Newbie Needing Some Advice On Filtration

[vanderdraay]

hi im relatively new to the tropical scene ive been running a 125l tank for a year and a half with 2 filters a fluval 3 internal and a tetra tec external in my south american cichlid community tank , i need some help and advice i want to run under gravel filtration through my external filter, is this possible and what is the best way please advise many thanks !!!



2 pristolepis marginata
2 rainbow cichlids
5 kribensis 3 f 2 m
1 german blue ram
2 blue acara
2 common plecs
1 rainbow parkinsoni

 

[OldMan47]

It is possible to use the canister filter with a UGF. You will need to choose a direction for the flow. If you want a simple UGF flow path just connect the canister inlet to the UGF riser and you are powering both with the pump in the canister. If you would like to try a reverse UGF, as some people here use, you connect the return line to the UGF riser and let it run backward.
A forward flow will use the UGF as a mechanical and biological filter that protects the main filter from much buildup of contaminants. The UGF will need cleaning often by just using a gravel vac on the substrate. If you reverse the UGF, the canister will take on the job of mechanical filtration and protect the UGF from a dirt build up. That makes things easier to maintain because the gravel stays fairly clean all the time. Even excess food that falls to the bottom will not work its way down into the gravel with a RUGF.

 

[vanderdraay]

It is possible to use the canister filter with a UGF. You will need to choose a direction for the flow. If you want a simple UGF flow path just connect the canister inlet to the UGF riser and you are powering both with the pump in the canister. If you would like to try a reverse UGF, as some people here use, you connect the return line to the UGF riser and let it run backward.
A forward flow will use the UGF as a mechanical and biological filter that protects the main filter from much buildup of contaminants. The UGF will need cleaning often by just using a gravel vac on the substrate. If you reverse the UGF, the canister will take on the job of mechanical filtration and protect the UGF from a dirt build up. That makes things easier to maintain because the gravel stays fairly clean all the time. Even excess food that falls to the bottom will not work its way down into the gravel with a RUGF.

sorry to sound stupid but by canister you mean external i presume if so many thanks

 

[waterdrop]

yes, by cannister, he means external cannister filter

 

[OldMan47]

The general type of filter that your Tetra-tech is are called a canister where I live. They are a canister that is external to the tank. I think of HOB filters as being external too so I call a canister what it is to avoid that possible confusion. The local name for many things are different. English speakers are a group of people separated by a common language. LOL