Aquarium equipment: the right equipment for your aquarium

To ensure that your aquarium functions smoothly and for a long time, it must primarily have all the right pieces of equipment, which must be tailored to each other. This article tells you which components you really need and which you can use to complement your aquarium.

This equipment must be in every aquarium

Filter

The filter is the heart of the aquarium and delivers the clear, clean water that a stable ecosystem requires. It cleans the water mechanically and biologically.

How does the filter work?
Mechanical filter media trap most of the dirt. Organic variants tend to filter pollutants and impurities from the water and convert them into non-toxic substances. This is done by the useful bacteria that accumulate in the filter material. The replaceable material may be foam or non-woven sponges, clay tubes or ceramics. Whatever material is used, it is important that the water flows well through it and that it provides an adequate surface area for the bacteria. Sponges have the advantage that they clean mechanically and organically at the same time.
There is also filter material for special purposes. Activated carbon filters, for example, remove medication residues from the water more quickly. Filter media are also available for removing phosphate, nitrate or other pollutants. If necessary, simply insert them as a supplement to the normal filter.
The best way to support the content of your aquarium after you have cleaned it or replaced some of the materials is to use products from the AquariumActiv Range.
How big should the filter be?
The filter must not be too small for the aquarium. If in doubt, always buy a slightly larger one. Inadequate filtration could otherwise have a negative impact on your underwater world. Another benefit is that bigger filters extend the cleaning interval.
What types of filters are available?
Filters differ fundamentally in terms of size and capacity. And also by where they can be positioned. You should therefore select a model that suits your demands and needs.
External filter: This filter requires a space under or next to the aquarium. It is best accommodated in a base cabinet so that the hoses can be connected to the aquarium. An external filter takes up no space in the aquarium, is very stable and requires less cleaning than an internal filter.
Internal filter/internal corner filter: An internal filter is installed in the aquarium and is particularly safe. This is because this version requires no hoses to be routed outside the aquarium. In addition, bigger filters need cleaning less often.
Hang-on filter: The hang-on filter is a good compromise between internal and external filters. It is hung at the edge of the aquarium and does not need any hoses. The filter does not require space in the aquarium or in a base cabinet. It is particularly safe as the inlet is level with the water surface. In addition, this filter is easier to maintain from the outside than an internal filter. However, it is not suitable for every aquarium: There must be a recess in the aquarium cover or no cover at all and also sufficient distance from the wall to be able to hang it.
Thermal filter: Internal or external filters can be combined with a rod heater. OASE can supply several models (for example the BioMaster Thermo), where the heater is integrated in the actual filter. This makes the heater almost invisible and leaves more space in the aquarium. The rod ensures excellent heat distribution, as the water flows directly around it.

TO THE FILTER OVERVIEW

Lighting

Lights simulate the sunlight for the aquarium inhabitants and ensure that the natural rhythm of day and night is adhered to as well as possible. You should therefore adjust the lighting to suit the precise requirements of the plants and aquarium inhabitants. The intensity and duration of aquarium lighting is particularly vital for the survival of plants.

Tip: Lighting for 8 to 12 hours at full intensity has proven to be effective.

What lights are available?
LED technology has become established as the standard lighting. This is because it delivers many benefits for your underwater world. LED lighting enables you to respond to individual requirements much more accurately and more energy-efficiently, for example. A classic time-controlled fluorescent tube or LED, such as the HighLine Classic LED, can only simulate full solar power. Adjustable LED lamps, on the other hand, enable you to mix different colours, regulate the colour temperature and dim the light intensity. To enable you to set the appropriate lighting moods, you can control many LED systems using an app. The HighLine Premium LED Set can deliver pre-programmed sequences, for example. The special advantage of this is that if your aquarium contains wood and stones, you can achieve more accurate colour reproduction and more detailed illumination.

Heating and thermometers

Since aquariums mainly contain plants and inhabitants from warmer regions or the tropics, they must be heated. A heating system ensures that the pre-set temperature is kept at a constant level. For most aquarium inhabitants and plants, 24–26°C is sufficient. It is best to attach an aquarium thermometer to control the temperature. Additional tools, such as the electronic HeatControl thermostat, enable the temperature to be controlled and adjusted even more precisely. You can attach it to the cover or the outer wall.

What heating elements are available?
Rod or continuous flow heaters are usually used, with floor heaters being less common. The product should always match the aquarium size and should not be too powerful, particularly in smaller tanks.
Rod heaters: It is best to attach the rod heater, for example, the OASE HeatUp , to the rear wall or the side of the aquarium. If possible, it should be installed so that sufficient water can flow around it to heat up without the possibility of fish becoming stuck behind it. The temperature can be adjusted using a control on the upper part. Alternatively, there are thermal filters, such as the OASE BioPlus, FiltoSmartor BioMaster models. They provide filtering and heating in a single unit from outside the aquarium.
Continuous flow heaters: If there is no space in your aquarium or if you do not want to interfere with how it looks, use a continuous flow heater. Place it outside the tank in the filter circuit behind the external filter. The purified water first flows through the heater before it returns to the aquarium.
Floor heaters: The temperature in the aquarium can also be influenced by a floor heater. This is a cable that only becomes slightly warm, such as the HeatUp Basis. It is laid in loops on the floor of the aquarium. This device cannot regulate the temperature of the entire aquarium. Rather, it promotes the natural circulation of water on the floor and supports the growth of plant roots.
Note: This heating element should therefore not be used in Aquascapers with nutrient-rich soil, such as ScaperLine Soil.

Optional equipment and tools

UVC clarifier:
A UVC clarifier actively helps with UV light in green or cloudy water (caused by bacterial or algae bloom) and can generally reduce bacteria levels. Install it between the hoses that connect the filter to the aquarium (filter return).

CO₂system:
This system supplies the plants with CO₂ to help them grow more abundantly and prevent algae formation. In addition, a CO₂system can be used to lower the pH value of the water. This helps most plants and many fish.

Metering system:
Integrated pumps in this system can dose fertilisers or other desired additives with millimetre precision, time-controlled and automatically. This is especially useful if you are away from home or are otherwise busy.

Feeder:
This unit automatically feeds the aquarium inhabitants several times a day. The food volume is always tailored to the number of fish and the size of the tank. If you use the Fishguard, the food chamber closes again after feeding – so the food stays dry. An ideal solution if you are not at home or are on holiday.

Pumps:
Pumps perform various functions in the aquarium. There are therefore different versions, depending on their purpose. Pumps like the OptiMax ensure that the water circulates at the required rate in the aquarium and through the filter system. This helps maintain a stable ecosystem. Flow pumps create a realistic, natural water movement, the way the fish like it best. This can also be done using a controller or app, for example using the StreamMax Premium. Aerator pumps, such as the OxyMax, can "aerate" the water to provide the aquarium inhabitants with everything they need if oxygen levels are low. This is done using an air pump and a diffuser (air stone). They quickly and continuously create small bubbles in the water.

TO THE PUMP OVERVIEW

Surface skimmer:
Automatic suction devices (skimmers) help to remove "flotsam" such as biofilm, duckweed, leaves or other residues from the surface of the water. These are motor-powered "filters" attached to the interior walls. For example, our CrystalSkim delivers a crystal clear water surface.

Controller:
From the pump to the lighting, many devices can also be controlled conveniently using smart controllers – usually at any time and from anywhere, using an app. The OASE Control App enables you to illuminate and design your underwater world using the aquarium controller. If you are not at home, pre-set programs ensure reliable water circulation and feeding breaks. You can keep an eye on everything with notifications to your mobile phone or by email about possible error or status messages.