The filters need to be fully submerged to work correctly. If the air pump is separate, it is usually located outside of the aquarium. If you are using an internal filter, you will need to make sure that the filter is completely submerged. This is done by placing a small amount of water in the bottom of your filter and submerging it completely. What Do Aquarium Filters Do? An aquarium filter has several jobs: Catch any debris that gets sucked up through the intake tube. This is called mechanical filtration, and most filters use some type of sponge or pad to prevent debris from flowing back through the filter and into the tank again. Provide a means of chemical filtration. This is To successfully set up the ideal planted tank without a filter, you must consider the number of fish, the number of plants, the plant types, and the overall layout. Aquariums overcrowded with fish will present a higher bioload that no amounts of plants could process. The concept of setting up a planted tank without a filter is easy in theory Best for Betta: Penn-Plax Cascade Hang-on Aquarium Filter. Best Budget: Marina I25 Internal Filter. Best Canister Filter: Zoo Med Nano 10 External Canister Filter. Best Sponge: AQUANEAT Aquarium Bio Sponge Filter. Best HOB: AquaClear Fish Tank Filter. Best for Planted Tank: Aqueon QuietFlow LED PRO. The first thing you should do is make sure you’re limiting the amount of time the light is on or off in the tank. During the day, your betta should be getting about 14-16 hours of light, and then they should also be getting 8-10 hours of darkness in the evening. The easiest way to make sure this happens is by turning the lights on when you Check the pH Level. The first step in putting a filter in your fish tank is to check the pH level of the water. A good pH range for most freshwater tanks is between 6. 5 and 7. 5, with some types of fish preferring a higher or lower range. If the water’s pH levels are too high or low, it can be harmful to your aquatic pets. Water filters are necessary for your tank. Depending on your fish needs and water quality parameters, fish can stay for a week. It’s not a good idea to leave your fish without a filter. After removing a filter, the bacteria will die off in 30 minutes. Second, if you don’t have a good filter, you will have to add more water to the tank to Reduce lighting: Do not place the tank where there is direct sunlight for even part of the day. Sunlight promotes algae growth. When using artificial light, make sure it is not stronger than necessary and is not on more than about eight to ten hours each day. Use a timer to turn the lights on and off each day. The first thing to evaluate is the size of your tank and the species of fish you plan to keep. Different species have different waste production levels, so it’s important to choose a filter that can handle the bio-load effectively. If you have a heavily stocked tank with many fish, you may need a more powerful filter to ensure proper filtration. Quarantine tank or container can house your fish in case the tank breaks or starts leaking. Quarantine tanks can also be used to house new or ill fish that need treatment. It doesn't have to be an aquarium, a large plastic bin is a good alternative. Spare heater: In case of malfunction, for a quarantine tank. 8GiP.