What would happen if I connect the intake of a powerfilter to UGF as shown in the picture. Pros? cons? What would really happen in this case?
Rohn
Rohn
UGF modified
- Thread starter rohnds
- Start date
Well if I am understanding you correctly you just want to connect the Powerheads intake tube to the UGF's intake tube. This is generally how it is done. What would happen then is water would be pulled through the UGF plates and up through the UGF tube and out through the powerhead. It would be just be more of a pull versus just using an air pump and air stone.
I've run UGFs before with powerheads. Many people do not like UGFs for various reasons, the main thing that I always liked about them was when running them of a submerged power head they were completely silent. Never had a problem with a standard UGF provided it's vacuumed periodically.
I've also used UGFs in the reverse flow direction, by connecting the powerheads output to the UGFs lift tube. The reverse flow direction has the advantage of blowing up from beneath the gravel to reduce stuff building up in the gravel like with normal flow. The reverse flow direction requires some sort of sponge prefilter on the power head intake to keep the water column, powerhead, and gravel bed clean. The sponge prefilter needs to be cleaned regularly.
I've also used UGFs in the reverse flow direction, by connecting the powerheads output to the UGFs lift tube. The reverse flow direction has the advantage of blowing up from beneath the gravel to reduce stuff building up in the gravel like with normal flow. The reverse flow direction requires some sort of sponge prefilter on the power head intake to keep the water column, powerhead, and gravel bed clean. The sponge prefilter needs to be cleaned regularly.
The biggest downside I can see is that this setup would mostly nullify any of the filtering that the power filter would do, except for chemical if you were so inclined.
The majority of the bacterial and mechanical filtration would be handled by the gravel itself, Basically the power filter would be acting like a powerhead.
The majority of the bacterial and mechanical filtration would be handled by the gravel itself, Basically the power filter would be acting like a powerhead.
Thank you dougall, I looked at the picture wrong. I was thinking powerhead versus power filter. I agree with you on how the gravel would be the bacterial and mechanical filtration.
Also most Power Filters are not built for this and the motor will go bad faster then normal. I myself would not use a Power Filter for the above reason. If you wanted to use a power filter in conjuction with a Reversed Powerhead you would get the best effect. You can by powerheads built for RUGF systems. I myself use the powerhead and power filter system together and it work great. My water is very clean and crisp. The gravel also tends to stay much cleaner. I use 2 Penguin 660R units with a small Power Filter.
Also most Power Filters are not built for this and the motor will go bad faster then normal. I myself would not use a Power Filter for the above reason. If you wanted to use a power filter in conjuction with a Reversed Powerhead you would get the best effect. You can by powerheads built for RUGF systems. I myself use the powerhead and power filter system together and it work great. My water is very clean and crisp. The gravel also tends to stay much cleaner. I use 2 Penguin 660R units with a small Power Filter.