Setting up your First
Tank
Now you need to look if the filter that came with your tank will perform
the job you ask of it. Most ready made system will have a filter that is
capable of dealing with waste products up to a stocking density of 1 cm
of fish per litre of water. If you bought your tank without a filter you
need to look at which filter to buy. Your decision is between internal
and external filters. There are various other filter systems that are
antiquated such as undergravel filtration or require a lot of
modifications to your tank such as a sump which requires your tank to be
drilled or fitted with an overflow.
A good external filter is the preferred of many experienced fishkeepers.
This has several reasons. You can put more filter substrate into an
external filter as compared to an internal one which allows for the
filter to stand for a longer period of time and also makes for easier
filter maintenance and increases filter efficiency which will lead to
less maintenance in general. An external filter will also increase the
overall water volume of your tank and you will be able to increase your
stocking density.
However, external filters tend to be more expensive than internal
filters.
Internal filters are not all bad and are quite sufficient for a
moderately stocked tank.
You can also run a combination of internal plus external filters.
All filters came with a recommendation as to
which
fish
filter materials to
use. For a first timer it is generally a good idea to follow these
recommendations.