Filter Medium

Idagrex Water garden
& Aquatic Center

Aquatic life generates a variety of wastes which can rapidly reach toxic levels. Water purification cannot occur without some type of filter material. The proper use of effective and specific media for particular tasks is vital in aquarium filtration. Ideal water conditions very much depend on the correct use of filter media. We separate these types into mechanical, biological, adsorptive and chemical filter media.

Aquatic life generates a variety of wastes which can rapidly reach toxic levels. Tap water can also introduce undesirable elements. These wastes and bi-products must be removed. Water purification cannot occur without some type of filter material. The proper use of effective and specific media for particular tasks is vital in aquarium filtration. We separate these types into mechanical, biological, adsorptive and chemical filter media.

Mechanical filter media work much like a sieve trapping particulate waste as it passes through the material


	EHFIMECH A coarse mechanical filter material which is to be used as bottom layer filtering. Its hollow ceramic design creates eddies which disburse the water into many paths. It traps large debris while creating an even flow of water for subsequent layers.


	EHFIFIX A medium mechanical filter material which is to be placed between EHFIMECH on the bottom and the subsequent biological or chemical filter layers. It traps debris which has passed through the previous layer and acts as a divider. For models 2211, 2213, 2215/22176, 2222, 2224, 2226, 2228 a special pad is recommended.


	EHFISYNTH A completely neutral filter wool. The fine phenol free structure of this synthetic material traps tiny particles of dirt. It should be loosely placed as the last layer in your filter arrangement. For models 2222, 2224, 2226, 2228 we recommend a special EHFISYNTH pad.

		Filter pad Separates different filter media layers


	Biological filtration

A build-up of toxic nitrogenous wastes is a natural result of all aquarium inhabitant's life processes. In nature, the body of water is large enough to dissipate or dilute these wastes. Some will even be converted into usable energy by living organisms. Within an aquarium however, without a powerful biological breakdown of these toxins, the fish literally poison themselves. This is the reason why biological filtration is the most desirable of all aquarium filtration.

This type of filtration is the purification of the aquarium water by using living organisms, such as nitrifying bacteria. These desirable bacteria will attach themselves to all hard surfaces within the aquarium system. They use the toxins as a food, converting harmful toxins such as ammonia and nitrite into less harmful nitrate. Nitrate can then be removed by performing regular water changes.

After prolonged use, mechanical and chemical filter media will act in a biological manner. They provide some surface area for bacterial colonization but this is actually very limited. In order to provide the greatest amount of surface area for bacteria colonies, filter media such as EHFISUBSTRAT or EHFILAV should be used.

EHFISUBSTRAT

To create biologically sound water as found in nature, you need EHFISUBSTRAT. Biological filtering is based on a natural decomposition of harmful substances using helpful bacteria. They convert ammonia and nitrite into relatively non-toxic nitrate. The efficiency of biological filtration is limited by the media that bacteria are growing on. With over 450 ml per litre (22, 000sq. ft. per lmp. gal. / 18, 3000 sq. ft. per U.S. gal.) EHFISUBSTRAT is a specially designed sintered glass. Bacteria are able to stick better to a surface which has a complex pore system. EHFISUBSTRAT has been specially developed to offer optimum sites for bacteria colonization. The effectiveness of these bacteria is linked to how much oxygen and toxins can flow by. With faster decomposition of toxins compared to other media. Highly effective, economically priced, it is the best biological media available to aquarium hobbyists.


	EHFILAV A naturally occuring porous volcanic rock which is ideal for biological filtration where large debris is present such as ponds and highly stocked aquariums. This natural product is pre-tested for impurities before pachaging to ensure that it is free of toxins.


	Adsorptive filter media

Adsorptive filtration is a process in which dissolved substances are captured by solid bodies such as carbon. These dissolved substances can be harmful to aquatic life. They are generally of chemical origin such as chlorine in tap water, alkaline residues of aquarium medication and even some dissolved metals. However the toxic substances accumulate and the absorption capacity of the carbon is limited. With all types of carbon, the effectiveness is limited to a short period of time. They must then be removed from the filter, to avoid having the adsorbed substances washed back into the aquarium. We recommend that carbon be used for short -term only and for a specific purpose. After the inital aquarium setup or to remove medications or additives, turbidity, water discoloration and odor.


EHFIAKTIV This product offers the highest adsorption. It is alkali activated, acid-washed, pH neutral, heavy metal free and formed in a special compression mold to perform a rapid, highly effective adsorption of harmful substances and residues of medication.

	EHFIKARBON A high quality filter carbon. It is recommended for short-term use in freshwater aquariums.

		EHFITORF A specially treated media, which makes the water more acidic and lowers the carbon hardness. The peat filter is recommedable for soft water fishes in order to achieve a tropical aquatic environment. Just like in the case of all other additives the changed water property has to be regularly monitored.