the both of you just need to take a chill pill jeez lol jbhillman just wanted to know the different kinds of filtration.
alrighty then, here's the answer to your question:
There are three kinds of filtration in a fish tank,
1. mechanical- A method of physically removing visible, large particles from the water using filter floss or sponge.
2. chemical- the use of carbon, ammonia chips, chemipure, etc to remove dissolved substances like fish waste and oily residue from food.
3. biological- the process of micro organisms eating ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, and other kinds of bacteria/waste. biological filtration can be found in live rock, filter sponges, sand, etc.
For a beginner, I would just use a hang on filter or if you want to spend alittle bit more money and feel pro, buy a canister filter which both offer all three filtration. If using mechanical, I recommend using filter floss because it's cheap like $3 for a big bag and it can last for almost a month. You will have to change it atleast once a week.
Using carbon is the basic, easy way to remove dissolved substance, but it can only hold so much before it starts leaching out what it absorbed. Just replace it when you feel its full. If you want to move up a step, you can buy a $14 jar of chemipure(found at petco) which will hold much more for a longer time*lasts up to 3 months. its pricier but it will keep your tank clean.
PROTEIN SKIMMERS are amazing and the heart of getting rid of dissolved substances. it is also an alternative for running carbon. its even better running both. it removes protein down to the molecular level. For a ten gallon, you can buy one for as low as 30 bucks. its worth it.
biological filtration is the most important part. It determines if your fish will live. It includes the nitrogen cycle. Fish produce ammonia, ammonia is eaten by nitrite bacteria, then eaten by nitrate bacteria which is the least harmful, and then dies off or is eaten by other beneficial bacteria that you would hear in a marine bio class.
Just follow these three kinds of filtration when choosing a filter and you will start off with a great time in the saltwater hobby. Dont think about the price of the filtration, think about the experience you will learn
