Extreme Corals News and Updates

The Three Main Types of Reef Tank Filtration

Are you new to the Reef Keeping hobby and unsure of all the equipment that is used?

Here we will discuss the different types of filtration and the benefits of them. Read along to find out more information

by scott Shiles • March 15, 2023

Reef Tank Maintenance, Reef Tank Equipment, Corals


There are three main types of reef tank filtration: mechanical, chemical, and biological. Each type of filtration has its own benefits and can be used in combination to maintain a healthy and thriving reef tank environment.

Mechanical filtration: Mechanical filtration is the physical removal of debris and waste from the water in the reef tank. This type of filtration is typically achieved through the use of filter pads, filter socks, or protein skimmers. Mechanical filtration helps to maintain water clarity and reduces the amount of organic waste in the water, which can lead to high levels of ammonia and nitrite.

Benefits of mechanical filtration:

  • Removes debris and waste from the water column
  • Helps to maintain water clarity
  • Reduces the amount of organic waste in the water, which can lead to high levels of ammonia and nitrite
  • Helps to prevent the clogging of other types of filtration media

Chemical filtration: Chemical filtration is the use of various media to remove impurities from the water. This type of filtration is typically achieved through the use of activated carbon, phosphate removers, or nitrate removers. Chemical filtration helps to remove harmful toxins and pollutants from the water, which can be harmful to the health of the reef tank inhabitants.

Benefits of chemical filtration:

  • Removes harmful toxins and pollutants from the water
  • Helps to maintain water quality
  • Can help to prevent the growth of unwanted algae
  • Can help to prevent the formation of harmful bacteria and parasites

Biological filtration: Biological filtration is the use of beneficial bacteria to break down and remove waste products from the water. This type of filtration is typically achieved through the use of live rock or a biological filter. Biological filtration helps to maintain a healthy and stable environment for the reef tank inhabitants.

Benefits of biological filtration:

  • Helps to break down and remove waste products from the water
  • Promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria
  • Helps to maintain a healthy and stable environment for the reef tank inhabitants
  • Can help to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and parasites

In summary, the three main types of reef tank filtration - mechanical, chemical, and biological - each offer unique benefits and are necessary for maintaining a healthy and thriving reef tank environment. A combination of these filtration methods is typically used to ensure optimal water quality and the health of the reef tank inhabitants.

If you are looking to buy corals online, check out our collections of LPS, SPS, Soft Corals, and Zoanthids.

Photo is courtesy of @bayarea_reef on Instagram.


overall rating:
my rating: log in to rate
Water parameters of a Reef Tank and the chemicals that need to be added in order to maintain system
OG Bounce Mushroom popularity and introduction to the hobby

Please log in to leave a comment.

Recent Posts

Comparison of Acanthophyllia, Indophyllia, and Cynarina Corals in Reef Aquariums
Shipping live Corals
Aquarium Bliss: Discover the Best Corals for Beginner
Coral Diseases in Reef Tanks
10 Common Mistakes Beginners Make in the Reef-Keeping Hobby
Understanding the Distinction Between Hard and Soft Aquarium Corals
Exploring the Enigmatic Bounce Type Mushrooms: Care Requirements in the Coral Reef Hobby
A Guide to Understanding and Caring for Lobophyllia and Symphyllia Corals in Your Reef Tank
Care and Requirements of Keeping Xenia and Pulsing Xenia in a Reef Tank
Exploring The Most Popular Types Of Acropora
Fragging Zoanthids and Palythoas technique, equipment and method. Be extremely careful when doing this
Reef Tanks-A WINDOW TO ANOTHER WORLD
Why may it be a good idea to have a low level of Nitrates in a Coral Reef Tank?
Types of Chemical Filtration to use in Reef Tank
Trying to decide between a Large vs Small vs Nano Reef?
How to Care for Leptoseris in a Reef Tank
How to care for Mycedium in a Reef Tank
How to Care for Micromussa in Reef Tank
How to Care for Seriatopora in a Reef Tank
Top Invertebrates and clean up crew to add to a Reef Tank

Corals

Understanding the Distinction Between Hard and Soft Aquarium Corals
Exploring The Most Popular Types Of Acropora
How to Care for Leptoseris in a Reef Tank
How to Care for Micromussa in Reef Tank
How to Care for Seriatopora in a Reef Tank
Top Invertebrates and clean up crew to add to a Reef Tank
SCUBA DIVING AND REEF TANKS
OG Bounce Mushroom popularity and introduction to the hobby
The Three Main Types of Reef Tank Filtration
Water parameters of a Reef Tank and the chemicals that need to be added in order to maintain system
Purchasing Large Coral Colonies vs Frags for your reef tank
Feeding Different Types of Corals in a Reef Tank and the best foods to use
Purchasing Live Coral online and the most popular LPS, SPS, Soft Corals, and Zoanthids in the hobby. The degree of difficulty of each type and the lighting need for them to thrive
Evolution of Reef Keeping
How to acclimate Corals to your Reef Tank
Joys of Reefkeeping
How to Frag Corals growing in your Reef Tank
Examples of Fish to put in a Coral Reef Tank
How to Care for Bounce Mushroom in a Reef Tank
How to Care for Toadstool Leather in a Reef Tank

Categories

Corals
LPS Coral Care
Reef Tank Equipment
Reef Tank Maintenance
Soft Corals Care
SPS Coral Care
Zoanthids Coral Care
all

Archives

October, 2023
September, 2023
August, 2023
July, 2023
June, 2023
May, 2023
April, 2023
March, 2023
February, 2023 more archive dates
archive article list

For more information visit: additional resources