I'm thinking of converting my UGF to RUGF. I'm using a pair of Powerhead 802s on my 90 gallon tank. The powerheads are reversible, but I'd like to pre-filter them before I send the water down under the plates. Has anyone rigged up some kind of filter to these powerheads (using reverse flow)? What did you use to connect them? I'd like to use a black sponge, if possible.
Convert UGF to RUGF
- Thread starter mhmh
- Start date
I think using a sponge stuffed into the riser tube would work, but one thing to keep in mind is that you will need to run an additional mechanical filter for a while to pull up the nasties that are in your gravel right now. Once this is cleaned out, most of the solids should be pulled into a HOB (an AC would work) rather than sucked down, even with a prefilter. You want the RUGF to keep the solids up off the substrate so the HOB filter can trap the particles.
I forgot to include in my post that I also have an Eheim Professional II model 2128 canister filter, rated for "up to approx. 600 l / 132 Imp.gal / 159 US gal." I use a Python to vacuum the gravel every 2 weeks, so I would switch to RUGF right after a vacuuming.
Rather than stuffing a sponge into the riser tube, isn't there some filter I could install on the powerhead before the water gets to it (on what would be the output tube when the flow isn't reversed)? That would prevent a lot of the crud from getting into the powerhead in the first place.
Rather than stuffing a sponge into the riser tube, isn't there some filter I could install on the powerhead before the water gets to it (on what would be the output tube when the flow isn't reversed)? That would prevent a lot of the crud from getting into the powerhead in the first place.
I think this is what you want...
http://www.aquaria.com/products/consumer/con_pheads.asp
If the link dont work, goto www.aquaria.com click marinland, click consumer products, click penguin powerheads. They offer a RFUGF at the bottom of the page but they do sell replacement sponge prefilters, I have seen them for $5 or so.
HTH
Stias'
http://www.aquaria.com/products/consumer/con_pheads.asp
If the link dont work, goto www.aquaria.com click marinland, click consumer products, click penguin powerheads. They offer a RFUGF at the bottom of the page but they do sell replacement sponge prefilters, I have seen them for $5 or so.
HTH
Stias'
I've been using the Penguin powerheads with their reverse-flow adapters since the things came on the market. They are a snap to use and maintain.
http://www.aaquaria.com/aquasource/rtrrfug.shtml
http://www.aaquaria.com/aquasource/rtrrfug.shtml
I use this one and find it exactly what I need. For a 90G you might want to move up to the Fluval 2 "Plus".
I went to the local building supply store to find flexible tubing that would join the UGF tubing to the filter outlet.
BTW, I don't find an excess of crud in my gravel.
I went to the local building supply store to find flexible tubing that would join the UGF tubing to the filter outlet.
BTW, I don't find an excess of crud in my gravel.
Thanks for replying. I think either the Penguin or Fluval solution will work well, but I'm hoping I can keep the existing AquaClear powerheads. Has anyone here rigged up a prefilter to one?
Whatever you do, it will have to be homemade. Hagen does not make a prefilter for it's powerheads in reverse mode.
How about just taking a sponge and cutting a slot in it so it will fit over the output (input in reverse operation) tube? Then every week or so you can just pull it off and rinse it well. It seems doing that or making some tube filled with filter floss to slide on the input are your only options if you want to keep the 802's.
I have 402's and have been toying with this idea, but I haven't tried yet. Let us know how it turns out...
How about just taking a sponge and cutting a slot in it so it will fit over the output (input in reverse operation) tube? Then every week or so you can just pull it off and rinse it well. It seems doing that or making some tube filled with filter floss to slide on the input are your only options if you want to keep the 802's.
I have 402's and have been toying with this idea, but I haven't tried yet. Let us know how it turns out...
Hatter, I think your answer is the best one I've gotten. Now I'll just have to find a nice thick black sponge I can cut into.
Thanks for the suggestion.
mhmh
I think you missed it in my post above, they sell what you need as a replacement part for $5 or so. I dug the one I got out of a bin at the LFS. The link was just so you could see if that was what you want, I realize its not the same brand but it should fit. After all, the power filters fit on the same size uplift tubes so the prefilter has to be the same size. When I built my RUGF, I put that sponge on a different brand, Regent but not sure. I tryed putting a section of plain sponge over a HOB filter to keep fry out and it restricted too much, talk about low flow. The prefilter from marineland is more course than a regular sponge you buy from walmart in the cleaning section, it is like the sponge block you can put in the ac filters. I dont think you will be happy with a regular sponge (I wasnt) but it is cheap to try (I had some already at home). If the sponge tube is not what you want, might try the ac foam blocks to cut to what you want.
Hope I cleared my first post up a little.
Stias'
I think you missed it in my post above, they sell what you need as a replacement part for $5 or so. I dug the one I got out of a bin at the LFS. The link was just so you could see if that was what you want, I realize its not the same brand but it should fit. After all, the power filters fit on the same size uplift tubes so the prefilter has to be the same size. When I built my RUGF, I put that sponge on a different brand, Regent but not sure. I tryed putting a section of plain sponge over a HOB filter to keep fry out and it restricted too much, talk about low flow. The prefilter from marineland is more course than a regular sponge you buy from walmart in the cleaning section, it is like the sponge block you can put in the ac filters. I dont think you will be happy with a regular sponge (I wasnt) but it is cheap to try (I had some already at home). If the sponge tube is not what you want, might try the ac foam blocks to cut to what you want.
Hope I cleared my first post up a little.
Stias'