Planted Tank Basics - Aquarium Filtration

There are many different types of filtration available for your tank however by far the best are external filters. DO NOT ever, use an Underground Gravel Filter in a planted tank. It will do more harm than good as the base fertiliser will seep through and get blown out into the main water column.

The best choice for small tanks are internal filters, the best choice for medium to large are external cannister filters which is the best. Your filter should filter 5-6 times the amount of water of your tank per hour.

So for a 20 gallon tank your filter should do atleast 100 gph, for a 50 gallon it should do 250-300 gph. Try to avoid wet/dry filters, sumps and trickle filters as the added air contact aids in CO2 loss.

The basic filter medium you should have are:
1. Course filter wool - To filter out large particles
2. Fine Filter Wool - To Filter out smaller particles
3. Ceramic Rings - To cultivate beneficial bacteria
4. Peat Granules - To soften the water and lower PH (optional)

My recommendations:

Internal Filters:
- Boyu
- Dolphin (My favourite)
- Resun
- Eheim

External Canister Filters
- Eheim
- Resun
- Jebo
- Fluval

Feel Free to contact me if you have any further enquiries or need assistance
Do post your comments too!