Mark - what is size "0" sand ? never heard of that number. how big is it in mm on average ? Do you have anything else mixed in that 3" depth ? How often do you stir the areas that have little flow in RUGF ? for example, i wonder about the edges of the tanks, which have no UGF plate under them would be deeper than the 3" sand you have in center of tank. So, the edges have a tendency to go anerobic possibly. do you have any comments on the detrius buildup under the plate ? Possibly not, if you are able to keep up on your weekly cleaning routine. I have been thinking of buying some Lee's Plates (cheap) and hook it upto the output of my canister, using parts i would buy from Tap Plastics local. I have 2 or 3 filters sitting around and a maxi-jet. I would possibly split the output of canister into 2 tubes and feed it on both sides of the Lee UGF plate.
Jeffrey - what does Amano push as useful ? are you referring to heating cables or the RUGF filters ? I doubt that its UGF because the planted tanks have to be careful in their UGF setup. If you are referring to heating cables....then yes, i think it could be useful in the absence of a UGF. Because something needs to move the water around (gently) near the roots and it would supply the roots with more of the nutrients. If the flow is too much then the roots wont have time to absorb the nutrients. I have seen both sides of the camp on this topic.
Jeffrey - what does Amano push as useful ? are you referring to heating cables or the RUGF filters ? I doubt that its UGF because the planted tanks have to be careful in their UGF setup. If you are referring to heating cables....then yes, i think it could be useful in the absence of a UGF. Because something needs to move the water around (gently) near the roots and it would supply the roots with more of the nutrients. If the flow is too much then the roots wont have time to absorb the nutrients. I have seen both sides of the camp on this topic.
