The Under Gravel Filter Controversy
Truth About the Reliability and Safety of Under Gravel Filters ...
Under gravel filters- made up of a plate that sits underneath the substrate and a pump that sucks the water through the gravel. Good bacteria grow on the gravel and particles are trapped within the stones.
Under Gravel Filters are readily available. They provide one of the best methods of biological filtration. An air pump provides circulation, which draws water through the gravel.
Under gravel filter (ugf):
These filters can be considered a double edge sword to many aquarist. This kind of filter is inside your tank, so nothing hangs on the back.
Under Gravel Filter System
Under gravel filters have been around for probably 20 years. If you decide too use an undergravel filter I would recommend using it in conjunction with an outside power filter.
Under gravel Filter (UGF) - Basically it is a perforated plate or series of joined perforated tubes which is placed under the aquarium gravel.
UGF (Under Gravel Filter) - Most UGF’s are sold in beginner aquarium kits. They are inexpensive and relatively maintenance free. They work by placing a filter “plate' under the gravel or substrate of your aquarium.
Reverse Under Gravel Filter: This variant of an under gravel filter runs in the opposite direction, pushing water up through the gravel. It requires water pumps of some sort to run, but needs cleaning less often.
Under Gravel Filters, like sponge filters, use either an airline or a powerhead to pull water down through the gravel, up into pipes at the back of the tank, and out into the tank again.
Under gravel Filter - (UGF) Basically it is a perforated plate which is placed under
the aquarium gravel. Water is drawn thru the gravel, thru the plate, up thru lift tubes,
and finally sprayed back on top the aquarium water.
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Under Gravel Filters
An under gravel filter employs a slotted plate that is installed underneath the substrate (e.g.; gravel) and has multiple tubes, called uplift tubes, that extend upward toward the surface of the water.
Under gravel Filter - A filter that works by sucking the water through the gravel then up a tube and back to the top of the aquarium. This provides both mechanical and biological filtration. Click here to read our filtration guide.
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UGF - Under Gravel Filter. Perforated plates rest on the aquarium bottom and support the gravel substrate. Using lift tubes and power heads, water is pulled down through the gravel, up into the tube, and returned to the water column.
Do not use an under gravel filter or other air driven filter in a planted tank. It will drive off needed CO2. Use either an internal or external power filter. There are many good ones on the market.
In a tank with an under gravel filter, we may bury bags with AC under the gravel next to the airlifts. This method becomes very messy when the time for replenishing AC comes.
Quantity - Frequency of replacement ...
Examples are under gravel filters, sponge filters, and trickle filters. brackish Water that part-way between freshwater and marine. A number of species prefer partly-salty water.
Power Head - A submersible pump normally used with under gravel filters.
Redox - (Reduction-Oxidation) A measure of how easy it is for organic reactions to take place. This indicates overall water quality.
For this, we are going to use an under gravel filter. 1.(fitting an under gravel filter): using a craft knife, trim the airlift tube to suit the water depth of the tank, and slot it into the airlift hole in the filter plate.
I wouldn't recommend under gravel filters, as oscars love to dig in the gravel, under gravel plates can often cause some damage around the mouth and gills.
--Add under gravel filter, if using this type of filter, or another filter type.
--Add substrate, and level (if not level the water circulation will go through thinnest parts, or paths of ...
If you are going to use an under gravel filter (not recommended) now would be the time to set it up as well. STEP 6: Wash Gravel, plants and decorations. Be sure to wash the gravel thoroughly before adding it to your tank.
Is it really impossible to have a healthy aquarium with an Under Gravel Filter? No, of course not. Undergravel filters have been used successfully by many hobbyists, including respected experts, for a couple of decades now.
For example, many people advocate using under gravel filters for biological filtration. This however, must be tempered with wisdom.
Under gravel filters, bio-wheels, wet/dry or trickle filters all have the same goal, to house and grow nitrifying bacteria. These types of filters are essential for fish only systems.
A basic plenum may be created by suspending egg crate material or under gravel filter plates above the aquarium bottom, using inert supports such as PVC pipe.
I figured it was time to make the Big Change and remove the existing Under Gravel Filter (UGF) and start off on the right foot for a more healthy planted tank.
A pump that injects air into your aquarium, to drive sponge filters or under gravel filters, protein skimmers, air stones, etc.
I'm sorry, but to me this like telling people not to vacuum conventional under gravel filters. Where do they think the fish poop, uneaten food, plant debris, etcetera, is going to go?
Hole in the Head often occurs in aquariums with under gravel filters, and sometimes in aquariums with canister filters, but rarely in aquariums with a BIO-Wheel filters.
Image Gallery of Hole in the Head
(Click to view full resolution) ...
A mechanical filter. This is necessary if you are using under gravel filter. However if powerful biological filter is use, these are unnecessary.
An air pump or water pump.
Fine gravel or coarse sand.
The tank had about an inch of gravel over an under gravel filter. Tankmates included skunk Botia and other Synodontis spp. The fish were fed mainly frozen brine shrimp, bloodworm, and ProGreen (a mixture of green, clams, and shrimp).
This happened a couple of months ago and now there`s netting over the entrance to the under gravel filter so nobody can injure themselves. The gravel has now gone from the filter and its working properly and all of the fish are ok. Touch wood.
 See also: Filter, Gravel, Water, Aquarium, Fish
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