Under gravel jets??

[pctechie]

I hope this is the right place to post this question.

I am in the design phase of my new acrylic tank build. The tank is going to be 75" long x 24" wide x 20" tall.

Anyway I have been thinking about building an under gravel jet for the new tank and I was wondering if anyone here has had any experience with doing this, and if so is this a good idea or is it just a waste of time?

 

[wcc963]

i would like to know the same... any info/pics or experience would be great

 

[Egon]

I set up under gravel jets about 6 years ago in my 360 (four foot deep tank) and had them running for about 2 years. When I moved I removed this system. I didn't like them.
My system was run with canister filters so I didn't have the potential syphon issues a sump system could have. The canister filters pushed water around the lower areas and the sump/overflow kept the upper areas clean.
Dislikes: No one told the fish to not move the sand/gravel around. Eventually the jets and pvc plumbing would show and I couldn't stand the look of pvc showing or the jets would get covered and blow fountains of sand everywhere which would slide back down to the jets again and just get blown back for a never ending cycle.


New set up has some bubblers in the back, this mixes the lower water with the upper water. Also my canister points up pushing the lower water to the surface and the intake is just above the gravel sucking up poo on the bottom.

 

[pctechie]

I set up under gravel jets about 6 years ago in my 360 (four foot deep tank) and had them running for about 2 years. When I moved I removed this system. I didn't like them.
My system was run with canister filters so I didn't have the potential syphon issues a sump system could have. The canister filters pushed water around the lower areas and the sump/overflow kept the upper areas clean.
Dislikes: No one told the fish to not move the sand/gravel around. Eventually the jets and pvc plumbing would show and I couldn't stand the look of pvc showing or the jets would get covered and blow fountains of sand everywhere which would slide back down to the jets again and just get blown back for a never ending cycle.


New set up has some bubblers in the back, this mixes the lower water with the upper water. Also my canister points up pushing the lower water to the surface and the intake is just above the gravel sucking up poo on the bottom.

Well it sounds like I need to steer away from under gravel jets. Thanks for the information!

 

[wcc963]

what about a low flow rate and gravel instead of sand? the gravel wouldn't be so easy to "fountain" and with good coverage it could keep the gravel cleaner reducing the amount of time spent vacuming... powered by a small powerhead or inexpensive submersible pump?

 

[Egon]

what about a low flow rate and gravel instead of sand? the gravel wouldn't be so easy to "fountain" and with good coverage it could keep the gravel cleaner reducing the amount of time spent vacuming... powered by a small powerhead or inexpensive submersible pump?

Yeah with a variable speed pump or a valve to redirect flow or something. I think it could work. Still the fish are going to dig up the gravel and expose the plumbing, I guess it depends on the stocking....