Undergravel Filter Help

[TomShootsPhoto]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering what size gravel I need to have for my undergravel filter.

Any help appriciated!

 

[TwoTankAmin]

A medium size gravel. Fine gravels and sands will clog the plates and also restrict the flow through rate. Too big and it reduces the available surface area and makes it much easier for larger particles to get pulled deeper down.

I would suggest that you consider running the system as a RUGF using a powerhead. If so be sure to sponge the intake. It is also a good idea to have an additional filter (often a power filter) to help with mech. waste and for doing chemical filtration when needed as well as providing surface agitation for gas exchange.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Why are you opting for a UGF? They're really hard to keep clean IMO.

 

[TomShootsPhoto]

The UGF filter won't be my main filter it would just be for my tank to reduce the hassle with water changes.
I am drilling a hole in the tank and leading PVC piping trough it and connect it to the UGF. When the output tap is opened, the fish waste is sucked trough the gravel down the filter and into the toilet... This way I don't have syphon

Here is a picture to demonstrate it, sorry for the misspellings

 

[TomShootsPhoto]

Do you think that this is a good idea? The PVC piping will be replaced with a hole in the bottom of the tank.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

The best advice I can give you regarding UGFs is to send you to this article. RTR is one of the very few fish people about whom I make the following statement. "What ever he tells you to do, do and don't waste your time questioning it. Whatever he tell you not to try, don't." I have been fortunate enough to chat with him many years back and occasionally to exchange an email or two.

Undergravel Filters: Conventional, Reverse-Flow, & RTR's Ultimate Over-Engineered RFUG By: Robert T. Ricketts, a.k.a. RTR

Google his name.

 

[TomShootsPhoto]

Thank you for the helpful article!! It helped a lot!