Aquarium filteration notes

Aquarium FiltrationAquarium Filtration

By Mr. “Let it Snow” ChapmanBy Mr. “Let it Snow” Chapman

Types of FiltrationTypes of Filtration

Two types:Two types:

ChemicalChemical BiologicalBiological

ChemicalChemical

Chemical Filtration: is Chemical Filtration: is when you use when you use activated charcoal or activated charcoal or ammonia crabammonia crab

The charcoal soaks up The charcoal soaks up dissolved minerals and dissolved minerals and chemicals.chemicals.

BiologicalBiological

Biological FiltersBiological Filters – – neutralize toxic neutralize toxic substances.substances.

What is the main part What is the main part of a biological filter?of a biological filter?

BacteriaBacteria

Penguin FilterPenguin Filter

Whisper FiltersWhisper Filters

Under Gravel FilterUnder Gravel Filter

Fluval FilterFluval Filter

Wet-Dry FilterWet-Dry Filter

Causes AmmoniaCauses Ammonia

Factors that contribute to increase in Factors that contribute to increase in ammonia:ammonia:

1. Increase in fish waste1. Increase in fish waste 2. Uneaten food2. Uneaten food 3. Dirty filter3. Dirty filter 4. No water changes4. No water changes 5. Overpopulation of fish5. Overpopulation of fish 6. Dead Fish6. Dead Fish

Fish DiseasesFish Diseases Ich Ich – is an external parasite, looks like – is an external parasite, looks like

little white dots all over the fish.little white dots all over the fish. Ich is the most common type of disease.Ich is the most common type of disease.

Fish DiseasesFish Diseases Hole in the HeadHole in the Head – caused by vitamin – caused by vitamin

deficiency or dirty water, skin breaks open deficiency or dirty water, skin breaks open and you have a decay of tissue.and you have a decay of tissue.

Fish DiseasesFish Diseases Fungal InfectionsFungal Infections – see white patches – see white patches

form on the fins and or body.form on the fins and or body. Looks like pieces of cotton.Looks like pieces of cotton. Caused by dirty water and malnutrition.Caused by dirty water and malnutrition.

ReproductionReproduction

Two ways fish Two ways fish reproduce:reproduce:

Egg LayersEgg Layers

Live BearerLive Bearer

FertilizationFertilization

External FertilizationExternal Fertilization – sperm reaches the – sperm reaches the eggs outside of the body.eggs outside of the body.

Internal FertilizationInternal Fertilization – sperm reaches the – sperm reaches the eggs inside of the body.eggs inside of the body.

Egg LayersEgg Layers Types of egg layers:Types of egg layers: 1. Egg Scatterers1. Egg Scatterers 2. Egg Buryers2. Egg Buryers 3. Mouth Breeders3. Mouth Breeders 4. Nest-Builders4. Nest-Builders

Can lay between Can lay between 1,000 – 10,000 eggs1,000 – 10,000 eggs

Live BearersLive Bearers

Live bearers have around 20-200 babies.Live bearers have around 20-200 babies.

Can tell the males from the females by Can tell the males from the females by looking at the anal fins.looking at the anal fins.

FemalesFemales

Females anal fins are Females anal fins are rounded (normal rounded (normal looking)looking)

MalesMales

Males anal fins are Males anal fins are straight and not straight and not rounded.rounded.