How to use Salt Water & a Filter Pump Together

Marine aquariums, similar to freshwater aquariums, require filtration in order to maintain the correct water quality to keep the inhabitants of the aquarium alive. This is done using a pump that draws water into a separate container, and then allows it to flow through a filter media filled with activated charcoal carbon. This not only filters out solid waste, but also chemically changes poisonous nitrates into nitrites, which are then broken down by bacteria within the aquarium into compounds that are safe for the inhabitants. Most aquarium filters can be used with saltwater aquariums because of the lack of metal parts inside the filter. Today, any filter element that contacts water is constructed of plastic.

Instructions

    • 1

      Pull the filter motor out of the base of the filter canister, being careful to avoid damaging the O-ring that seals the water inside. The filter should have no metal parts that will come into contact with the salt water. If you see metal parts that can get wet, the filter was not intended for use with a saltwater aquarium. If it is entirely plastic, then replace the filter motor.

    • 2

      Hang the filter canister on the back of the aquarium so that it can draw water up its intake tube.

    • 3

      Rinse the plastic and charcoal filter media included with the filter in clean tap water, shaking out excess carbon dust that might have accumulated on the plastic. Slide the filter media into the aquarium filter, being careful to press it all the way down.

    • 4

      Fill the filter canister with salt water from the aquarium. Insert the intake tube with its long end in the aquarium and its short end in the filter canister.

    • 5

      Plug in the aquarium filter. In a few moments, the salt water will be drawn up the intake tube and into the filter canister, then will run out of the canister and into the aquarium.

    • 6

      Clean away any salt creep that has appeared on the filter weekly. Salt creep is a crust of salt that remains after the saltwater that moistens the outside of the filter evaporates.

    • 7

      Change the filter media at least once per month, or more if you have a large number of fish in your marine aquarium. This will help prevent the filter from becoming overwhelmed with decaying organic matter.