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Mechanical Filtration

We start with the mechanical filtration. Sometimes this is called prefiltration. The main goal here is to remove large floating particles of uneaten food, fish waste, and plant waste.

There are many ways to accomplish this: sponges, pads, floss; practically any inert mesh-type material that will capture the dirt. Simple filter floss is very inexpensive and effective.

Depending upon the style of filter you choose, the prefilter media is situated where the water first enters the filter.

It may be that you use a small sponge filter on the intake tube of your power or canister filter. Some filters have special chambers for prefiltration media. Even the old-fashioned box filter with a layer of gravel and some filter floss will perform effective mechanical filtration.

These fine materials trap the dirt as the water passes through them. Mechanical filters must be changed or cleaned weekly . Most people do not realize that this is necessary!

Mechanical filters capture the gross particulates, solid waste, which must be broken down to liquid before they can be converted by the nitrifying bacteria. It is far more practical to simply remove the solid waste than to wait for it to liquefy and then expect the biological filter to deal with toxins. This is an error that leads to an overtaxed filtration system.

So whichever method of mechanical filtration you choose, keep it clean! This is one area where you don't have to worry about preserving your bacterial bed. Just wash, rinse, or replace that mechanical filter media as often as possible.

Written by Mary Ellen Sweeney