Aquarium filter

An aquarium including a filter system effective to treat water in said aquarium, said filter system including:

• a plurality of filter chambers each containing filter media and effective to reduce the concentration of particulate matter in said aquarium water;
• a heater for controlling the temperature of said aquarium water;
• a dry chamber including a biological medium to support the growth of bacteria thereon and effective to biologically treat said aquarium water;
• at least one buffering chamber including a buffering medium effective to buffer said aquarium water;
• and
• an air pump in communication with said dry chamber, said air pump effective to pressurize said dry chamber.

A process for treating aquarium water contained in an aquarium using a filter system mounted in said aquarium, said process comprising the steps of:

• introducing said aquarium water into said filter system;
• filtering said aquarium water in a plurality of filter compartments;
• maintaining the temperature of said aquarium water at a predetermined temperature;
• biologically treating said aquarium water with beneficial bacteria included in a dry chamber filter compartment;
• buffering said aquarium water so as to maintain the pH of the water at a predetermined alkalinity level;
• and
• using air to pressurize said dry chamber filter compartment.