I tried "search" at the top...but so many things came up :-? :-?

Just trying to see if I'm starting to understand what these things do, all corrections...further explainations, info...HELP...would be appreciated!!! Okay, here goes :-? :-?

1) filters:

-internal & external

-all contain some kind of filter media such as sponges, carbon, polyfibers, noodles....?

-some media is used to filter out "bad"...bacteria, waste....?

-some media (bio?) holds the good bacteria

-all? cause water movement helps create more oxygen

-are a necessity for all tanks

2) air pumps

-connect to tubing

-air goes through tubing to airstone, ornament, bubble wall...?

- the air causes movement resulting in more oxygen

-not a necessity

3) power heads (really can't get my head (lousy pun) around this one)

-causes water movement??????

-not for freshwater tanks????

4) air control valves (see these at store, when asked what they were for, they told me just to hold multiple tubes)

-holds tubing from air pumps?

-you can control the amount of air going through the tubing????

you are learning well, grasshopper

power heads can go in freshwater tanks to make more current.

they are just a pump that gives you a stream inside the tank

Here goes - this will test how much I still have to learn!!!!!!!!

Filters

yes

yes (mechanical filtering)

yes (biological filtering)

yes

yes

Air pumps

yes

yes

yes

yes (although they are also used to drive undergravel filters and then would be a necessity)

Power heads

yes

no - they can be used for either

Air control valves

yes

yes

you are learning well, grasshopper

Thanks monaro!

YES! Jude

Okay...let's go further....

1) The kind of filter you have:

- the kind, is it personal preference? I'd say, yes.

-size, you have to have one that will meet the needs of your tank

2) Is there such thing as too much filteration?

yes

yes

no, can have to mutch current

Gee, you're quick

no, can have to mutch current

Why is this not good? Does it cause stress on the fishies?

Oh...and is this a good site to learn about fishies anatomy or is there a better one?

http://floridafisheries.com/Fishes/anatomy.html

Filters are not actually a necessity. With a well balanced, heavily planted tank, low stocking levels, and regular maintenance (which most of us don't have) a filter is not required. It is recommended though, especially for newbies.

Pumps also power under gravel filters, as Jude said, plus box and sponge filters.

Air control valves are also used when you have several filters running off one pump. With different lengths of tubing they need the air regulated so all pump the right amount of air through. They can also be used to slow down the air flow if it is making the filter too noisy with too many bubbles coming through too fast.

The kind of filter you have is personal but can also depend on the type of fish you have. Many fish like to dig in the substrate so you would not use an under gravel filter. Fish producing fry need a filter the fry won't get sucked up into. Fish who do not like strong currents (like discus, bubble nesters etc) also need gentler filtration whereas the ones who live in fast flowing streams need all the current they can get - and a powerhead would help there.

That is an excellent site Caper.

to mutch current is no good for some fish as it is like putting them on a 24hr a day run, they will get tired

Not only will they get tired, but the amount of sweat,

of course depending on the number and size of the fish,

could turn the tank into a marine ecology.

Not the best for lots of freshwater tropicals.

Alan 104