Under Gravel Filters

[SkydiveSonic]

Not sure which forum to post this in, but here goes ....

Couple of question regarding undergravel filters. a) how effective are they when using a power filter as well (a fluval 3) B) would switching off the air pump be ok? I've read in some places it could be bad to switch off the air pump, but the noise is driving me nuts at night (loud pump in my bedroom isn't good lol). There's plenty of surface agitation of the water caused by the fluval 3, so i'm assuming it would be ok???

 

[diademhill]

Not sure which forum to post this in, but here goes ....

Couple of question regarding undergravel filters. a) how effective are they when using a power filter as well (a fluval 3) B) would switching off the air pump be ok? I've read in some places it could be bad to switch off the air pump, but the noise is driving me nuts at night (loud pump in my bedroom isn't good lol). There's plenty of surface agitation of the water caused by the fluval 3, so i'm assuming it would be ok???

Dont do it - you would have a sudden die back of the bacteria in the gravel and a major pollution problem.
You could use your fluval 3 to drive the UG instead - fit a pipe to the outflow & push this down the UG uplift- make a seal (rubber bands?) and the water pushing from under the gravel will give one of the best filtration systems going. You will get quite a bit of crud for a week or two so a thorough gravel vaccing first is a good idea.
HTH
Sue

 

[SkydiveSonic]

yeah that's what i thought might happen (thinking about the flow etc). Just thought i should check it out on here first. Thanks