Efficient biological filtration is key in the freshwater aquarium. Without a good filter in place, fish may soon become poisoned by their own waste. Here we show you a design for an external trickle bio-filter using some used and broken lab equipment. The main idea behind a trickle filter like this one is providing an oxygen rich environment for aerobic microbes that play a vital role in your aquarium. Nitrifying bacteria, the organisms responsible for ammonia oxidation and conversion to nitrate require oxygen to be at saturating levels in order to be successful.

 

     In the aquarium filter, many other organisms are present and actually out compete the bacteria we want to flourish. Incorporating a filter such as this one will create a perfect environments for all organisms to participate in beneficial processes thus enhancing the quality of your freshwater environment.