How Do Under Gravel Filters Work With Images
An undergravel filter is one of the most efficient fish tank accessories that act as a biological filter. While you tin can easily purchase this accessory online, you should first empathise the concept and science behind this product and how to properly set it up to achieve the all-time results.
- How does an undergravel filter piece of work?
- Mechanical filtration
- Biological Filtration
- Chemical Filtration
- How to install an undergravel filter?
- Best undergravel filter review
- Penn Plax CFU Series Undergravel Filter
- Lee's Premium Undergravel Filter
- Imagitarium Undergravel Filter
- Undergravel Filtration Bottom Round Bar
- Do You Need an Undergravel Filter?
- Frequently Asked Questions
How does an undergravel filter piece of work?
When fish eat, they defecate afterward. Along with other unwanted particles, fish carrion will sink to the bottom. If left untreated or not retrieved, it volition decompose releasing toxic substances like ammonia and nitrites. Designed with a slatted base (or a slit) and covered with gravel (pebbles or minor rocks only NOT SAND since it volition pass through), undergravel filters act as a sieve allowing unwanted particles to settle at the bottom.
Only hither's the thing: an undergravel filter can not work alone and it needs farther accessories to be fully functional. In this instance, undergravel filters need either an air pump or a powerhead pump, both of which do non come with the product and are sold separately.
In the example of air pumps, the air is pumped through a line from the lesser of the tank. In effect, bubbles volition ascension to the surface pushing water downwards towards the gravel.
For powerhead pumps, water (along with the unwanted substances) is vacuumed at the bottom, filtered, and released out make clean water at the surface through the filter tubes.
Here's an illustration showing the difference between an undergravel filter powered by an air pump (left) and a powerhead pump (right).
Photo courtesy from Wikipedia Commons
Regardless of an air pump or a powerhead pump that y'all will use together with the undergravel filter, these pump accessories create water movement that facilitates the filtration of unwanted substances. As h2o is circulated in the tank as an effect of the use of undergravel filter and pump, filtration will occur in many forms:
Mechanical filtration
The gravel that covers the undergravel filter is non only for aesthetic purposes. Information technology acts as a mechanical filter past trapping big particles as the h2o is being circulated. Every bit particles accumulate, yous need to mechanically remove them during water alter or with the use of an aquarium gravel cleaner.
Cleaning the substrate with a gravel vacuum cleaner.
Biological Filtration
This blazon of filtration occurs primarily in the gravel itself, at the bottom of the tank as created by the false flooring of the undergravel filter, and in the walls of the filter tubes. Since the said areas provide surface, it promotes the growth of bacteria which breaks downward the unwanted substances (primarily ammonia and nitrites) making your tank water safe for the fish to thrive.
Chemical Filtration
Using activated substances like carbon, these substances absorb chemicals released from fish nutrient, fish carrion, and the breaking down and decomposition of unwanted substances.
You take to have note that not all undergravel filters take a chemical filtration arrangement. In the absenteeism of a chemical filtration organisation that goes with your undergravel filter, you tin can apply canister filters that have been proven to be effective in taking out unwanted substances, in this example, chemicals.
How to install an undergravel filter?
Setting upward an undergravel filter is very like shooting fish in a barrel. However, you need to follow these steps to attain maximum filtration efficiency:
- Since it is located at the lesser-nigh part of the tank, an undergravel filter should be the first accessory that you should install. Null should become kickoff except for the parts and components of the undergravel filter.
- Depending on the size of your tank, identify 1 or more plates and lay them flat at the bottom of the tank.
- Connect the filter tubes (usually in a vertical position) to the plates. These tubes will human activity as a vacuum that will siphon the unwanted substances.
- In one case the plates and the tubes are laid out, place gravel on top of it that will act both as a substrate and a mechanical filter. Delight take notation to place just the correct amount of gravel creating an optimum layer (not too sparse and non too thick). Based on do, the recommended gravel layer is 1.v to three inches thick.
- Pour in water, initially just higher up the gravel layer. At this moment, brand some adjustments and brand sure that water freely flows underneath the substrate. If you place too much gravel, h2o movement towards the undergravel filter is restricted. Likewise, the undergravel filter volition not concord in place if you lot identify too fiddling gravel and may float.
- Afterwards checking, pour in water upwards to the suggested water level in your tank and let it to settle for a few seconds.
- After settling, turn on the pump and cheque if there is water move. In the case of air pumps, water should be bubbling out of the filter tubes. On the other manus, clean and filtered h2o is released back if you use powerhead pumps.
- Accommodate the pump rate in such a way that it mimics the natural surroundings of the fish that yous will keep in the aquarium.
Best undergravel filter review
Penn Plax CFU Series Undergravel Filter
With different tank size compatibility, the Penn Plax CFU series is one of the most versatile undergravel filters in the marketplace. It has multi-size choices that are compatible ranging from a five-gallon tank up to the big 55-gallon aquarium.
Hither are the specifications and inclusions for each of the Penn Plax CFU Series undergravel filters:
| Model # | CFU5 | CFU10 | CFU20 | CFU29 | CFU55 |
| Compatible Aquarium Size | five gallon | ten gallon | 15 – 20 gallon | 20 – 29 gallon | 40 – 55 gallon |
| Dimension when Installed | 15.5″ 10 7.5″ | nineteen″ ten 9.5″ | 23″ x 11.five″ | 28.5 x xi.5″ | 46″ x 11.v″ |
| Private Plate Size | 7.5″ x 7.5″ | 9.5″ x 9.5″ | 11.5″ x 11.5″ | 14.25″ x xi.5″ | 11.5″ x 11.5″ |
| No. of Plates Included | 2 | ii | 2 | ii | iv |
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Bated from versatility, the Penn Plax CFU series is a highly efficient undergravel filter where information technology is compared and associated with high-tech filters, merely with hassle-gratuitous maintenance. It comes with filter plates, air stones, and adaptable lift tubes.
On top of this, it has carbon filter cartridges that are installed in the return hose. If you determine to replace the filter cartridge, yous can easily buy its Activated Carbon Replacement Cartridge #advert or you can accompany it with the Ammonia-Ten Zeolite Media Cartridge #ad which is peak-rated for ammonia absorption.
All in all, the Penn Plax CFU Series undergravel filter provides a powerful biological and chemical filtration system as manifested in your tank'southward crystal clear waters.
You can gather this undergravel filter system in less than 5 minutes. Later on removing the production packaging, outset past attaching the plates, assemble the elevator tubes, and secure them in the plates. Once assembled, place the unabridged filter organization at the bottom of the tank, connect the lift tube to an air pump or a powerhead filter, add gravel on superlative of the plate, and finally, add h2o.
If you are looking for a base plate that does not need any further associates, so you may consider Lee'south Premium Undergravel Filter. Varying in length and width to fit a diversity of tank sizes, the base plate of this undergravel filter is 1 solid piece and all you need to get together is the filter tube zipper.
Hither are the specifications for the unlike models of Lee's Premium Undergravel Filters:
| Model # | Plate size | For tanks |
| Lee's 5-1/2 #ad | 14.75″ x 7.25″ (ten 1 plate) | five.5 gallon (16 by 8 inch) |
| Lee'southward 10 #ad | 19″ 10 9.25″ (x 1 plate) | ten gallon (20 past 10 inch) |
| Lee's 15/20 #ad | 22.63″ 10 xi.25″ (10 1 plate) | 15-20 gallon (24 by 12 inch) |
| Lee'due south 20L/29 #ad | 28.63″ x xi″ (x ane plate) | 20 gal long / 29 gal (30-inch long) |
| Lee'southward thirty #ad | 34.25″ x xi.13″ (x i plate) | 30 gallon (36 by 12 inch) |
| Lee's 40/55 #ad | 22.25″ x 11.38″ (10 ii plates) | xl – 55 gallon (48 past 12 inch) |
| Lee'due south 50/65 #advertizement | 17.63″ ten 16.5″ (x ii plates) | 50 – 65 gallon (36 past 18 inch) |
| Lee's 70/ninety #ad | 22.88″ ten 16.25″ (ten two plates) | 70 – 90 gallon (48 past 18 inch) |
| Lee'south 125/135 #ad | 23″ x sixteen.25″ (ten 3 plates) | 125 – 135 gallon (72 past xviii inch) |
And it's not merely about its one-piece characteristic, the base plate has added characteristics making it one of the highly preferred undergravel filters. First, the base of operations plate has a sloping athwart orientation. In effect, unwanted substances volition naturally go to the false bottom as water is circulated, making information technology an efficient mechanical filter. And 2nd, the base of operations plate is made from a special quality plastic that can resist splitting or cracking, making it highly preferred past saltwater aquarists. This product besides comes with a filter tube with active charcoal for chemical filtration.
Imagitarium Undergravel Filter
This undergravel filter is similar to the Penn Plax CFU serial undergravel filter, except that this unit is specifically designed for a 10-gallon tank. Information technology has a two slatted plastic base that tin can be easily assembled and locked together. It likewise comes with two filter tubes, each equipped with a filter cartridge that is embedded with activated carbon for chemic filtration. In case you desire to modify the filter cartridge, this unit is compatible with the Penn Plax carbon replacement filters or the Penn Plax Ammonia 10 replacement filter.
Undergravel Filtration Lesser Round Bar
Instead of using base plates and powered past a powerhead pump, this undergravel filter uses circular plastic bars with multiple slits. In effect, the suction of unwanted materials occurs anywhere at the bottom, thereby increasing its filtration efficiency.
This product is composed of slitted tube pipes, circular bar tubes, and connector joints. This means that this undergravel filter can exist customized where yous can install and connect the pipes depending on the length, width, and shape of your tank.
Do You Need an Undergravel Filter?
If you are not certain whether you need an undergravel filter or not, then you may answer this question by considering several factors, similar:
Factor 1: Frequency of water modify. How often do you need to alter the h2o? Does your water tank easily become fouled? Practice you lot accept fourth dimension for a frequent water modify?
Factor ii: The type of fish you are keeping. Are your fish voracious and messy eaters? How often does your fish defecate?
Factor 3: Stocking density. Are yous keeping a pocket-size amount of fish or practise yous want to maximize your tank infinite and add more fish?
With these factors in identify, you lot should utilise an undergravel filter when:
- You have no time for a frequent h2o change. Think that the undergravel filter volition do the work for yous. This is except for too much fouling, defecation or an accidental feed dislodge where you lot need to do the water exchange yourself. This idea will likewise complement if you are planning to go on a low-maintenance aquarium.
- Y'all have a high stocking density. Sometimes, we are overwhelmed past the beauty and behavior of the fish that nosotros tend to add more fish to the tank. If this is the example, so expect more than feeding and defecation which means that y'all need an added filter system.
- You are using chemically-induced fish feeds. Some feeds are fortified with vitamins and minerals in the form of chemicals. If these chemicals are not consumed, they can add together to your water's chemical content and this is where the chemical filtration characteristics of undergravel filters come into use.
- Y'all are keeping fish that are messy eaters and defecates frequently. Although non all fish species, at that place are sure fish that are messy eaters and ofttimes defecate, like a plecostomus. And so, you lot need to use an undergravel filter to address this kind of fish behavior.
- You but but want to identify an added form of filter in your tank. There's no damage if you spend a few bucks for an undergravel filter in exchange for the added filtration work.
Ofttimes Asked Questions
Are undergravel filters good for live plants?
Information technology depends on the root arrangement of the live plants that you are keeping. Undergravel filters are ideal for plants that take a modest root system. Withal, if you are keeping live plants that have a massive root organisation, the apply of an undergravel filter is not ideal as the roots tin can cake and restrict h2o menstruation, thereby decreasing the filter efficiency.
Do undergravel filters trap baby fish or shrimp?
Baby fish and shrimps commonly stay on height of the gravel and tin can hands handle mild water flow. In fact, baby fish and shrimps need a mild period of h2o for growth and development. However, it is a different story if your tank has a potent water flow where baby fish and shrimp could be carried away and trap either in the faux bottom of the undergravel filter or in the filter tubes.
Should I employ an undergravel filter?
Every bit nosotros mentioned earlier, some factors need to be considered for you to come up with a conclusion. Factors similar frequency of h2o alter, the blazon of fish that you are keeping, and the stocking density. You should use an undergravel filter when you take no time for a frequent water change, you accept a high stocking density, you are using chemically-induced feeds, you are keeping fish that are messy eaters and defecates ofttimes.
How do I maintain and clean an undergravel filter?
When the fourth dimension comes that you demand to clean your undergravel filter, you lot really don't demand to take information technology out completely of the tank. All you need is a vacuum cleaner. Using the power of suction and by pointing the vacuum tube to the target area, you can easily remove the accumulated clay, carrion, and other unwanted materials.
Tin can I use the undergravel filter and power filter together?
Aye. In fact, power filters are i of the options that can power upward an undergravel filter and part it to its full potential. The other option you lot take in powering up an undergravel filter is an air pump.
Can I use an undergravel filter with sand substrate?
No. We have to call back that the base plates of the undergravel filter are either slatted or has slits (in the case of a circular bar). When you use sand, instead of roofing the top surface of the undergravel filter that will act as a substrate and a mechanical filter, the sand will simply drop on the fake bottom. In effect, information technology volition significantly block the flow of water and reduce filter efficiency.
What is a opposite-flow undergravel filter?
A typical undergravel filter pulls out h2o from the gravel, passing through the imitation bottom and in the filter tube before information technology is released dorsum equally clean and filtered water. In the example of a reverse-catamenia undergravel filter, it is the other around: water is being pushed out of the gravel from the imitation bottom. That's the reason why you see some bubbles coming out of the gravel if you use a reverse-period undergravel filter.
How practice I choose an undergravel filter for a hexagon tank?
Hexagon tanks are unique since it has viii sides as compared to the traditional 4-sided tank we all know. You nonetheless tin install an undergravel filter in a hexagon tank, provided that you choose a base plate that has a square shape. In this case, what we can recommend for a hexagon tank is the Penn Plax undergravel filter. And past the style, choose a base plate that has a similar length (should not exceed) to your hexagonal tank then you lot can hands install it and lay information technology apartment at the bottom.
Enjoy and happy fish keeping!
How Do Under Gravel Filters Work With Images,
Source: https://portlandaquarium.net/undergravel-filter/
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