Undergravel Filters - How to clean up the dirt below the plates?

P

PTGOLDFISH

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Mar 14, 2005
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I know this is open debate for those that are in favor of this undergravel filter, but how do you clean up the dirt/debris that got trapped below the undergravel plates?

My stand for the fish tank has a rectangular opening where i can see the bottom of the tank's center part . I have my undergravel for multiple months already and i do suck up the debris from the gravel bi-weekly. however, it is not able to pick up the dirt below the plates. Would it be a health hazard to the fish down the line?
 
how big is your tank and how long have you had the UGF in place?
 
When I used ug filters, I would move the gravel away from the lift tube base, take off the lift tubes, and work a siphon hose down undewrneath the plate.
 
Do you own a Diatom Earth filter?
Does the UGF cover the entire bottom of the tank?

If you answered yes to the first question and no to the second, I have a easier way to clean up.
 
My tank is 70 Gal and the UGF covers most of the bottom the tank. I only have a few goldfish there now. Oh, the UGF uses air pump to operate (i guess i should invest in a power head). The only thing i can think of is to take out the entire plate from time to time. This will require a lot of work.

If there is an outlet on the bottom of the tank then the UGF would be a perfect solution. It will clear all the debris from below the plates and provides easy water changes.....(i am dreaming of course).
 
PT, go Reverse Flow UGF. That is, the water gets filtered and then gets pumped under the plates, then up through the gravel. The gravel stays much, much cleaner, and stays quite clean under the plate as well.
 
A 1/4 inch airline tube makes a good UGF under plate vaccum. just send it through the lift tube hole as mentioned above. I used to do this once a year sometimes twice. With reverse flow this is of course never an issue, because nothing ever gets under the plates.
Dave
 
Thanks for the helpful information. Especiallly the part about the Reverse UGF which MAKES a lot of sense. So are there any manufacturers out there that make this combination filter? (combination of external/canister filter working in conjuction with the reverse UGF).

I am moving a Fluval 404 canister to this tank. I guess i will have to figure out a way to feed it through the UGF tube to get this working.
 
what is a Diatom Earth filter ??? im new to this UGF too. I was trying to vacumn the crap from the bottom of the tank.. sometimes bi-weekly and my water still looks like theres alot of crap in it... And how to i do a reverse flow power head? the air pump / power head i use only have hi/low option..


please help. thanks! :read:
 
Something for everyone to consider and think about. Conventinal UGF's can and do trap mulm very well. some of that mulm will end up under the plates. The concern or hazard with Conventional UGF only comes if that mulm is in quantities heavy enough to block flow to an area. Once flow is blocked, then over time that area becomes dangerous, and if it is a large area at all it will cause problems in the tank.
For those using UGF if you can see the bottom of the tank, take a flashlight and see if the area if filled up completely or just has a thin layer of mulm on the glass.
Each time you vaccum the gravel you will be mildly modicfying flow under the plates. By loosening, and technically re-arranging the substrate with your vaccum you are changing the flow pattern. With light mulm this creates a canstant migration of mulm under the plates which will keep them from filling or plugging. If you happen to have an area that chronically collects Mulm then either the decor above that spot needs moved, or you will have to pay attention and vaccum that area with the above mentioned method once or twice a year.
In Conventional set-up you will always have some mulm moving about under the plates.

Whether using conventional or RFUG set-ups I find powerheads to be a distinct advantage. I also like high flow in my filters but have not run them this way long enough to get a real idea of whether they do better this way or not.
Dave
 
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