Bio filtration is bacteria in the tank breaking down ammonia, turning it to nitrites, and then to nitrates. Not only bio media remove harmful bacteria and ammonia from your water, it retains good bacteria that keep your livestock and plants healthy. Activated carbon is one of the most commonly used media for chemical filtration. It is used to remove organic waste that is produced by your fish and pollutants that get into your water. Whilst activated carbon is good for removing bad bacteria, it has no effect on ammonia, nitrite and nitrate which is why filters catered for large aquariums or ponds tend to use a mix of biological and chemical filtration for the best results. Aquarium Filter External filters, such as the 1000EF+ use a combination of both media to ensure that tank water is kept healthy and clean, whilst retaining all of the good bacteria needed for a functioning set up. Chemical filtration is more suited to aquariums rather than ponds. Due to ponds following more of a natural cycle rather than one that is set up, filters use biological filtration only, but some are supported by UV clarifiers. Some compact all-in-one pond systems will come with biological media such as our CUP-311 and the large koi pond filters come complete with foams, filter media and chemical media.