Question about UGF

[Larissa]

I bought my 55g tank from a friend with all of the equipment for the tank included. It has a UGF (which I have no experience with what-so-ever). There are two uplift tubes (one on each end) that stand about 5 in. high and there are powerheads attached. I have a couple of questions. First of all what do the powerheads actually do that is beneficial to the system. Is this even set up properly? Also, the powerheads are causing waaaay too much current in my tank. (I have angelfish and rams) This may sound like a stupid question but if I used taller uplift tubes would that help? Should I ditch the UGF altogether? I like the thought of it housing a lot of beneficial bacteria so I hate to get rid of it, but I really hate seeing my fish blown all around the tank.

 

[beviking]

You got the power heads too? That's good. Depending on what you're going to keep in the tank (if it's fish only then I would recommend) go with the RUGF method. That's Reverse Under Gravel Filter where you use the power heads to push water down the tubes under the gravel. This gives the bacteria in the gravel flowing water carrying oxygen and nutrients they need and also pushes dirt/detritus/mulm/poo up into the water column where it can be collected in the sponge of the powerhead. If they're Penguin powerheads, you can buy the Reverse Flow kit which comes with the sponge, strainer, and misc. fittings. I don't know about other brands though.
Lots of info on this here if you search for RUGF or Reverse Flow....