Eheim Filter Media Information |
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.
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 initial aquarium setup or to remove medications or additives, turbidity, water discoloration and odor. |
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EHFIKARBON: A high quality filter carbon. It is recommended for short-term use in freshwater aquariums. |
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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. |
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| Mechanical Filter Media works much like a sieve trapping particulate waste as it passes through the material. |
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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. |
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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, 2215/2217, 2222, 2224, 2226, 2228 a special pad is recommended. |
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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. |
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Filter Pad: Separates different filter media layers. |
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Biological Filter Media
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. |
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| Chemical Filter Media |
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EHFITORF: A specially treated media, which makes the water more acidic and lowers the carbon hardness. The peat filter is recommendable 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. |
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| 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. |
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EHFISYNTH Filter Pad for mechanical fine cleaning, for the EHEIM professionel filters series. |
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EHEIM Filter Cartridges are made of special foam materials provide a large surface area. They can be changed in a few simple steps and after their "running-in" time they not only function mechanically but also biologically. In addition, there are also active carbon cartridges, which are ideally suited for adsorption. |
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