Filter media is manufactured for different purposes from glass fiber and synthetic material. Aquarium filter

media is the material in your aquarium filter that your water passes through. Each kind of aquarium filter

media performs an important function.  

Mechanical filtration: 

Mechanical filtration is the first stage in any effective aquarium filtration. Mechanical filtration is a process

by which water is driven through filtration media. Mechanical filtration is provided by the replaceable floss

roll impregnated with highly activated carbon. It is, therefore, a two-step process: first you trap the dirt,

detritus, flocculate, particulate, (all names for what we are trying to remove) in a specially designed area

by means of a screen, mesh, cartridge, floss, or other form of filter, and secondly you clean those filters

regularly tore move that matter entirely from the system (the mass of water in your tank and filters).

Mechanical filtration is one of several different types; passive settlement, active separation, and

entrapment. Mechanical filtration is the physical process of removing larger particulate matter from the

water column. It is important because large particles and detritus floating in the water column are

removed before breaking down into waste matter. Mechanical filtration is responsible for the clarity of

the aquarium.Fish do not come from stagnant pools of water but rather from streams, rivers, lakes and

oceans, a lot of the essential elements fishes bodies need come from the water they live in.  Fish may

survive for some time with inadequate mechanical or chemical filtration despite the water's murky or

discolored appearance, but the absence of a process for eliminating ammonia and nitrite will kill fish

within hours if the levels rise enough. 

Mechanical media: 

Varies by porosity, which controls the size of the particulate that you can extract: 

1- Course media, such as  Ceramic Media, has large pores. It catches large debris so that small media

doesn't need to be cleaned as often. It is also easier to clean than finer media.

2- Filter Pads are less coarse, and are good for cleaning most visible debris from your aquarium water but

less affective than the Coarse media.

3- Filter floss has small pores, and is great for filtering out smaller particles, resulting in crystal clear water.

4- Micron filter pads  

Biological filtration:

Biological filtration is the action of bacteria breaking down dangerous ammonia, converting it to nitrite, and

then converting nitrite to nitrate (less toxic).Biological filtration is the most important part of any filtration

system. Biological filtration is accomplished in the second stage, using specially treated ceramic nodes to

offer the maximum number of colonization sites for beneficial bacteria. Biological filtration is the key to a

successful and healthy home aquarium, and this refill assures that your tank will continue to be a healthy

living environment for your fish and other aquatic life. Biological filtration is continuous with the Cycle

Guard system. Biological filtration is performed by so called nitrifying bacteria. A variety of media is

available for bacteria cultivation. Small biological media, such as, sera siporax Bio-Glass, Ultra Bio-Media,

bio bale, Super Porous Ceramic Media or Eheim substrat pro are an excellent option.

Chemical Filtration:

Chemical filtration is one of the three types of filtration that can be used for an aquarium. Chemical filtration

is the direct removal of solutes by adsorption. Chemical filtration is supplied by the exceptionally adsorbing

activated carbon which removes dissolved organic impurities.  Aquarium filters are designed to makes use

of these filtration mechanisms. Carbon is the most widely known and used media for chemical filtration

in the reef hobby.  Carbon removes fish odors and discoloration from your water and will also remove

medication. Carbon also adsorbs the chelating end of cheated iron and copper.