Undergravel filtration for planted tank.

[Cheesetian]

I have a 15g and was wondering whether if i decided to carpet the entire tank with HC, would my undergravel filtration still work at all?

Thanks in advance.

 

[aclockworkorange]

It's best not to run UG on planted tanks, but if the UG filter has a good layer of substrate on top of it, it will still work.

 

[Cheesetian]

It's best not to run UG on planted tanks, but if the UG filter has a good layer of substrate on top of it, it will still work.

So you wouldn't advise it huh?

 

[Brian_Indiana]

I do not have any experience with planted tanks, but UG filters get a pretty bad rap on here. I have see posters flame on tanks just b/c it had a UG. Personally, I like UG filters and use them w/powerheads when I use gravel except in my corner-flo. I have always had good luck with them as a supplement to HOB and canister filters.

Just b/c it is old technology, doesn't necessarily mean it is junk.

 

[Cheesetian]

I do not have any experience with planted tanks, but UG filters get a pretty bad rap on here. I have see posters flame on tanks just b/c it had a UG. Personally, I like UG filters and use them w/powerheads when I use gravel except in my corner-flo. I have always had good luck with them as a supplement to HOB and canister filters.

Just b/c it is old technology, doesn't necessarily mean it is junk.

Yea, i run UG with my HOB on the 15g. Keeps the water crystal clear. Don't really care what people say. Keep rockin' on dude. Thanks <:

 

[gt1009]

I personally don't like UG filters. However, I do love the idea of a reverse under gravel. But with both of them I wouldn't do a planted tank. Too much water moving around in the substrate messing with my plants. With a reverse under gravel filter, you don't have the issues of waste getting trapped, but you do get the awesome bio filtration.

 

[Cheesetian]

I personally don't like UG filters. However, I do love the idea of a reverse under gravel. But with both of them I wouldn't do a planted tank. Too much water moving around in the substrate messing with my plants. With a reverse under gravel filter, you don't have the issues of waste getting trapped, but you do get the awesome bio filtration.

What's a reverse UG?

 

[Brian_Indiana]

Yea, i run UG with my HOB on the 15g. Keeps the water crystal clear. Don't really care what people say. Keep rockin' on dude. Thanks <:

Right on!

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

What's a reverse UG?

Basically a similar setup like a normal UG. But with the flow of the water reversed.

So instead of water being suck through the gravel, trapping all the waste in it, Water is now blown from below and up through the gravel, keeping all the waste suspended in water column.

Hence it would be effective to add another filter like a HOB to catch those floating waste.

 

[Cheesetian]

Basically a similar setup like a normal UG. But with the flow of the water reversed.

So instead of water being suck through the gravel, trapping all the waste in it, Water is now blown from below and up through the gravel, keeping all the waste suspended in water column.

Hence it would be effective to add another filter like a HOB to catch those floating waste.

Cool. Thanks!