Comparison Tetra EX 1000 Plus vs JBL Cristal Profi e902

— External. Filters placed outside the aquarium. As a rule, they are characterized by high performance and are designed to filter large volumes of water. In the category of external filters, canister subtype models predominate, which are installed separately from the aquarium. Less common are mounted specimens, suspended on the outer wall of the aquarium.

— Internal. Filters installed inside the aquarium. The vast majority of them are designed for purifying small and medium volumes of water. Suction is usually carried out at the bottom of the filter, then the water passes through the filter element (foam rubber or synthetic wool) and is then released at the top of the filter. The emerging stream is directed to the surface of the water, thereby effectively enriching it with oxygen. Such filters are often attached to the inner glass with special hooks or suction cups.

— Cascade. A type of filter that is attached to the outer wall of the aquarium. The container with filter cartridges in their design is located outside the tank. Water from the aquarium enters the container through the inlet manifold, is filtered and drained back through a kind of overflow in the form of a waterfall. This overflow option creates a visually attractive flow effect in the aquarium and minimizes internal flow, which is important for some types of freshwater fish. The aeratio...n of water in cascade filters is superficial – the air is saturated with oxygen by mixing water with air when passing through a “waterfall”.

— Bottom. Filters installed at the bottom of the tank. Aquarium soil is used here as a filter material, so it is extremely important to take into account the particle size of the substrate and the depth of the bottom filter. It is also worth considering the location of the aquarium decorations and the dense roots of plants – they can prevent water from passing through the pores of the filter, forming “dead zones” where silting will occur.

— Air lift. A type of internal filter for an aquarium, the principle of which is to use the lifting force of air – it is supplied to the lower part through a tube, passes through the filter element (usually a sponge) and returns back through the upper part of the filter housing. This ensures not only water purification, but also its saturation with oxygen. The air supply is carried out using a compressor located outside the aquarium.

— Skimmer. Skimmers are used to remove bacterial film from the surface of water; they also effectively remove organic contaminants. Such films are formed due to food residues, oil, fish secretions and other organic substances. Skimmers are often used in saltwater aquariums, and in some cases they are also used in freshwater tanks where there are problems with film and contamination of the water surface. Note that skimmers are an auxiliary element of filtration and are used in conjunction with other aquarium filters.

— For marine aquarium. Filters for use in marine or reef aquariums. They are designed to meet the specific needs of marine animals and corals, and the main focus of these marine aquarium filters is to maintain proper salt water quality to ensure the health and prosperity of the inhabitants.

The volume of the aquarium in liters in which the filter will ensure proper water purification performance. This parameter is usually indicated approximately, because when choosing an aquarium filter, it is important to take into account other factors: the degree of population of the monastery for underwater inhabitants, the size of the fish, etc.

The volume of the container for loose materials and other fillers in the design of an aquarium filter. Typically, these containers are made of plastic with transparent or semi-transparent walls, allowing visual monitoring of contamination and the filter's fill level. The larger the container's volume, the more materials can be used, which generally increases the filtration efficiency.

— Mechanical. Filters designed to remove solid suspensions from aquarium water, such as leftover food, fish waste, debris, sand, and other small particles. Mechanical filtration ensures water clarity and cleanliness, improving the visual appearance of the aquarium and reducing the concentration of solid particles. Typically, this filtration is performed by sponges with varying pore sizes.

— Multi-level. Models that provide multiple levels of filtration. Most commonly, multi-level filters perform both mechanical and biological water purification (removing solid particles and breaking down organic matter). Advanced aquarium filters may also include chemical filtration, where water is purified using chemicals and adsorbents like activated carbon.

— Filter volume. This refers to the capacity of the filter's internal chamber, where filtering materials and purification mechanisms are placed. Measured in liters, it indicates how much water the filter can hold during operation. The larger the volume, the more efficient the filtration, allowing for longer intervals between cleaning the aquarium.

— Number of baskets. This refers to the number of baskets that hold different filtering materials. The number can vary from one to three, and occasionally even up to four or five. A larger number of baskets is common in complex filtration systems, which may also include additional water treat...ment stages such as ultraviolet sterilization, water heating, and more.

The power level, measured in watts, determines the energy consumption of the filter and/or its components (compressor, fan, etc.). This parameter indicates how much electricity the filter “winds” during operation and is not directly related to its filtration performance (see below).

The volume of water that the filter is able to process and purify per unit of time. Often this parameter is measured in liters of water per hour. Filter performance is directly related to the recommended aquarium size. It is customary to ensure that the flow rate of liquid passing through the filter in one hour exceeds the volume of the reservoir at least three times. Thus, for a conventional aquarium with a volume of 200 l, the recommended filtration capacity should be at least 600 l/h.

A spray bar is a long tube with holes or slits through which water is returned to the aquarium after the filtration process. Visually, this tube resembles a flute, which is why it is often called that. Such spray bars create a water flow distributed along the entire length of the "flute," ensuring even circulation. Additionally, a Spray bar can reduce the water flow speed, which is beneficial for aquariums with delicate fish or plants.