Filteration system?

Question

I have an undergravel filter and a powerhead sponge filter in my tank, could anyone suggest me some idea on modifying & altering the filteration system so that it works more efficiently?
Any idea on the position or setting or internal functioning, u can specify any link for detailed procedure with diagrams.

Answer 1

In your position I would probably just ditch the UG filter altogether. They work for a while, but in the long term are inneffcient and misleading.
The idea is to pull all the food and fish waste into the gravel where it can biodegrade. It's a good idea, but in reality, there is way too much matter to biodegrade. It just adds up. Kind of like throwing food scraps in your backyard - they would biodegrade, but not as fast as you would keep adding to the pile, and eventually it would just be rotten and digusting. Also, when the matter gets pulled down it can clog the gravel, causing toxic gasses to accumulate, which, when released, and kill all your fish in one fell swoop.

Your best, easiest option is to just get a Hang off the Back (HOB) filter. This (the sponge) actually removes larger particles and (the carbon bag) is an active biological filtration system which converts toxic ammonia into less toxic nitrates. The waterfall action increase oxygenation of the water.
You will still need to do weekly 20-30% water changes, and gravel vacs, to remove the nitrates, but your water will be cleaner.

You can use them both together, but they sort of counteract each other, with the HOB pulling everything upwards and the UG pulling everything downwards.

Keep the air pump in the UG filter and use it alone - it will increase oxygenation, water flow, and it looks nice - and get a HOB filter for your filtration system. Always get a filter for 20 gallons MORE than whatever your tank is.

Answer 2

When I had undergravel filters in my tanks, I would often add a regular filter box (waterfall) to it as well to help "polish" the water, make it clearer and cleaner. For the most part, I like and prefer the filter box that you hang in the back of the tank over undergravel filters. One thing that makes the undergravel filter more efficient is to be sure and clean the gravel every one or two weeks with a device often called a "gravel vacuum". It is a plastic tool that is used as a syphon. Making 10% to 20% water changes every week or two also helps. Merely stirring the gravel helps too, it will release the gases that get caught under the gravel. Some sources say that you can't grow natural (live) plants in an undergravel filter tank, but I have done it very successfully. Plants help the nitrate/nitrite cycle that takes place in the tank, so if you don't have any you might want to try adding some to your tank. One more thing. I had a friend who kept tanks, and he liked adding Powerheads into the uptakes instead of the airstones. I found when I tried it though, I had to clean the gravel more often. Also, you have to consider how many fish you have in a tank, what kind of fish they are, all those kinds of thngs factor into this. Good luck to you, main thing is to experiment experiment experiment until you get the results you are looking for. Might I suggest you see if you have an Aquarium Society Group in your area? I found one near me and it has been a wonderful source of freindship and knowlege and experience! I got to show my fish at their meetings, it was alot of fun!

Answer 3

For the efficiency with an UTG you want to reverse the power head. Have the powerhead suck through the sponge and shoot the water down the downtube and under the filter plate.

Answer 4

I like UGFs but you have to keep the gravel vacuumed well.
Consider adding powerheads on each UGF tube. Powerheads work great for moving water thru the gravel.
Adding a hang on the back filter will also help with particulates.

Answer 5

your under gravel filter put power head on top of it

Answer 6

splurge on a canister filter. it saves time and money in the long run.

Answer 7

our kidney