ugf idea instead of vaccuming

W

wilesbd

AC Members
Jul 4, 2012
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Has anyone ever tried using a UGF for the purpose of cleaning the tank instead of vaccuming. The idea would be to place 2-3 or three inlets under the ugf(not sure if it would be a running ugf or just the plates) then combine them into one line and use that instead of a gravel vac for a easier cleanup, no disturbing decor trying to clean, im sure the occasional gravel vac would be needed thou. probably looking at using larger river gravel for better debris passing, even the idea of hooking it all into the filter?

any thoughts? it would be a bit to setup but i think it would be less stress on the fish without being inside moving around as often.
 
RUGF driven by powerheads will keep the gravel pretty clean, driving the debri into the water column, to be removed by power filters or the sponges on the powerheads...in fact, the RUGF could be driven by a canister discharge...
 
jpappy789 said:
How would the waste be removed from the tank...where would it go?
Click to expand...
my thought was to plumb it all into a python with a shutoff/disconnect vavle and suck it all out during the water change, just withouth disturbing decor or disturbing the fish.


rbishop, how exactly does a rugf work, if im understanding you essentially you still have the plates you just direct a water current into them so instead of stuff being sucked in it sends it up thru?
 
With the use of powerheads or a canister discharge, you force water down the lift tubes-under the plates-and back up through the gravel into the water column....a UGF uses air stones or power heads to bring water down through the gravel-under the plates-and up the lift tubes...
 
Not that I have ever experienced...
 
Me neither, essentially it would do the same thing you are suggesting but continuously and without removing it from the tank...which is why I always like running a secondary filter (HOB, canister) to do more of the polishing. You would still need to physically remove and replace water though.
 
I thought about doing rufg in my new 29, but couldnt find any power heads for a price I was willing to pay.

I think your idea is really cool, especially for people using heavier round river rocks that gravel vacs cant pick up. I can see it all set up in my head with the outlet tube connected to a hose going to the faucet t from a python. But I cant help but think that there has to be a disadvantage somewhere or people would have been doing it a long time ago.
 
I don't use RUGF for water changes...I do it for maximum BB area of tank surfaces...
 
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