RUGF with sand?

[fenton06]

I am in the planning stages of a tank build and I want to build a RUGF being fed by the output from my sump. I am planning on having black sand as substrate. I am planning on purchasing a Fuhaka puffer and I think 2" of sand so he could burrow and not hit the rugf would be enough, or would I need more? Any suggestions/thought are welcome, I just HATE gravel/sand vac'ing! I don't mind other aquarium upkeep but for some reason I hate vacuuming sand/gravel.

I saw Chompers rugf for his 300 gal which is what I am basing this design on. Thanks!

 

[dravesef]

i'm still new what does rugf stand for?

 

[cockroach]

RUGF= Reverse underground filter.

I don't think it works well with sand as the spaces between the substrate are not large enough to allow for easy flow.

Why not make a burrowing area with sand to one side and do the rest of the tank with larger sized substrate.

Just my 2c

 

[dravesef]

thanks for the info of rugf and good luck

 

[COLDasICE]

I heard theres a way to do it, but it just sounds messy to me

 

[fenton06]

I heard theres a way to do it, but it just sounds messy to me

Messy?

 

[necrocanis]

I would think that the sand would get pushed into little triangles between the flow spaces. Might work with a larger dia sand grain.

 

[fenton06]

does anyone know if puffers would prefer gravel or sand? I'll make a thread in the puffer section...

 

[Dragonflyx2]

Iv'e seen them made from PVC with the holes on the bottom so the sand can't plug the holes. not sure how well it worked but I sounds like it would make a big fluidized bed filter right in the tank!

 

[zennzzo]

Iv'e seen them made from PVC with the holes on the bottom so the sand can't plug the holes. not sure how well it worked but I sounds like it would make a big fluidized bed filter right in the tank!

Having a sand substrate I would have to say RUGF would work just a well as a UGF, with sand, it won't...IMO