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CONTRIBUTED BY Todd Zebert EMail: tmz_AT_interport.net We have saved this selection guide for last, because we feel it is important that you understand the ``whys'' of filtration to make an intelligent choice. Rating are (from Best to worse) : Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, None Mechanical Biological Chemical Denitrate Maintenance ---------- ---------- -------- --------- -----------Water Changes Fair(2) Poor/None Fair Good FairCorner Fair Fair Fair(1) None FairUndergravel Poor(2) Good Poor(1) Poor/None PoorRFUGF(6) Poor Good None Poor/None FairSponge Poor Good None None FairSubmersible Good Fair Fair(1) None FairPower Filter Good Fair Fair(1) None GoodW/D P.F. Good Good Fair(1) None GoodCanister(7) Excellent Poor Good(1) None Good----W/D Can. Excellent Good Good(1) None FairWet/Dry Poor Excellent Good(1) Fair(5) Good"Live Rock" Poor Good None Fair/Good GoodFF/PS Good/Excel. Excell.(4) Fair(4) Good(4) GoodFluid. Bed None Excellent None None FairDenitrators None None None YMMV PoorAlgae Scrubber Poor/None Fair Poor Fair Fair Notes: * (1) With GAC, else None * (2) With regular gravel siphon, else None * (4) Reduces need for these types of filtration * (5) With Denitrating "sponge", else None * (6) Run by a reverse power head with sponge prefilter. Those who run them from output of canister filters will have different characteristics. * (7) Loaded with "standard" media -different media will give it different characteristics.FF/PS means - Foam Fractionator/Protein Skimmer (known to work best in saltwater, not so well in fresh water, though they are reported to be effectivein Koi ponds.)YMMV means "your mileage may vary"W/D P.F. means - [I think] one of the "biowheel hang on back of tank" filters, to be sure ask Todd.GAC means - gas/granular activated carbon.RFUGF means - Reverse flow undergravel filter.