Under gravel filter to canister

[r.zanello]

I was thinking of building an under gravel manifold system out of PVC and attaching it directly to my Rena Xp3. I currently run an ac110 with double sponges for mechanical with rena on my 90 gallon. My though was I could use the gravel as a mechanical filter so this way I could completely fill the rena with bio-media.

What is everyone's thoughts.

 

[Gill Blue]

you can use the cannister, but they aren't meant to move water except for within the filter. you will get better flow with a powerhead. I haven't used a canister, but have used a whisper 5 HOB, but switched it to a powerhead.
an UGF pulls detritus down into the gravel, but it's main purpose is biological filtration. I run the UGF for bio and a HOB for fine particulate filtration.

 

[joe jaskot]

I hooked up an AC110 to a homemade undergravel filter in my 90. It worked good for many years. The intake fits right inside the PVC tubing.

 

[Jc1119]

Run it RUGF (reverse) and you'll see better results. All things considered an ac110 and an xp3 run traditionally should be more than enough.

 

[GoWoodMan]

I was having to clean a Fluval 306 every five days in my 55; the sponges were clogging and water flow cut to less than half.
Added a 406 and hooked both intakes to an undergravel filter that I added at the same time. Astounding improvement. The sponges stay clear because of the gravel pre-filtration; the flow stays constant; chemistry numbers stay perfect until a monthly cleaning, which I do mainly just for fun.