Blog

Filter Cleaning Tests show that rinsing a filter with running water removes beneficial bacteria, not the chlorine!

There is the constant myth on social media that one needs to clean the filters and filter media in tank water to prevent the chlorine in tap water from removing and killing all the beneficial bacteria. This is simply a false myth.

Both beginners and experienced aquarium owners often make a big mistake that stresses fish in their aquarium. They give their new filters a thorough cleaning at the end of cycling. Or they clean their filters thoroughly once a month.

One myth that must be put to rest is the concept of a “nitrate factory”. Well-meaning but ill-informed commentators on social media very commonly dismiss this filter or that filter as “nitrate factories”: All Good Filters are “Nitrate Factories!

Aquaponic filtration uses plants to remove nitrates from the water. It is very misunderstood. Each small fish needs a lot of plants!

Substrate as a Filter: Two tests were run, both of which showed that the substrate in an aquarium does little in the way of biofiltration.

Function of Flow in an Aquarium: One of the biggest myths in the hobby is that flow and turn-over rate is important.

Water Flow Rate in Aquarium Filters: One of the biggest myths in the aquarium hobby is that a canister with an actual flow rate of 600 GPH (gallons per hour) can filter roughly twice the amount of fish that a canister with an actual flow rate of 300 GPH can filter.

Over-filtration is a constant topic on social media and is very misunderstood. Beneficial Bacteria don’t stop growing at a certain point!

There are three specific “tank syndromes” where a full list of tank parameters, INCLUDING WATER CLARITY, are useful.