How To Undergravel Filters Work
An undergravel filter is one of the most efficient fish tank accessories that act as a biological filter. While you can hands purchase this accessory online, yous should beginning sympathize the concept and science backside this product and how to properly fix information technology upward to attain the best results.
- How does an undergravel filter work?
- Mechanical filtration
- Biological Filtration
- Chemical Filtration
- How to install an undergravel filter?
- All-time undergravel filter review
- Penn Plax CFU Series Undergravel Filter
- Lee'due south Premium Undergravel Filter
- Imagitarium Undergravel Filter
- Undergravel Filtration Bottom Circular Bar
- Exercise You Need an Undergravel Filter?
- Ofttimes Asked Questions
How does an undergravel filter work?
When fish eat, they defecate later. Forth with other unwanted particles, fish feces volition sink to the bottom. If left untreated or not retrieved, it will decompose releasing toxic substances like ammonia and nitrites. Designed with a slatted base (or a slit) and covered with gravel (pebbles or modest rocks but Not SAND since it will pass through), undergravel filters human activity as a sieve assuasive unwanted particles to settle at the bottom.
But here's the thing: an undergravel filter tin can not piece of work lone and it needs further accessories to be fully functional. In this case, undergravel filters need either an air pump or a powerhead pump, both of which do not come with the production and are sold separately.
In the case of air pumps, the air is pumped through a line from the bottom of the tank. In effect, bubbling will rise to the surface pushing water down towards the gravel.
For powerhead pumps, water (along with the unwanted substances) is vacuumed at the bottom, filtered, and released out clean water at the surface through the filter tubes.
Here's an illustration showing the departure 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 you volition utilize together with the undergravel filter, these pump accessories create water motion that facilitates the filtration of unwanted substances. As water is circulated in the tank as an event of the use of undergravel filter and pump, filtration will occur in many forms:
Mechanical filtration
The gravel that covers the undergravel filter is not just for aesthetic purposes. It acts as a mechanical filter by trapping large particles as the water is beingness circulated. Every bit particles accumulate, y'all demand to mechanically remove them during water alter or with the employ of an aquarium gravel cleaner.
Cleaning the substrate with a gravel vacuum cleaner.
Biological Filtration
This type of filtration occurs primarily in the gravel itself, at the lesser 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 leaner which breaks down the unwanted substances (primarily ammonia and nitrites) making your tank h2o prophylactic for the fish to thrive.
Chemic Filtration
Using activated substances similar carbon, these substances absorb chemicals released from fish nutrient, fish feces, and the breaking downward and decomposition of unwanted substances.
Yous have to take note that non all undergravel filters have a chemic filtration system. In the absence of a chemical filtration organization that goes with your undergravel filter, you can utilise canister filters that have been proven to be effective in taking out unwanted substances, in this case, chemicals.
How to install an undergravel filter?
Setting upwardly an undergravel filter is very easy. Even so, you need to follow these steps to attain maximum filtration efficiency:
- Since it is located at the bottom-near part of the tank, an undergravel filter should exist the starting time accessory that y'all should install. Nothing should go first except for the parts and components of the undergravel filter.
- Depending on the size of your tank, place one 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 volition human action as a vacuum that volition siphon the unwanted substances.
- One time the plates and the tubes are laid out, place gravel on height of it that will human activity both as a substrate and a mechanical filter. Please take note to identify just the correct corporeality of gravel creating an optimum layer (non too thin and not likewise thick). Based on practice, the recommended gravel layer is 1.5 to 3 inches thick.
- Pour in water, initially just above the gravel layer. At this moment, make some adjustments and make sure that water freely flows underneath the substrate. If you place also much gravel, h2o movement towards the undergravel filter is restricted. As well, the undergravel filter will not hold in identify if y'all place also little gravel and may float.
- Later on checking, pour in water upward to the suggested water level in your tank and let it to settle for a few seconds.
- Afterward settling, turn on the pump and check if there is h2o movement. In the case of air pumps, h2o should be bubbles out of the filter tubes. On the other hand, clean and filtered h2o is released dorsum if you use powerhead pumps.
- Adapt the pump rate in such a way that it mimics the natural environment of the fish that you will proceed in the aquarium.
All-time undergravel filter review
Penn Plax CFU Series Undergravel Filter
With dissimilar tank size compatibility, the Penn Plax CFU series is one of the about versatile undergravel filters in the market. It has multi-size choices that are compatible ranging from a v-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 | 5 gallon | 10 gallon | xv – twenty gallon | 20 – 29 gallon | 40 – 55 gallon |
| Dimension when Installed | 15.v″ 10 7.v″ | nineteen″ ten 9.v″ | 23″ x 11.five″ | 28.5 10 11.5″ | 46″ x 11.5″ |
| Individual Plate Size | vii.five″ 10 7.v″ | 9.v″ 10 nine.5″ | xi.v″ ten 11.5″ | 14.25″ x xi.5″ | 11.5″ x xi.5″ |
| No. of Plates Included | 2 | ii | 2 | 2 | iv |
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Aside from versatility, the Penn Plax CFU serial is a highly efficient undergravel filter where it is compared and associated with high-tech filters, but with hassle-gratis maintenance. It comes with filter plates, air stones, and adjustable lift tubes.
On top of this, it has carbon filter cartridges that are installed in the return hose. If you decide to replace the filter cartridge, you tin can easily purchase its Activated Carbon Replacement Cartridge #ad or you tin can accompany it with the Ammonia-X Zeolite Media Cartridge #ad which is pinnacle-rated for ammonia absorption.
All in all, the Penn Plax CFU Serial undergravel filter provides a powerful biological and chemical filtration organisation as manifested in your tank'due south crystal clear waters.
Y'all tin assemble this undergravel filter system in less than 5 minutes. After removing the product packaging, beginning by attaching the plates, assemble the lift tubes, and secure them in the plates. Once assembled, place the entire filter system at the bottom of the tank, connect the elevator tube to an air pump or a powerhead filter, add together gravel on top of the plate, and finally, add water.
If y'all are looking for a base plate that does not demand any farther associates, then y'all may consider Lee's Premium Undergravel Filter. Varying in length and width to fit a multifariousness of tank sizes, the base plate of this undergravel filter is one solid slice and all y'all need to assemble is the filter tube attachment.
Here are the specifications for the different models of Lee'due south Premium Undergravel Filters:
| Model # | Plate size | For tanks |
| Lee's v-1/ii #advert | 14.75″ ten 7.25″ (ten i plate) | 5.5 gallon (xvi by 8 inch) |
| Lee's 10 #ad | 19″ x 9.25″ (ten 1 plate) | 10 gallon (twenty by ten inch) |
| Lee's xv/20 #ad | 22.63″ ten 11.25″ (ten 1 plate) | 15-xx gallon (24 past 12 inch) |
| Lee's 20L/29 #ad | 28.63″ ten xi″ (x ane plate) | twenty gal long / 29 gal (thirty-inch long) |
| Lee's 30 #ad | 34.25″ 10 xi.13″ (x 1 plate) | xxx gallon (36 past 12 inch) |
| Lee's twoscore/55 #advert | 22.25″ x eleven.38″ (x ii plates) | 40 – 55 gallon (48 by 12 inch) |
| Lee's 50/65 #advertising | 17.63″ x xvi.5″ (x two plates) | 50 – 65 gallon (36 by 18 inch) |
| Lee's lxx/xc #ad | 22.88″ x 16.25″ (10 2 plates) | seventy – ninety gallon (48 past 18 inch) |
| Lee's 125/135 #ad | 23″ x 16.25″ (x iii plates) | 125 – 135 gallon (72 by eighteen inch) |
And information technology's non merely about its 1-piece characteristic, the base of operations plate has added characteristics making information technology one of the highly preferred undergravel filters. First, the base plate has a sloping angular orientation. In effect, unwanted substances will naturally get to the faux bottom as h2o is circulated, making it an efficient mechanical filter. And second, the base plate is made from a special quality plastic that can resist splitting or slap-up, making it highly preferred by saltwater aquarists. This product also comes with a filter tube with active charcoal for chemic filtration.
Imagitarium Undergravel Filter
This undergravel filter is similar to the Penn Plax CFU serial undergravel filter, except that this unit of measurement is specifically designed for a 10-gallon tank. It has a 2 slatted plastic base that tin can be easily assembled and locked together. It as well comes with 2 filter tubes, each equipped with a filter cartridge that is embedded with activated carbon for chemical filtration. In case y'all want to alter the filter cartridge, this unit of measurement is compatible with the Penn Plax carbon replacement filters or the Penn Plax Ammonia Ten replacement filter.
Undergravel Filtration Bottom Circular Bar
Instead of using base plates and powered by a powerhead pump, this undergravel filter uses round plastic bars with multiple slits. In upshot, the suction of unwanted materials occurs anywhere at the lesser, thereby increasing its filtration efficiency.
This production is composed of slitted tube pipes, circular bar tubes, and connector joints. This means that this undergravel filter can be customized where y'all tin install and connect the pipes depending on the length, width, and shape of your tank.
Do Yous Need an Undergravel Filter?
If yous are not sure whether yous need an undergravel filter or not, then yous may answer this question past because several factors, like:
Factor 1: Frequency of water change. How frequently do you need to change the water? Does your water tank easily get fouled? Do you take fourth dimension for a frequent water change?
Factor 2: 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 y'all keeping a small corporeality of fish or do you lot want to maximize your tank infinite and add more fish?
With these factors in place, you should use an undergravel filter when:
- You lot have no fourth dimension for a frequent water modify. Think that the undergravel filter volition practice the work for you. This is except for too much fouling, defecation or an accidental feed dislodge where you lot need to practice the water exchange yourself. This idea will also complement if you are planning to keep a low-maintenance aquarium.
- You have a high stocking density. Sometimes, nosotros are overwhelmed by the beauty and beliefs of the fish that we tend to add together more than fish to the tank. If this is the instance, then expect more feeding and defecation which ways that you lot need an added filter system.
- You are using chemically-induced fish feeds. Some feeds are fortified with vitamins and minerals in the course of chemicals. If these chemicals are not consumed, they can add to your water'south chemical content and this is where the chemical filtration characteristics of undergravel filters come into use.
- Yous are keeping fish that are messy eaters and defecates often. Although not all fish species, there are certain fish that are messy eaters and frequently defecate, like a plecostomus. So, yous demand to use an undergravel filter to address this kind of fish behavior.
- You lot only simply want to place an added form of filter in your tank. In that location'due south no damage if you spend a few bucks for an undergravel filter in exchange for the added filtration piece of work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are undergravel filters good for alive plants?
It depends on the root system of the alive plants that you are keeping. Undergravel filters are platonic for plants that take a small root arrangement. However, if you are keeping live plants that take a massive root organisation, the apply of an undergravel filter is non ideal as the roots tin can block and restrict water menses, thereby decreasing the filter efficiency.
Do undergravel filters trap babe fish or shrimp?
Baby fish and shrimps usually stay on top of the gravel and tin hands handle balmy water flow. In fact, baby fish and shrimps demand a balmy flow of water for growth and evolution. However, it is a different story if your tank has a strong h2o catamenia where baby fish and shrimp could be carried away and trap either in the false bottom of the undergravel filter or in the filter tubes.
Should I use an undergravel filter?
As we mentioned earlier, some factors need to be considered for you to come with a decision. Factors like frequency of water change, the type of fish that you are keeping, and the stocking density. You should use an undergravel filter when you lot have no time for a frequent water modify, you take a high stocking density, you lot are using chemically-induced feeds, you are keeping fish that are messy eaters and defecates frequently.
How do I maintain and clean an undergravel filter?
When the time comes that you demand to make clean your undergravel filter, you actually don't need to take it out completely of the tank. All yous 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 dirt, feces, and other unwanted materials.
Tin I use the undergravel filter and power filter together?
Yes. In fact, ability filters are one of the options that tin can power up an undergravel filter and function it to its full potential. The other option you lot have in powering up an undergravel filter is an air pump.
Can I employ an undergravel filter with sand substrate?
No. We have to remember that the base plates of the undergravel filter are either slatted or has slits (in the example of a circular bar). When yous use sand, instead of covering the top surface of the undergravel filter that will act as a substrate and a mechanical filter, the sand will just drop on the false bottom. In effect, it will significantly cake the menses of water and reduce filter efficiency.
What is a reverse-flow undergravel filter?
A typical undergravel filter pulls out h2o from the gravel, passing through the false bottom and in the filter tube earlier information technology is released back as clean and filtered water. In the example of a contrary-catamenia undergravel filter, it is the other effectually: water is beingness pushed out of the gravel from the faux bottom. That'south the reason why you see some bubbles coming out of the gravel if you use a reverse-flow undergravel filter.
How do I choose an undergravel filter for a hexagon tank?
Hexagon tanks are unique since it has 8 sides as compared to the traditional iv-sided tank we all know. Y'all still can install an undergravel filter in a hexagon tank, provided that you choose a base plate that has a square shape. In this instance, what we tin recommend for a hexagon tank is the Penn Plax undergravel filter. And past the way, choose a base plate that has a similar length (should non exceed) to your hexagonal tank so you lot can easily install it and lay it flat at the lesser.
Enjoy and happy fish keeping!
How To Undergravel Filters Work,
Source: https://portlandaquarium.net/undergravel-filter/#:~:text=A%20typical%20undergravel%20filter%20pulls,gravel%20from%20the%20false%20bottom.
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