I want to run a reverse under gravel filter on my 250g. i also want to use sand. are the two compatible or would sand just get everywhere?
Reverse UGF with a sand bed?
- Thread starter vietmanx
- Start date
all the advice I've ever seen says that UGF and sand do not go well together, but I've never tried it . . . I believe the main problem is that the grains of sand are too small and too compacted to let the UGF work properly
vietmanx;3356701; said:
Reverse Under Gravel Filter means...
Setting up a UGF as normal... but instead of having the powerhead sucking water up the standpipe... have it blowing water down into the stand pipe...
In theory this blows water up through the sand preventing compaction, preventing gaseous pockets from developing and creating an upward draft through the sand preventing waste/debris from settling...
The complication when we transfer that concept into practical reality is, water seeks the path of least resistance... This means that the current will be much stronger near the standpipes than out in the middle of the tank... it also means that the current will be much stronger in areas with shallow sand as opposed to deeper sand... it also means if the Cichlids dig down to the UGF plate all of the current will escape through that area.
I set one up once a few years ago when I first heard of the idea with parts I had laying around... I quickly realized it was only practical in theory and gave up on it...
I'm sure there are some times / set ups when it would work more practically... but I suspect they are few and far between...