While mixing tap water in to create a saltwater solution the use of a tap water purifier cleans out bacteria and viral threats to you aquarium life.

There are many good systems available on the market that will process tap water effectively.

These tap water filtration systems are needed by people wanting to create saltwater by mixing tap water as their water source in mixing up fresh saltwater of their marine, and reef aquariums.

With these devices manufactures research has concluded that UV light is more effective at killing viruses than chlorine.

A good example of this is the Tap Master ULTRA Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System that filters and lamp in this product change out quickly.

When the purification systems do not use chemicals, or contain the resulting by-products of these chemicals the flavor of the water is consistent.

If we can taste the difference, these chemical reactions will affect the balance of ph in the tank. This is why using a ultra-violet system is better for the resulting saltwater mixture.

There are home-made water filters made from PVC pipe, a commercial filter, a fabric hose and rubber cement glue. But this method has not incorporated a tested or untested UV light into the filtration process yet.

The water purifier filters the water down to a micron. Then it is flushed into a chamber where the UV light is focused intensely so that it penetrates cell walls of dangerous organisms. This either kills the organism, or destroys their DNA. This destruction makes it impossible for them to propagate further.

There are four methods of water purification: Chlorine, Ultra-violet radiation, iodine, and distillation. The Environmental Protection Agency says that ultra-violet radiation is the safest, most effective water purification method.

The effects are immediate. This UV process leaves no chemicals in the water at all.

If the water is murky, the unfiltered particulate could potentially block the UV from effectively reaching the organism.

In filters like the Tap Master Ultra UV is on of three methods of purification used.
This can cause one system adversely affect another system.

In the case of this product: The iron and magnesium can damage the casing of the ultra-violet light. The manufacturer recommends a life on each light for this reason.

Without anything to compare to it, determining if this is due to deliberate design flaws in order to sell more UV bulbs on the part of the manufacturer or the industry.

It is true that using a tap water purifier makes mixing fresh saltwater for an aquarium cheaper than buying water that is already professionally distilled. And purifiers with more than one method for removing or killing off dangerous material or organisms via ultra-violet light is the best way to accomplish this.

Many saltwater tank hobbyists as well as zoo aquariums around the world use the Berlin Filtration System. This system has been proven effective quite thoroughly.

These three components are:

• Live Rock (LR) – Reef Rock that has fallen in ruble piles on the side of the reef opposite the closest shoreline. This is used to change ammonia naturally produced in the tank into nitrates/nitrites through providing a home for bacteria that perform this vital task.

• A Protein Skimmer is a mechanical device that acts as a stabilizer. In nature the bacteria that live in dead cell oxygen free portions of a coral reef provide natural filtration by conversion of excessive biomaterial into gas. This process is easy to reproduce in the reef tank. However,in an enclosed tank; often fish and other biological life produce more biomaterial than a reef can process. The protein skimmer brings the balance back to the tank.

• The Metal Halide Light provides the right amount of light that can be balanced with spectral light that is natural to the day and night environment of a coral reef.

Each aspect of the Berlin Filtration System has an interesting appeal to various peoples fascination and curiosity.

The natural balance of live rock filtration; mechanical precision of protein skimmer showing off the human potential for management in nature; or how spectral light can affect an ecosystem. Showing the human managerial mind how something as seemingly unconnected as the Sun and the small biology of macro organisms blend together in life sustaining synchronicity.

This filtration combination originated in Germany: The idea of this system is to rely as much as possible on the live rock, and natural diffusion to filter the tank.

The Berlin Filtration System is used by many hobbyists around the world to keep salt-water reef aquariums clean and clear.

A protein skimmer removes waste produced by fish and invertebrates that in a non-contained reef would naturally be filtered out.

A protein skimmer is the second tool in the Berlin Filtration System.

Protein skimmers come in various sizes, all dependent on the needs of your tank.

The cylinder has a mechanism that floods the water chamber with air bubbles.

This mechanism used varies from one product to the next. Different kinds of valves, a pressured water pump, or air stones are used.

Some of the more popular models are Nautilus TE-in-Sump Protein Skimmer, Red Sea Berlin Airlift 60 Internal Protein Skimmer (60gal), Prizm Skimmer – Deluxe – 9 34 in. x 5 34 in. x 13 34 in, and Visi Jet.

Looking at what each company has to offer for the size talk you are working with, along with how many living creatures your tank will be hosting are key things to keep in mind.

The foam fractionation protein skimmer balances out what your growing reef rock cannot. They help keep tanks clear and looking great for many years to come.

ProClear BioBalls are basically blue discs with prongs that make them spherical like in nature, thereby offering excellent surface area for the growth of beneficial aquariumbacteria with ample spaces for oxygen in any wet/dry biological sump filtration system.

For saltwater or freshwater aquariums or ponds, filled with fish, coral or invertebrates alike, these bioballs will keep your aquarium water crystal clear and healthy, processing ammonia and nitrates into breathable substances that your aquarium pets will enjoy.

Like most biological filters, bioballs should come with a prior mechanical filtration system.

But any small materials, shouldnt be a problem for bioballs geometric design because they naturally tend to avoid clogging, with both ample spaces for oxygenation and surface area for bacterial growth alike.

ProClear Aquatics Bio-Balls are a natural and effective way to take care of dirty fish aquarium or pond water, avoiding clogging; this bulk quantity comes with 3000 units and will filter between 600 and 800 gallons safely; keeping your aquascape impeccable.

Measuring only 1 inch in diameter, 225 of these bio-balls can take care of anywhere between 45 and 60 gallons of thriving aquarium water.

Bioballs have an advantage over traditional biological media, in that they were designed to maximize biological filtration in less space, to achieve a healthier aquarium environment in either fresh or saltwater marine aquariums.

One gallon (225) of bioballs has a surface area of about 21.5 square feet due to their spherical nature, allowing air pockets and surface areas to benefit from the most efficient amounts of oxygen and water to flourish.

This bulk package contains 9000 one-inch diameter bio-balls, will occupy as little as 4.5 cubic feet of wet/dry sump space and take care of 2400 gallons of appropriately populated aquarium water.

Coralife Bio-Balls (Bulk) gives you more biological filtration for more heavily populated aquariums, keeps the water clear, the environment healthy and takes up far less space in your wet/dry sump.

This high quality tank filter, compact hang-on aquarium filter comes with a two in one option, of mechanical/carbon filtration that does an efficient job of polishing water to that crystal clean quality.

250 gallons per hour, with dual flow, completely self-contained, easy to maintain and easy to move around for aquarium shows and can be for either saltwater or freshwater fish tanks.

Just a simple snap-lock and the leak proof connectors completely eliminate the traditional need for hoses and tubes.

Also known as Hot Magnum, this aquarium filter has an almost silent motor with electronics safely encapsulated in epoxy and was designed for lightweight strength that is durable and long lasting.

The whole kit comes with Carbon/Media container, Rite-Size foam sleeve, reusable pleated micron cartridge, Black Diamondpremium activated carbon, efficiency intake strainer, split-flow diffuser, snap-lock connectors, stainless steel hanger and a cleaning brush.

The canister itself measures 5W x 6D x ½H, the external canister is only 4.5 deep and it comes with an eight foot power cord.

With a two-year guarantee, Hot Magnum hang-on fish tank ships at 4.3 pounds.

Magnum hang-on tank filter keeps water crystal clear, the same quality aquascapes use to ensqual our shore dwelling senses; billowing our minds eye into the imaginary realm of Neptunes depths, at but a single magical glance.

As with all traditional sump filters, those who want to experiment and improvise with different filtration patterns or media, will find that the Fluval 5 Series provides both the freedom to improvise as desired or just use out of the package as desired in a container that is both aesthetically pleasing as well as practical.

The Fluval 5 Series of External Canister Filters have a complete multi-stage filtration system with a modular design allowing for quick and easy maintenance that can be as versatile as the most basic or custom media configurations.

With instant priming, lift-lock clamps and an Aqua-Stop feature that impedes water flow without even disconnecting hosing, they run on 60 Hz, are included with media and have a quality guarantee of 3-years.

The 105 , 205 , 305 and 405 models all come in either black or silver, use 110 volts, include ribbed hosing and 2 Foam as well as being UL approved:

Fluval 105 External Filter – Handles up to 100 liters of saltwater aquarium water and comes with 1 x Carbon (70 g) and 1 x Glass Biomax (200 g).

Fluval 205 External Filter – Handles up to 200 liters of saltwater aquarium waterand comes with 2 x Carbon (70 g) and 2 x Glass Biomax (200 g).

Fluval 305 External Filter – Handles up to 300 liters of saltwater aquarium water and comes with 3 x Carbon (70 g) and 3 x Glass Biomax (200 g).

Fluval 405 External Filter – Handles up to 400 liters of saltwater aquarium water and comes with 4 x Carbon (70 g) and 4 x Glass Biomax (200 g).

Fluval FX5 External Filter – Different from the other models, the FX5 was designed to handle professional sized saltwater aquariums, of up to 1,500 liters.

It is black with orange fringes, has a self-priming instant-start system that siphons on its own as well as a quick-fit AquaStop valve that automatically regulates water flow that makes for both a leak proof maintenance and a fast set-up.

Using 120 V, at 60 Hz, this filter takes 50 W to process a maximum of 3,500 liters of saltwater per hour. Only 17 inches high and 16 inches wide, six foam filters are included.

Depending on the size of saltwater aquarium you are using, the Fulval 5 Series External Canister Filters come ready for 100, 200, 300, 400 and 1,500 liters, are practical, efficient and most of all, aesthetically pleasing to the eye, while allowing you total freedom in the art of sump filtration, that has always been the mark of ocean aquarists.

Want to take a look at the Fluval 05 Series Manual? (requires adobe reader)

All three models of the Eheim Ecco series filters are self-priming with a quick release cover, and a multi-functional handle.

Ecco 35 Gallon Filter
Ecco 60 Gallon Filter
Ecco 80G Gallon Filter

The smaller Ecco holds three liters of saltwater at a time while the medium will hold four and the larger five.

Each pump will push more amounts of water, with the smaller one pushing 400 liters an hour, the middle one 500 and the larger one 600 liters total.

The dimensions on these three models are small (205 x 298), medium (205 x 355) and large (205 x 416)

Removable media containers help make this series easily customizable with three stage filtration for optimal performance; mechanical, biological and chemical.

The media is included with all three sizes and along with a decent two or three year guarantee, boasting the name Eheim is a tradition that goes back more than forty years with a passion for canister filters since the worlds first was ever invented.

As one of the worlds undisputed leaders in high quality filters, pumps and technical accessories for the entire aquarium industry, Eheim canister filters pursue constantly renewing standards in fish keeping.

Eheim Ecco is one of Eheims more innovative products; developed especially for the saltwater aquarium hobbyist that likes to experiment with easily modifiable sump configurations in an aesthetically pleasing external filter.

Trickle filters are exactly what their names say; they slowly filter water through a sump in a diverse pattern of, two different biological filters together in one as you see most appropriate.

If you dont have time to mess around with acrylics and glue to make your own sump, or dont have an old aquarium lying around with some ideas of modification, you might want to think about getting one like those made at Precision Marine.

Precision Marine has been manufacturing custom-built trickle filters for years with a passion and now offers two different sizes, the T30 and T36.

Both have a heavy-duty construction with a vented bio-chamber as well as a large bio-chamber and have been designed to serve the most common saltwater aquariums.

If you are looking for a good biological sump filter separate from the rest of your system, trickle filters made by Precision Marine might just be the thing to save you time on do-it-yourself acrylics.

Precision Marine Systems
1144 Pride Drive
New Braunfels, Texas 78132
Phone: 830-626-2401

A Saltwater aquarium filter is any mechanical, biological or chemical procedure that artificially removes the excess of impurities found in the intensely compact marine ecosystem of saltwater aquariums. Filters come in many shapes and sizes, from home made, to store bought, and the designs are as varied as the needs of the independent aquarist. Mechanical filters for saltwater aquariums are those which usually come first and require most maintenance as they tend to get dirty on a regular basis. Biological filtration systems are more advanced and ecologically sound than mechanical filters as they tend to recreate the conditions of natural filtration found in the sea. Chemical filters, are usually the last system to be used in the process of saltwater aquarium purification as it is the finest filtration process, working on a molecular level.

Marine aquarist enthusiast, have an old tradition of doing things themselves, as it was not always so easy to find filters in the local pet shop. Home made mechanical and biological filters hidden underneath the aquarium stand or even as an attraction are the most common combination of filters found in saltwater aquariums. But store bought filters that hang on the top (HOT), or hang on the back (HOB), are also frequently seen in these home setups. The most important systems however in saltwater ecosystems, have a primary and secondary filtration system. Primary is usually some kind of mechanical while secondary is usually a biological filtration system. Some sump filters (isolated home made filters) use a combination of filtration systems that disqualify mechanical filtration completely in favor of multiple biological filtration systems.

Mechanical filters are the most important systems in a saltwater aquarium as they reduce the amount of large organic materials, before they have been broken down. Saltwater aquarist use first and foremost the protein skimmer as it uses the natural foaming nature of tides to clean highly polluted saltwater. Foams, sponges, canister filters, box filters and such are all, used as well, like screens that easily remove the larger particles from the water. But must be cleaned regularly (sometimes daily) unlike the protein skimmer which only requires an occasional cleaning and air stone replacement. Pumps and tubing however are the most important items to be kept clean in mechanical filtration systems for the saltwater aquarium, as they usually need to be very powerful, and get clogged easily.

Biological filters get the most out of the whole ecosystems setup, as they maintain chemical balances and levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide with little need of fine tuning or maintenance. Live rock, live sand and underwater gravel filters are the most common as they tend to be closest to nature’s natural way of doing things. Aquarists that are really into filtration tend to use fluidised bed filters when they can, as a third or fourth stage in filtration, because the constant movement of sand particles against each other work as one of the most efficient saltwater biofilters. Trickle (wet/dry) filters, are great for oxidization of saltwater, as they are almost maintenance free and are in constant contact with flowing air, these usually find themselves in the sump category. Rotating drum filters are wonderful additions to a waterfall, or any current near the surface of the tank, as they rotate constantly, offering high oxygenation and excellent biological filtration.

Chemical filters are still in an area dominated by active carbon. But some specific resins and other chemicals can be used in direct treatment of disease and algae bloom. Basically active carbon offers a place for unwanted molecules to take up root and not return to the ecosystem. Mostly active carbon is necessary when higher levels of ammonia tend to threaten the delicate balance between decomposers, plants and other marine organisms.

As there are many different types of filters that can be used in saltwater aquariums, the most important ones are those that take care to maintain the delicate balance of nitrites, nitrates, ammonia, oxygen and CO2, for that aquarium setup. Mechanical filters do the work of separating the larger debris from the water, usually as a primary stage of filtration. Biological filters are more common, and usually tend to follow a more ecologically developed strategy for refining organic breakdown material in the aquarium, is a secondary stage of filtration. Chemical filtration is the finest process and relies on at least a primary filtration system, as it works on already well refined pollutants, usually on a molecular level.

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