Thoughts on a Under Gravel Return Design

S

snickle

AC Members
Jan 4, 2007
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Below is my thoughts on an under gravel return. It will commin goff my wet/dry with about 450 GPH.

Basic design 3/4 pvc to match return. 4 Crossmembers each with 20 1/16" holes at approx. 2.4 inches apart. The holes would be offset 90% from each other.

The 1/16" holes give about the same exit room for the water as the base 3/4 return.

A quick pic


UG-Return1.jpg


Thoughts?
 
If you have sand, it would look cool and work as a bio filter too!

I would do this if i had a reef tank, or a non planted freshwater.
 
TipStylez said:
If you have sand, it would look cool and work as a bio filter too!

I would do this if i had a reef tank, or a non planted freshwater.
Click to expand...

Lightly planted, mostly Java Moss and fern.

I plan on using a final gravel substrate, with small river rock style on top.
 
Why not use actual UGF plates with a fine mesh on top to prevent the finer gravel from infiltrating under the plates?

It's not a problem to build a manifold that will stay in place to link the plates together, and you'll get more uniform distribution of the return flow.

v/r, N-A
 
Native American said:
Why not use actual UGF plates with a fine mesh on top to prevent the finer gravel from infiltrating under the plates?

It's not a problem to build a manifold that will stay in place to link the plates together, and you'll get more uniform distribution of the return flow.

v/r, N-A
Click to expand...

i have not like the design of all the UGF plates I have been able to see.

One from Lee's Aquarium might work, but I have not seen one live.

All the parts for the DIY including PVC cleaner and glue are about 20 bucks.

I am thinking the lower level currents could be enough to help with the gravel cleaning.

If not I will try again.
 
I hooked up the unit last night (been in the tank for a week, just did not have the right fittings). As soon as I powered on the pump you could see debris being pushed off the bottom. The larger debris settled back down, but you can very clearly see small particles floating in the water. I figure they will get suck into the filter in fairly short order.

Only time will tell if this is a good design, but so far so good.
 
I found a flaw in my design. The original return with the overflow had a holed dirlled in the 90 prior to the nozzles. I did not understand why.

I shut down my pump today and the siphon action of the return tried to remove all the water from my tank.

I drilled a hole and now am okay.
 
Ever hear of a RUGF?
 
rbishop said:
Ever hear of a RUGF?
Click to expand...

Yes, I have. And I am not trying to use this as a filter, just a return.

I admit it was a stupid mistake. 1000% obvious in hindsight. Pretty sad considering I am an engineer by trade. I should catch those things.
 
With a RUGF (sorry, I started a sentence with a preposition), you get fairly even distribution of the outflow. The most vigorous outflow is where the gravel bed is thinnest.

Been thinking of giving it a try, but my UGF system with plates linked by a manifold feeding into a strong canister filter has been working way too well. I can't take credit for the idea; got it from another AC DIY person.

v/r, N-A
 
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