FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Filtration Is Key
A fish tank is a closed system. So whatever goes in has to come out. To make this very simple, the lesser fish you have in a tank, the lesser you feed, the lesser germs, bad bacteria, lesser nitrates grow, the Ph will be more stable and you have to change lesser water.
To look at this from another angle, the better your filtration, the lesser work you have. Filtration also includes water flow and aeration.
In general, when we talk about filtration we have to look at 3 types. Mechanical filtration, biological filtration, chemical filtration. Most of filtration systems avaibable in the market are biological and mechanical filters.
HAPPY FISH, HAPPY OWNER
What Matters Most…
Flow, Aeration
Regardless of what filtration we are going with, there will be some water flow involved. If the flow of your tank is correct, you don’t need to siphon the gravel that much.
Air stones make the surface of the water move, also called surface agitation and there a gas exchange will happen. Oxygen gets into the water, CO2 gets out of your tank.
Mechanical filter
Filter socks, sponges, wool, or fully automated fleece filters.
Most people underestimate the importance of the mechanical filtration, which if fatal.
Just imagine, you change your filter wool daily, that means a lot of waste will be taken out from your aquarium and can’t cause any damage and the rest of your filtration has to work less.
Bio Filtration
Biological filter media can be housed in many differnt types of filter solutions.
A canisterfilter contains biological media, as well as Sump filters, and Overhead filters.
The job of the biomedia is to convert Ammonia into less toxic Nitrite and Nitrate (Nitrogen Cycle Aqurium).
Chemical Filtration
Our LSL Advanced filtrations are mainly chemical, as most ouf our reactors contain resins.
The resins of the Nitrate King will be charged with a common salt solution. Salt is the same people use for cooking without iodine. Salt provides CL- ions for the resin that can help to remove Nitrates from our tank water.
What Drives Us
Why We Do It
When it comes to filtration it is easy. The more, the better. Different types of filtration can be combined easily.
LSL was mainly born for one reason. All existing solutions were not satisfying for us to lower the maintenance and guarantee healthy fish. We had to find new solutions mainly modified from drinking water purification and food production.
DID YOU KNOW?
How Much Media Is Needed
The manufacturers normally state the performance of their products.
K1 Biomedia
1 liter can process 5 g of high protein food per day.
LSL normally plans with 50% of stated values. Rather go with oversized filtration, than having too small filters producing bad water quality which will definately harm our fish. So we calculate with 2.5 g per day to be safe.
A general rule of thumb used by many discus keepers is to feed them about 3% of the fish’s body weight per feeding. An adult discus weighing 75 grams should be fed approximately 2.25 grams of food per twice daily feeding.
So for 10 big discus we would approximately use 20l of K1.
Based on our experience, we have no problems recommending the right set up for each fish keeper and upgrading existing filtration systems.
THE POWER OF SURFACE AREA
In Filter Media We Trust
Biohome
Biohome is a sintered-glass filter media that effectively converts ammonia, nitrite into nitrate. It takes 2-3 weeks to reach its optimum bio-filtration capacity.
1 kg of Biohome is capable of treating 3 tons of freshwater.
K1
The K1 provides surface area for beneficial bacteria to grow and colonise. The K1 Bio Media is designed to be self-cleaning and to constantly move freely within your filter, requiring little to no maintenance.
Only disadvantage that the filtration is loud using that type of media.
SPONGES
Can be either a normal sponge filter or a Hamburger Mattenfilter (HMF).
The sponge allows beneficial bacteria to colonize and do the job to break down ammonia.
Sponges are very cheap and yet effective.
TYPES OF MARKET FILTER
Overview Filtration Solutions
SPONGE FILTERS
Many different types are available. They are cheap, small and easy to maintain. Sponges catch dirt, which is mechanical filtration, but also house bacteria which kick off chemical processes and the nitrogen cycle.
Disadvantage can be that sponge filters or Hamburg Matten Filters (HMF) have to be place directly in the tank and use up space. In combination with regular water changes very popular among fish shops, professionals and breeders.
HANG ON FILTERS
The volume for biological filter media very small. Maybe 0.5l of volume to house biological media. That space is not sufficient if you intend to run a larger aquarium. This type of filter is maximum for a 2 ft aquarium.
We recommend to use them only for as mechanical filtration, with no sensitive fish and low stockings. Daily water changes should be considered.
OVERHEAD FILTERS
A pump directly at the tank bottom lifts up water to the top of the tank where the mechanical filtration and the biological filtration is happening. Depending on height of tank, ladders to be utilized changing the sponges of the filter. Various types of media can be installed to enhance the performance.
Dirt from bottom will definitely be collected and there is a certain surface agitation guaranteed.
CANISTER FILTER
Ultra quiet, for smaller tanks definitely sufficient. For bigger tanks several canister filters required due to the volume of the canister.
Various types of media can be used. Chemical reactors can be hooked up in no time.
UV LIGHTS
A good way to keep germs and floating bacteria by the bay. Very efficient to prevent algae.
High electricity bill to be expected. For a 500 l discus tank you need to calculate at least with 50 W. Lamps have to be changed every year and are not cheap either.
SAND FILTER
Aside from the mechanical filtration, these filters also prevent germs, same like our Silicium Bead King.
Unfortunately the sand needs to be changed on regular basis, back flushing troublesome and clogs easily.
HYDRA STEAM, PURIGEN SEACHEM
The two options above to remove Nitrate from the tank fail, although we tried to modify the design of the Steam. This device was just not powerful enoug.
Seachem purdigen resins were working well, but the issue was after recharging with bleach there was a threat of poisioning our fish with Chlorine from the recharging process.
TWIN STAR
A small device placed in tank and splits O2 in water into O ions. These O ions are very reactive and destroy germs and algae spores.
In fact LSL was very curious to eventually place the Twinstars at a reactor and do further test.
Unfortunately the attempt failed.
Sump Tank
Extra chamber for over and underflow in tank required which needs space, but this filtration will give the biggest volume for various media and is highly customizable.
Advise if you are planning to get a new tank with a sump system: Don’t rush thing and plan properly. Check experinces of other fish keepers first.
Remove Unwanted Dirt Quickly
Theiling Rollermat
Automatic mechanical Filter for best water quality.
No more changing of filter wool
Fully automatically the dirt will be removed from your tank.
Each roll will last 4 – 6 months, depending on the waste production in the system until the complete fleece is used and has to be replaced.
WHY CHOOSE LSL AQUATICS?
Complete Package
Complete product portfolio to run your tank stable and smooth
Unique Products
Unique Products no common fish store offers
One Stop Solution
Filtration, Fish food, water conditioners, electronics, consulting
Efficiency
Run tanks with lesser effort changing water
Sustainability
Lesser water waste, lesser time maintenance
Healthier Fish
There is no doubt about good water will heal your fish.