I was wondering if anybody in AC uses undergravel filters? If so how do they work and what are the pros and cons of them?
Undergravel filters
- Thread starter santiago
- Start date
I wouldn't use them because once they are in they are easy to get out but a pain to get back in...Also I just wouldn't use them because there are better filters!
Sure I've got them in a couple of tanks. They work by using the gravel itself as the bio media. These filters are simple and effective. I tend to use other filter types with my more 'special' tanks, but if I can get away with an UGF it's great. You'll want to gravel vac from time to time as they will clog eventually, but that takes a long time and isn't such a big deal to fix.
I use UGF and RUGF....have for 30+ years. Never seen one clog as you hear folks repeat over and over....usually from folks who have never used them or maintained them incorrectly.
A standard air driven UGF operates by air displacing water in the lift tube. The weight of the water outside the tube is greater than that of the water in the tube. Tank water will push down thru the substrate, under the plates, and back up the tube and out....resulting in flow.
This is a low flow set up. By adding a power head to the top of the tube, you greatly increase the flow thru the substrate.
A standard air driven UGF operates by air displacing water in the lift tube. The weight of the water outside the tube is greater than that of the water in the tube. Tank water will push down thru the substrate, under the plates, and back up the tube and out....resulting in flow.
This is a low flow set up. By adding a power head to the top of the tube, you greatly increase the flow thru the substrate.
Guilty as charged
Don't get me wrong. It just happened to me for the first time a few days ago and I don't think they clog easily.
I could say that vaccing eases nitrate production.
I wholeheartedly agree with Rb when it comes to the subject. I ran a UGF, then a RUGF, for a few years and never ran into problems. Weekly gravel vacs should prevent any problems. Removing the grating was a pain when I decided to try a canister but luckily it was at a time where I was doing a complete overhaul of the tank anyways. So in reality it wasn't a huge pain in the butt.
IMO they're the best filtration system(s) for the price. If you go the RUGF route (which I recommend) I would also pick up a smaller HOB to provide surface agitation and some mech filtration...
IMO they're the best filtration system(s) for the price. If you go the RUGF route (which I recommend) I would also pick up a smaller HOB to provide surface agitation and some mech filtration...
katana1200
Unhealthy obsession?
As a related question to this thread, is the mechanical filtration for this type of system the gravel vac'ing itself? Are there options with an undergravel filter system for removing fine particles or is it the gravel itself that traps debris that is removed by the vac? I must say I've been put off by the idea of an UGF system for the ease of the HOB with a biowheel. Perhaps I should rethink the UGF for a non-planted tank.