7) Loaded with "standard" media -different media will give it different characteristics.
  

FF/PS means - Foam Fractionator/Protein Skimmer (known to work best in salt water, not so well in fresh water, though they are reported to be effective in Koi ponds.)

YMMV means "your mileage may vary"

Wet/Dry Power Filter means something like the "biowheel hang on back of tank" filters.

GAC means - gas/granular activated carbon.

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Written by Todd Zebert. Copyright 1995.