Why is Mechanical Filtration is so Effective and Widely Used? - Filtration 101

Filtration 101 returns and it's time to talk about a type of filtration that is so widely used, it's almost a given to be part of your tank: mechanical filtration. Whether its a sponge filter, filter floss, foam pads, custom cut, or a pre-filter sponge - mechanical is prolific and effective, let's talk about why and understand the massive benefit of mechanical filtration.
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[@MasterPhotographer]

Your content continues to be an incredible source of unbiased information. That’s why I’m a member, and will continue to be a member. 👍

[@johnjwedrall4290]

Thanks for the explanations on filters 👍

[@MikeLovesLifeAquatics]

This is my first video I watched and its very educational!! Love the Info!! New sub

[@pas100657]

On all my tanks 40 breeder and smaller I’m using HOBs and sponge filters. All the HOBs are hotroded coarse intake w/sponge, polishing pads & biomedia in the box. The 120 has an Eheim Pro 3 juiced the same way along with a Magnum internal canister just for polishing.

[@WAF74]

Bentley, I forgot to add: 3 types of filtration: Move it, Eat it, or Treat it. Even a *water change* -- whether or not you use a syphon (one of Archimedes' simplest *machines* ) -- is mechanical filtration. You're just _moving_ the waste (and some water) out of the tank and down the drain.

[@williamleidy6713]

I opted for a small sponge filled internal canister filter . I rent . So I need to keep my water in the tank . When I owned a home and had three tanks I used under gravel / HOB combos . My tiny Tetra internal can moves the water through the filter about 1.5 times per hour. I clean it once a week and replace the moderately course sponge once a year. Biological filtration and plants obviously do most of the work.

[@adkgaladkgal1799]

I use DIY above the tank filters Powerheads pump water up, hose connectors secure the hoses under bottle caps, use sponges,quilt batting,lava rock I have 2 tanks. Filters aren't pretty but i am old, not physically 100 working body but love my tanks.very Easy to maintain

[@CopenhagenDreaming]

For some, a pretty fish tank is a main component of their enjoyment, while for others it's less important. I think what matters is that it makes you personally happy and that it enriches your life. (And that the fish are properly cared for, of course! But fish don't care if a filter is pretty or not; I don't believe they're known to be great aesthetes...) Above-tank filtration might be something I'd consider in the future. I really hadn't thought of it as an option, but I can see how the right set-up could make maintenance easier. You've given me food for thought.

[@Shrimpspiration]

Thank you Bentley for helping me realize why my 180g planted tank was so cloudy for the past few weeks, just cleaned the intake sponge, and boy, was it dirty!

[@kosys5338]

I've been in the hobby a long time and know most of what your topics are about but I like to watch these videos because there always seems to be a little nugget of important information that I didn't know or a little nugget of information that I did know but long forgot. I also watch these videos because it is always good to hear other perspectives from others in the hobby. All my experience in this hobby has been built from the experience of others far more experienced than myself. Your a wealth of information Bentley, thanx for sharing that knowledge, your an asset to the fish keeping community my friend. Cheers!

[@MichaelKeith]

Double thumbs up Mr. Pascoe

[@Vincent-kx9ze]

Simple and basic is good!

[@johnpyatt1916]

great information as always

[@asier2001]

I use two canister filters, one with different layers of mechanical filtration and eheim prosubstract for my planted tank 50% for each type, and 100% of mechanical (it works as biological too) for the another one

[@iowainterstaterailroadfan6543]

I have found a love for sponge filers and have switched over all my tanks but one ☝️. My show tank in my living room still has a HOB filter. With HOB filters I add a very course sponge to the intake/before the pump and use the fine spine inside the filter/behind the pump. I find when things do start getting clogged it cuts down on noise and makes it so the pump doesn’t have to work a as hard.

[@Georgeolddrones]

You just keep putting Excellent videos out Bentley .Really look forward To the videos especially when you talk about your mum and Nan I was brought up in the 50s and 60s and remember the metal tanks and glass being held in by putter stay safe all the best George in England

[@angiemoore1741]

I am enjoying this series. I always learn something new. Thank you for sharing.

[@javonr7794]

Great video! I have a under gravel filter and I love it! Keep up with the wonderful content!!

[@ajctropicals1704]

Loving this series!

[@FerrumBellator]

Keep up the awesome content. Finally setting up my first sump(homemade) on a 90 gallon tank. Looking forward to figuring it all out. Got coarse, medium and fine sponge and lava rock for the sump.

[@reginaphalanges7331]

Awesome video! Thank you! I currently have sponge filters, HOB's and pre-filters on all the intakes . Plus I use filter floss in the HOB's. My filters pull so much gunk, all tanks are heavily planted, I wish there was an easier way to combat the particulate matter...

[@aquamind9996]

I run a canister filter with medium prefilter sponge, followed by filter floss. My water is invisible. I know you touched on it, but it's important to run mechanical media in order, coarse to medium to fine. A coarse sponge that comes after a medium sponge is wasted space, even though some filters are sold that way, you have to apply some aftermarket logic yourself.

[@BentleyPascoe]

Not so much do as I say, but it's an opportunity to directly display what can happen.

[@aquamind9996]

@@BentleyPascoe really didnt mean that to sound snarky, just chuckled to myself at the irony 😁

[@ejfishes7610]

Nice overview Bentley. I typically use just sponge filters. I have a few (3 HOB) and some old school box filters!

[@stevecox8066]

I've always thought of my undergravel filters as biological and mechanical for sure. Such a huge area of mechanical collection. I definitely use a prefilter on my HOBs since you essentially get two filters at that point for an extra three bucks! Plus it extends tube between cleaning. As always, great stuff!

[@swatch12345]

I agree dude. Sponge has to be the most versatile filtration media. I either run sponge filters or HOBs with prefilter sponge, filled with sponge, and Pinky's floss on top. Bag of crushed coral to hold it down and add some minerals. It works as mechanical and biological. If I ever need chemical which is basically never, I'll run straight carbon in another HOB for a few hours in a QT tank with meds.

[@jaxntax5509]

Great information and covering more independent information.

[@rickey698]

Here after 1 minute! I really look forward to your vids!

[@JhunDumsTVXj]

Yah I like sponge filter always..

[@CopenhagenDreaming]

'"Simple and basic" - indeed, it was! And for someone like me, that's a good thing. I'm not sure if I learned anything new, but I'm a re-beginner with aquariums, so having knowledge "reactivated" is great. And when you think about it, mechanical filtration is mainly a matter of common sense, whereas biological filtration is a bit more complex. (But with that I think perhaps it's more important to understand THAT it works, rather than to understand HOW it works. And to understand what's required for it to take place, which doesn't seem to be a lot. Surface area and plants in my case...) Also, as someone excited about his first aquarium in over 7 years, this sort of content with a pleasant, congenial and enthusiastic host is just the ticket! My tank is all set up and running, but that doesn't mean I have to stop learning and researching, because to be honest that's half the fun. So thank you for adding to the fun.

[@davefromiowa3843]

I use the hob and pre filter, I think I might try sponge filter on my next tank

[@John-Ebsen]

I just built a huge mechanical filter for my koi pond. finally got tired of having to clean all the muck out of the bio filter.

[@BentleyPascoe]

I've seen a really interesting freshwater skimmer a guy built for his koi pond to help keep it super clean. Really interesting idea!

[@John-Ebsen]

@@BentleyPascoe unfortunately due to the nature of the construction of my little pond I can't do an overflow. Need to tear it down and build a bigger pond but just have to many projects this spring.

[@Jeffdoeswhat]

Great info.

[@onlywei]

Really looking forward to the episode on chemical filtration because that’s the one that I understand the least. What exactly do those little charcoal balls do the my water? Why does every filter I buy always come with charcoal?

[@caewalker9276]

G'day Bentley. I honestly didn't know about stuff rotting in my sponge. I normally leave them way to long before cleaning them ( I use the excuse that I'm building my bacteria up)😉. Thanks Bentley, I'm really enjoying the series. My day is wasted if I don't learn something new.

[@BentleyPascoe]

It will eventually go inert, so don't stress too much

[@All_Things_Fish]

Good stuff, Bentley!

[@Knights.of.Ni.]

I always used the filter straight out the box because I thought that was the right way till I found a KZbinr called Pondguru now I set them up his way and tanks have improved.

[@k9feces]

The best mechanical filtration is 20 or 30 ppi foam because it is also the best biological filtration.

[@wolfsburgfanatic]

Great overview 👍

[@coreyb4073]

Man, i guess that means i have to go service the sponge filter in my 55, it is really just the contingency filter(there are two hob's) but it is burried in a rock formation, and gets neglected.

[@AJBAdventures]

Always interesting videos bud 👍 I love sponge filters, however now I've got a hornwort die off and there's bits everywhere 😂

[@MattyP650]

Hey Bentley, just a heads up there is a typo in the title! Awesome vid though, thanks!

[@omarmonsif6313]

Chapter 3 should be on chemical filtration (carbon,chemi pure, resins, ect.) /active additives (crushed coral/peat) in my opinion ... I'm personally well versed on the topic but would like to hear your thoughts ! I think 🤔 it would make a great video ! As always great work ! Excellent 👌 content 👍!

[@tedtownsend8933]

Mechanical filtration is also biological filtration. I use nothing but different ppl sponges in my canister filters. I clean them about once every 8 months. I also use HOB filters on my tanks and fill them with filter floss, which I change out every month. My tanks all look crystal clear and run amazingly.

[@canuck728]

practice what you preach

[@CarolynnMc01]

Thumbs up!

[@adkgaladkgal1799]

So true poop kills, rinse my goldfish sponges every 4 to 5 days,easy peasy 2 goldfish in 50g tank,thanks for info

[@suejudith2009]

I have several vampire shrimp in my 45g. I understand they like particulates in the water so I’ve learned to not work so hard for crystal clear water. Is this wrong? (I also have special food for them)

[@BentleyPascoe]

Nope! Perfect example of why you'd want more coarse sponge to keep particulates

[@VyvienneEaux]

I’m pretty sure “mechanical filtration” is what filtration technically is. In the lab, we use it as a technique to separate solids from liquids. I wonder if a piece of equipment that worked like a drip coffee machine with filter papers changed daily would be effective at polishing the water,

[@BentleyPascoe]

Polishing yes most likely, filter socks in a sump effectively do this as they're at a fairly fine micron level

[@XvREByrd3vX]

So for 6 months of all coarse sponge in 2 fx6, 2 tidal 110, and 2 koralia 3g 2450 should be overkill right? After a water change, I have crystal clear water for days until I drop one sinking wafer in for my loaches and boom. Slightly cloudy again. Might try veggies and frozen food since they don't dissolve like dry food

[@BentleyPascoe]

Yeah, you should have more than a sufficient beneficial bacteria colony given the amount of filtration you're using. It could just be that that particular tablet and the way that affects the water is going to cloud up a little bit. Also keep in mind when dojo loaches poop, there's kind of a cloudy effect that is in the water for a little bit.

[@XvREByrd3vX]

@@BentleyPascoe so far I've tried hikari algae wafers and sinking wafers, and fluval bug bites

[@XvREByrd3vX]

@@BentleyPascoe just an update, I broke the wafer into pieces and it gets eaten much quicker! 1 wafer twice a day and the cloudiness goes away after some hours

[@rhondacole5231]

I have learned a lot from your videos and appreciate when you talk about the science with it. I have a question for you. I have a uniquarium ( I wish I had watched all these videos before I bout it) it has a sponge filter section that flows to the biological filtration then pumps back in. I added a polishing filter over the biological section but now wonder if I should be doing that. It gets dirty pretty quickly. Should I maybe add ceramic or some other media to help instead?

[@BentleyPascoe]

If you're willing to keep up with maintenance don't change it, otherwise you might look to using a small amount of ceramic media.

[@debrasanders1985]

How can you tell between a bacteria bloom & filter needing cleaned?

[@rainbowcupcakeish]

Clean your filter and see if it goes away

[@bigguppy623]

UGF’s forever.

[@avaksaputra]

Basically H20 ~~> H+ + OH - Chemicals.. If you losing many OH that make H+ bundle with other mineral or Particle (Nitrate,Natrium chlorine,sulfat, phosphate,carbon, ext...) soo how to keep still pure H20... Water flow...? atmosphere proces..? Underwater foto synthesis..? 😂😂😂

[@fattyb5646]

Ace

[@shesellsfish]

👍💓👍

[@WAF74]

Bentley, I must humbly disagree with you. I believe your understanding of the term is too strict. *Mechanical* filtration isn't just stuff that requires a *machine* . The *mechanics* of *mechanical* filtration, how it works - the *mechanism* , is that particulate/junk/stuff gets caught on the filter/machine/thingy. Anything that strains (a la a colander when straining pasta) stuff out of the water flow by serving as a grate, or strainer, or net qualifies as mechanical filtration. The gravel bed in a UGF setup is mechanical filtration. Any time there's a fluid moving through a part that catches junk, that part is mechanically filtering the fluid.

[@Handygrrl]

Can't find the biological filtration 101 video....

[@BentleyPascoe]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYKaeIxueMSgo6M

[@Handygrrl]

Thanks!

[@vb2377]

You got a haircut?

[@BentleyPascoe]

I did indeed have my ears lowered

[@vb2377]

@@BentleyPascoe I’m just observant haha