Category: Blog

Taking care and maintaining a small aquarium can be challenging. Beginners tend to get started with a small aquarium. However, the small tank requires to be cleaned more frequently than the larger one.

The best small aquarium filter will help you keep the proper water condition and healthy environment for your fish tank dwellers all the time. Not all of the filter tanks available in the supermarket could execute the job of filtration perfectly. So we introduce to you here two common filters for a small tank with a lot of information, pros and cons: Penn Plax world aquarium filter vs Fluval U2 underwater filter.

#1 Flow rate

It is important to look for a filter that can handle your tank water. In general, you should choose the filter that comes with a flow rate that is capable of filtering all the water in your aquarium at least 4-6 times every hour.

For example, if you have a 20 gallons fish tank, then the filter for your tank will come with a low rate of minimum 80 GPH. But this flow rate could be higher if your tank has lots of decoration and plants.

Fluval U2 flow rate is 150 GPH, it is an ideal option for 12-30 gallon tank size. While Penn Plax world can deliver 20 GPH. It is specifically designed for a small fish tank of 5 gallons or less.

#2 Size

Since you have a small tank, so one of the important considerations is the size of the filter. The slim filter that has a compact size and shape will not occupy much space in your tank. You will have more space for adding decoration and a larger living space for your fish.

Fluval U2 is designed to go inside your fish tank; it does not need the external space. But it will take the internal space of your tank. Its dimensions are 3.9 x 5 x 8.8 inches.

Penn Plax World is the tiny filter. This filter measuring 6,00 x 2,00 x 6,00 inch and fits in almost any small aquarium. Even if your tank I globes, rounded corners or small-size panels, this is compact and narrow profile can be able to fit with the smallest areas.

#3 Filtration process

The best filter will come with three stages of filtration as much as possible. They are mechanical, biological and chemical filtration.

Penn Plax offers the 3 stages of SmallWorld filtration. SmallWorld filter includes the high-quality disposable cartridge, which is consists of carbon and zeolite for chemical filtration and a bio-foam sponge. The zeolite removes ammonia while the top-quality activated carbon removes harmful gases and odors. The bio-foam helps promote biological filtration that helps you maintain the clearness of the water.

Fluval U2 Underwater Filter is also three-stage filtration that is ideal for both freshwater and saltwater environments. At the first stage, 2 foams pad will work for removes large particles and fish waste that floating in the water.

In the second stage, the 2 poly/carbon cartridges trap fine debris, improves water clarity and removes impurities. In the third stage, 40 grams BioMax provides optimal biological filtration efficiency.

An ideal habitat for ball pythons includes the right substrate since they should never live on a bare floor. Ball python requires some factors such as absorbent, odor control, burrowing support, etc.

In this post, we will help you choose the best pall python substrate by comparing 2 different types of the substrate are Aspen shavings and AstroTurf. Looking closely at the pros and cons of each type in detail to determine what is the perfect substrate for your pets.

#1 Easy to clean

Ball pythons substrates require to be cleaned, removed any the dirty spots and waste daily. And once per month, you should completely deep clean the entire enclosure and do not forget to replace the substrate.

Aspen Shaving is not got difficult to clean since it has a light color, which makes you easy to notice, fine urine or feces and scoop out them. Because you will have to spot clean it every day, this feature becomes more useful than the darker substrate.

However, the drawback is that this substrate tends to het messy when you need to replace it. The shreds and small pieces of it will drop on the floor. It might also cause some dust when it is dry.

On the other hand, AstroTurf is the easiest substrate to clean. It is durable, so you can totally wash it under a stream of running water. Its appearances do diminish after many times of washing. Since AstroTurf is similar to reptile carpet, so you should have at least 2 pieces of it.

When you tank one out to clean, use the other one to place in the ball python cage. There is the note that you have to wait until the AstroTurf is dry before placing it back into the enclosure.

#2 Burrowing support

Ball pythons may not a burrowing snake, but they often prefer to bury themselves in the substrate. In order to allow them to do this instinct behavior, you should provide them the substrate that supports burrowing.

Aspen bedding has a good texture for burrowing animals. You just need to provide them a few inches of Aspen to support this behavior.

In addition, although Artificial Turf mimics the real grass, create the comfortable floor for your pets and is visually appealing for your cage. However, ball pythons cannot burrow in AstroTurf.

#3 Maintain humidity levels

Pall python requires a relatively high level of humidity from 55% to 60%. In the shedding process, these levels even increase to 80%. The substrate also plays a vital part in maintaining humidity in ball python’s environment. Moreover, high absorbent substrates are also good at control odors.

Aspen Shavings have been known as high absorbency eating substrate. This substrate also has a pleasant natural scent, which makes it good at reducing odors. However, Aspen bedding can grow mold if you leave it damp for a long time so you should not make it too damp.

The major drawback of AstroTurf is that it is not good absorbent and odor control material, you will have to wash it thoroughly to ensure it is clean and odor-free.