Table of Contents
Do you need an air pump for an undergravel filter?
Place your assembled undergravel filter plates on the clean, bare bottom of the aquarium. If your tank is already set up it is a good idea to do a thorough vacuum and water change. You will need an air pump and airline tubing to run the airstones in the filter.
How does an undergravel filter work with a powerhead?
The undergravel filter plate is covered with aquarium gravel. The aquarium water is drawn up the lift tube along with bubbles from an air stone at the bottom or by a small motor, called a powerhead, at the top. This pulls water from under the plate, which in turn draws water down through the gravel.
How do I increase water flow in my aquarium?
Improve the water circulation by adding a powerhead. Position the powerhead so it pumps water from the back of the tank and hits the front glass. This will complement the water flow pattern of the filter. This technique flushes every corner of the tank with water and helps keep the aquarium clean.
How much gravel do I need for an undergravel filter?
If the gravel size is too small, or if you add sand to it, it will drop down and clog the slits, restricting the flow of water through the filter bed. As a general rule of thumb allow about 10lb of gravel per sq ft or roughly 45 kg per m2.
What are the benefits of an under gravel filter?
Undergravels don’t do a great job at removing debris (mechanical filtration) or purifying the water (chemical filtration), and their main benefit is to draw debris into the substrate where they break down biologically.
How do you reduce the flow of a powerhead?
Yup, try finding a sponge made for a powerhead, or get a sponge block and cut it out for the inlet side of your powerhead, and then use a rubber band or zip tie to secure it on there. That should held reduce some flow.
How do you make a filter less powerful?
One of the easiest and cost effective ways of reducing the filter strength is to buy a pre filter sponge or something similar. Once you have a pre filter sponge all you have to do is wrap it around the nozzle of your filter and it will slow the flow.