Reverse UnderGravel Filter

[ReesaPie]

My solution to the 30g hex filtering problem is going to be a reverse under gravel filter powered by 1 or 2 power heads (in addition to my penguin 170)
the problem is that they just don't make under gravel filters for a tank this shape.... at least not any where in my town. So i'm thinking.. they can't be too difficult to make right? i'm thinking plastic milk crate cut to fit the tank, or even this stuff at home depot (plastic grate like stuff). it doesn't have to be perfect, i only need it to move water and debris upward.

is this a reasonable project? has anybody tried this? any advice would be great thanks!

[ReesaPie]

i'm guessing nobody has tried it..... well....

what brand of powerheads would work best for a reverse UGF?

[mymiata94]

Have you tried Big Al's online for the UGF?? I think even Petsmart might be able to get you one.

[chc]

I don't think you'll find a great deal of support for undergravel filters on this forum. There are too many better choices.

[Chet]

I think a reverse flow undergravel filter is a really cool idea. I have read alot of positive comments and results from them. The concept of keeping debris up off the bottom and in circulation for easy removal by a HOB filter is great. I know a traditional undergravel filter can cause problems by trapping debris, but a reverse flow, with a prefilter sponge on the powerhead should only serve to make maintenance easier and provide a cleaner tank with better water movement.

My personal concern with a reverse flow UGF is the distribution of water pressure. I would think it would be very hard to get an equal distribution of upward water pressure, unless you somehow modified the filter plate to channel water to sections of the tank. Does that make sense?

[ReesaPie]

i know alot of people who use a powerhead attached to small pvc pipeing with holes throughout their substrate to move debris up, that's and option.

[ferdelance]

What is the best way to hook up a power head to reverse flow? Do you just plug tubing into the outflow and then use an adapter to pump water down the UGF?

[ReesaPie]

That's the only way i can think of... i think a few different types of powerheads come with adapters for reverse flow.

[chc]

Aquaclear.

[Overawed]

I just bought the Marineland with the reverse flow adapter, it works ok. I tried to hook the adapter up to my RIO 1700 but it didn't fit snug enough. I wish Rio made reverse flow adapters, their power heads are clearly head and shoulders above the rest. I actually rigged a Rio 1700 to reverse flow and it works ok. The gravel has been a lot cleaner at cleaning times.

The pvc tubes under the substrate sounds like the best idea for getting continous water pressure.

[thmandan22]

i bought a Profile reverse flow 180gph powerhead for under gravel filtration and it works great it was only $20 and it keeps the water crystal clean.

[northpeak]

I recently purchased a 54g corner tank with a rounded front. Since they don't make a stock UGF for that size and shape, I made one that works like a champ.

Here's what I did....

I purchased a commercial fluorescent light cover( the white kind that is a 24" by 48" grate), 10 feet of 1/4" internal diameter flexible PVC tubing, and a roll of fiberglass window screen.

I cut the grate to fit the tank and placed the grate on top of the PVC tubing that was cut and layed on the bottom of the tank(make sure that the PVC is running parrallel to each other and allows unrestricted waterflow to your intake tube).

I cut a hole in a scrap piece of grate for the intake tube to fit in. I placed the scrap piece on top of the uncut grate where I wanted the intake tube to be in the tank. This allows for the intake tube to rest on your grate and not the aquarium floor.

I then cut the fiberglass screen to fit over the grate. It's better to have it be a bit too big vs too small, you can "tuck" the extra screen under the grate. I cut a hole in the screen where my intake tube goes and placed the tube.

Cover with gravel and your off the the races! :drink: