REVERSE FLOW UNDERGRAVEL FILTERS????? HELP PLEASE!!!!!!

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doubledragon

The House Of Endlie
MFK Member
Nov 19, 2006
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ohio
I have decided to go bare bottom on some of my tank's, and reverseflow on some others... The ones I want to go reverse flow with are chichlids and other fish that just look good with gravel.... I don't like the idea of gravel with out undergravel filters and am wondering about reverse flow...

My question is will the reverse flow eliminate gravel cleaning or atleast stop a majority of the waste from collecting in the gravel..... I will be using powerheads for max. flow rate.

Any goods and bad's you can think of for using reverse flow will help me greatly. Thank's in advance....
 
I am going to be switching my tank over to this too so I'm going to jump on so I can keep an eye on this.
 
I just set up my tank with RUGF covered with quilt batting attached to the plates, under the gravel. I agree with the theory behind this setup, but maybe I will have problems. I have digging cichlids that expose the batting. This makes a path with little water resistence and therefore reduced flow/dead spots(?) under some parts of the filter plates. If you do this, maybe put in so much gravel that they won't dig as far as mine do. Just an idea.
 
I used reverse flow in my angel tank for several months. Two big issues I was having was that the power heads I was using seemed undersized to do anything and I couldn't keep the fish from getting their fins sucked into it. After running it for 2 months with normal flow, I have to admit I haven't seen any major advantage to running reverse.
 
RFUG plates will definatly help out with keeping your substrait clear of debris. Yes it will cut down on gravel vacuuming to a huge extent. You don't need any batting or anything else. This will only disrupt the flow and eventually clog the plates. Run a cannister or HOB unit to boost the mechanical filtration.
 
actully they are directing the flow from the powerhead and acting as a ductwork...this creates a positive pressure under the substrait and that keeps the debris in suspension. In fact you dont really need a huge powerhead to do it. You SHOULD try to use a long enough tube that the powerhead picks up water about 4" below the serface of the water for the best circulation. You want to lift debris...NOT the gravil...

A pre filter on the powerhead is also recomended.
 
duke33;1303372; said:
Good to see ya back DD
Click to expand...

Thank's I never really went anywhere just don't have much time to jump online these days (only a couple of times a week). I like the the tsn in your avitar, I bet he's fun to watch.
 
Wolf3101;1307778; said:
actully they are directing the flow from the powerhead and acting as a ductwork...this creates a positive pressure under the substrait and that keeps the debris in suspension. In fact you dont really need a huge powerhead to do it. You SHOULD try to use a long enough tube that the powerhead picks up water about 4" below the serface of the water for the best circulation. You want to lift debris...NOT the gravil...

A pre filter on the powerhead is also recomended.
Click to expand...


Thank's I was going to by the reverse flow kits to put on the powerheads and run hob's also. I'm just so tired of the crap that builds up under my plates and the tank's are getting redone sometime soon, so this time I want to do it right and to my best advantage.
You said about 4" below the surface so they don't try to suck air right? Thank's for the tip.... any more???:)
 
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