under gravel filter

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kynto

AC Members
Mar 22, 2010
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hi all =) i bought my new 75gal tank today, and it came with an under gravel filter. i have never used one before, so how do i set it up???? i was reading some people do not like them so my questions are: 1) how to set it up? 2 why dont people like them? 3) can i run it with my power filter as well, so i have 2 filtration systems? thanks =) also, what size tank does a penguin 550 powerhead suit? it came with 2 powerheads.
 
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They are great filters. Assuming your using gravel ofcourse ;) The more course the gravel the better as it provides more surface area.

What you want to do is rather simple. Lay down the under gravel filter plates on the bare bottom of the tank. Install the uplift tubes (clear tubing ) into the holes in the plates. Typically on the back right and left corners. Then you can put your gravel bed down (I have success with 3-4" of gravel) Install your powerhead so the intake side pulls water up the uplift tubes. This pulls the water through the gravel making it an effective biological filter bed. And a decent mechanical filter (you will see this when you vacuum the gravel:)

You can absolutely run it with a power filter as well.
I hope this helps ! Let me know if you need any more advice etc

Best of luck ,
Taylor Carswell
 
here is what i have done so far:

vhf2c4.jpg



now.... i have 2 tubes which seem to go into the 2 holes on the right filter, but they will be underwater. i also have 1 tube that is 2 inches higher than the tank o.O
what do i do with it???? i also have another powerhead
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Trim the longer uplift tube down to size to submerge your powerhead and attach it to the uplift tube :) (You will probably want the powerhead an inch under the waters surface to allow good circulation)

Im not sure what you mean by they will be underwater ? The whole system should be.

Let me know man.
 
The extra long tube is "probably" for taller tanks.

You need only two "lift-tubes", so remove one and cap it (one tube on each side of tank).

PS--You will need two powerheads also.

But to answer your other questions---

Many years ago I too use to use UG filters. The are not bad if you understand it's
"short-comings". You Must do deep gravel vacs, and remembering that the flow of water "takes the path of least resistance", the gravel must be level and not have too many rocks, ect on top of it.

Remember that you are using you gravel as a filter media.
 
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Cluunox said:
Is that power filter a hang on back with filter media in it and if so could the extra long tube be for hooking it into the UGF?
Click to expand...

Why would you want the intake tube of the external filter coming out of the UG filter?? The water is already filtered.
 
yes, the power filter is a hang on back with filter media. it has nothing to do with the undergravel, i just put it in in reference to my setup.

the long one confuses me as i got the setup as a whole tank that used to have fish in it

i dida little reading on undergravel systems just now, and there are people talking about toxic buildups releasing in one go and killing the fish, and of bacteria dying and the oxygen dropping and killing the fish. i guess ill trial it, see how it goes. im honestly a bit confused with it, as there doesnt seem to be any kind of filter medium or a place fofr it to go. where does all the gunk end up???????

i will be running 2 undergravel airstone bars plus the power filter so i hope that will prevent sudden oxygen drops.

how will i know if the undergravel is working properly???

right now it has just water in it, i wont be putting the fish in for at least a week, until im happy with the water,(my current 55gal is still set up for my fish which means my living room has a 3 foot square to move in ROFL)
 
kynto said:
i dida little reading on undergravel systems just now, and there are people talking about toxic buildups releasing in one go and killing the fish, and of bacteria dying and the oxygen dropping and killing the fish. i guess ill trial it, see how it goes. im honestly a bit confused with it, as there doesnt seem to be any kind of filter medium or a place fofr it to go. where does all the gunk end up???????

how will i know if the undergravel is working properly???
Click to expand...


You gravel is the filter media. It uses the gravel to trap dirt.

You will know it is working when your ammonia and nitrites drop and you have some nitrates (proably a lot).


PS--Like I said---I use to have UG filters and never had a problem with them as long as you understand them.
 
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