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Ok I really dont plan to set up an undergravel filter anytime soon. but i think itd be good to know how to do. the thing is that whenever i see directions online or in a book i somehow get confused. i have no idea why. so ive never been quite able to understand exactly how to set one up. anyone know a good way to explain it? sorry lol.

The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we dont know what to do.

Sora

I recently replaced the old UGF when I replaced the 5ft tank that cracked.

I bought it in small squares about 4ins square they all clip together and have a riser out let in each one. All you do is make sure the bottom of the tank is clean in my case no problem at all. Lay them out and push clip them together as you go along. Try to fill the total base of the tank mine is about 1ins short all round. I have three risers and each has its own Rena air pump to give it a good flow through and if one pump breaks down I still have the others working and there will be no problem.
I set the height of the risers to the top level of the water but they can be easily cut (using a fine saw) to the height you require. I also use a plastic air stone these are screwed sections easily pulled apart for cleaning and NEVER require replacing.

The Substrate a good 1-3mm river pebbles is best as it gives a good water movement through the substrate and filter, must be washed completely then spread to a depth of 3-4ins deep.

When I set it up I added a live bacteria and let it run 24 hrs before I added the fish and the plants.

I hope this helps you.

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Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
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Thanks for the reply keith. Yes that helps quite abit thank you very much. one part that still confuses me though is exactly how the water moves through there? i know it has to do with airstones pushing water but i dont quite get how to do it. also UGF's are used for supplemental filtration? or all by themselves? ive heard it both ways just wondering what you think. thanks

The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we dont know what to do.

Sora

The UGF squares are full of narrow slots (if bigger the substrate would fall through)
I think this is basically how it works.
The air-stone in the riser draws up water from the UGF.
The water is pulled through the substrate by this action.
The best way is to have a good look at one in a LFS and you should be able to see how it works.

Also the greater the air pump which will give more air bubbles the greater the flow through the UGF.

In the 5ft tank I have just replaced I have 3 risers one at each of the back corners and one at the center close to the back as well.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

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Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
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Thank you very much keith ive got a much better handle on them now. Im heading out to my LFS tomorow i think so ill ask then. thanks for all the help!

The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we dont know what to do.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO don't get a UGF!! Airstones are crappy at providing the flow for these types of filters, you'll only ruin your tank!!

UGF's have a vast amount of space to draw water through, and with an airstone the flow isn't good enough to provide flow in all areas where the substrate may be a little bit thicker, or in corners or below decor or plants. This lack of water flow creates 'dead spots' where anaerobic bacteria will flourish and produce nasty gasses that can kill fish. Not to mention the detritus that collects in these things can turn a tank black if you pry up a plate!

Only use a UGF if you have reverse flow powerheads to put on the risers. And if you do that, run them backwards so there is always fresh water flowing UP through them.

nononononononononononononono save yourself!!!

P.S. UGF's when set up properly give their user no problems when provided the proper routine maintenance. Inevitably someone will post stating they've had UGF's for years and years and years without any problems. It's possible, but don't tear you tank apart to put in one of these ghastly devices!

hahahaha thanks for the warning fallout. but if you read my post you'd see i said i dont want to set one up only understand how they work lol ive heard about those dreaded dead spots though. those sound incredibly scary anyways i just wanted to know so that if i ever did need to set one up in the future i could or if someone was having a problem i might be able to help.

The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we dont know what to do.

Just figured I'd put the kabosh on the idea before it started brewing

phew

thanks for the concern fallout i appreciate it

The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we dont know what to do.

Sorry Fallout I totally disagree with those statements about UGFs

They are like all other pieces of equipment use in keeping fish they have to be set up correctly and maintained.
You could easily same for any filter if it is either too small or not set up corectly

First I have just reinstalled a new UGF system in the new 5ft tank. Old one had too many broken slats. They must cover as much of the base as possible mine has a small gap between the ends of the UGF and the glass this is essential for a good filtration.

I also have three risers one each back corner and one in the center of the back of the UGF.
Each riser has its own large Rena air pump if one fails I have no problem as the other two will do the job until I repair or replace the pump.

Air stones they were a stinker always blocking up until I discovered a screw together plastic air stone it NEVER wears out or clogs up. About every couple of months I take every them out screw it apart clean and put it back.

I have a very good air flow and water movement coming from the three risers.

It all comes down in knowing how to set it up corectly.

I remember too many years ago a LFS instructed me to turn down the air pressure so that a very fine bubble came out. I tried it for a very short time it was a very stupid bit of info to give to any one the UGF just was not working fully and correctly.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

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Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Time for me to chime in......

First off IMO a UGF should only be used in small tanks....nothing bigger than 10 gal. If you going to have a planted tank of any size they become problem as the roots of the plants block the slates and grow through them. However, if you do use them, powerheads are the way to go, as Fallout stated, but they don't have to be rev. flows, rev flows are nice but UFG are design to pull water thoiught the gravel creating a natural break down of stuff. Thats the filtration in the name. You would use the Rev Flow powerheads to blow out or clean the UFG every six months. This a filtration system, is not a plant designed system, if your worried about water flow for the plant roots get the low watttage coils you place under/in the gravel. The warming of the water creates a up draft of water thought the gravel. They are better for planted tanks. I have both currently in use and the coils are easier to maintain, there is no maintance to them just make sure they are on. UGF have a place and a lot of people like them, but a good rotation schedule for cleaning your tank will make for a healthy tank.

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams

Until I broke my UGF plates during my recent move, I never used any other type of filtration system. I had it in my 29 gal since I bought it in Feb 1992 and have always grown live plants. It was great; never a problem with keeping the tank clean or with poor plant growth. It was a cost issue that made me consider changing when I set up the tank again in October. And in the end the HOB was a gift, so that answered that for me.

I vote! Do you?

I replied as a general use and setting up a UGF. In my case I do not have any rooted plants and have no intention of putting any in. All my plants are Anubias and other than two growing on rocks the remainder are on drift wood.
I also run a Eheim Pro11 canister and I have found that the two systems run perfectly with each other.
It all come down to understanding the workings of a UGF and setting it up correctly, like any other appliance.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

hmmmm....
Seems that over the years the use of UGF's and the evolution of the R-F UGF's has stirred up some controversy in the realm of mechanical and biological filtration.... I am probably running the "text-book" worst case scenario imaginable, rev-flow UGF, DSB in a 46gal. with live rooted plants..and getting ready to do the FIRST clean-out under the UGF plates in 2 yrs.
My 2 cents worth.... it will depend greatly as to how your,or any tank, will be set up, and what its occupants will be, like a large number of the cichlids, for example, have this habbit of dozing the substrate all over, in this case a UGF probably not gonna be very effective...

J.

Wow iron. lol. and yes it seems to have kicked up some controversy. whenever i read about one in a book the authors all seem to have one of two opinions. A. Fallouts or AVOID IT ALL COSTS!!!!!!!!! B. they are sooooo fantastic!!!!!!!!!!

The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we dont know what to do.

That's why I made my little disclaimer, told ya.

yeah, thats the whole thing, where ever ya go, opinions and expierences will be from one extreme to the other, it does almost seem at times that a few who have tried to implement a UGF, has misconstrued the concept and for whatever reason fell short on the regular gravel vacs and cleanings, plugging up the slots in the UG plates, thus providing a virtual cesspool of anerobic nastiness.
So, now ya have a fairly good idea of how they work (or supposed to work)and what can go horribly wrong..lol

J.