Help with Undergravel Filter setup

T

Tiny_Bubbles

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Apr 30, 2008
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:help: I am getting my 36 gal tank set up and need some clarification/help on getting the UGF set up. I purchased a Perfect a Flo UGF and a Penguin 1140 Submersible Power Head. I'm assuming I only need to use one of the Lift Tubes on the filter and that I don't need the "flow spouts" that fit on top of the lift tubes. My question is, does th Power head just set upon the Lift Tube or is it actually supposed to fit down snuggly into the tube? Does that make sense? I also have a Aqueon Power Filter (30) that came with the aquarium that I'll be using also. Since this is all new to me I'm trying to figure it out on my own but I'm a little (okay, maybe a lot) confused. Does anyone have a picture of what this type of setup should look like. I'm a visual person and that sure would help me out.

Thanks!


Should I be using something other than a power head?
 
Good question. I would like to that as well as I'll be doing exactly the same setup this weekend on a 75g.
 
gsparsan said:
Good question. I would like to that as well as I'll be doing exactly the same setup this weekend on a 75g.
Click to expand...


Try this: (note, this is the conventional flow. There is also a setup for reverse flow where the water is pushed up through the gravel)

Additionally, this diagram shows both an air pump, and Power Head. You do not need both, you use either, the Power Head moves more water.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/dc/Undergravel_filter.png
Undergravel_filter.png






Here's a photo of an UGF system albeit small.....
113hagenpowerhead.jpg


And finally a busy illustration showing a UGF and PowerHead with other components.....
109masterkitjpg.jpg
 
Last edited:
Yes, the powerhead should fit snugly into the top of the lift tube for best performance. I also frequently cut my lift tubes to keep the powerheads lower in the water. This allows me to do the normal water change without bothering to turn them off if I am doing an extended cleaning.

The reverse method of operation is getting more common in that it helps keep the gravel a bit more free of debri.
 
I can't use reverse flow in my case. The outlet from the pump goes into a hood-mounted filter. So instead of taking water from the tank and passing it through the filter, I am taking water from under the gravel. So the same powerhead does both jobs and I get the extra area of bio-media. I think the powerhead will be up for it.
 
gsparsan

that is unfortunate since I agree that the reverse flow helped me a lot. Before moving, I had a 55gal with RFUG and a penguin 350 power filter. I had the power filter alone for a while and after I put in the RFUG I noticed that the filter got dirtier quicker because the debris would float in the water longer so the tube could pick it up. Also, the gravel produced less waste with both. I had a powerhead on each end of the tank with a sponge prefilter on each so I had the gravel, sponged for powerheads and the bio-wheel doing a great job of bio-filtering.

Tiny-Bubbles, if I were you I would strongly consider this especially since you have the power filter already.
 
thanks for the input. I think my powerhead is too big for the tubing. It doesn't fit down into the tube snuggly. I think I'll take it back and also look for a reverse flow. The set up in the same on the tank, right, I just use the "reverse flow" on the power head instead of the conventional flow, correct?

Thanks!
 
There would be an adaptor that connects the discharge of your powerhead to direct it doen the lift tube. A sponge would then go on the power head suction side that normally fits in the tube.
 
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