I need a good undergravel air pump?

Question

I have a under gravel filter as well as the one that hangs on the tank. I have tried several different air pumps to power the under gravel filter. However none of them seem to be powerful enough to get the job done. Of course there are a few bubbles the go through but no wheres near enough to do any filtering. What do you guys use? Please recommend a pump that will be powerful enough to get the job done.

Answer 1

If you're looking for power, look at the Tetratec Deep filters in this link: http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/14306/product.web

These are made specifically for larger and deeper tanks where extra power is required for moving air down against the extra water pressure.

Rather than buying these online, find one at a local store, or have them special-order the size you need - this will save you on shipping.

As a side note, if you want to get the maximum filtration from your UGF, get a powerhead instead. These circulate far more water through the gravel, so you get better biological filtration. If you have a large enough tank, buy one the has a "reverse flow" feature (this isn't generally available in smaller powerheads). By reversing the water flow and blowing the debris up through the gravel instead of pulling it down, it eliminates debris from building up beneath the UG plate so you don'y have to pull it up to clean underneath. Less debris also prevents "dead" spots where the conditions can become anaerobic and hydrogen sulfide gas can build up.

NOTE: As opposed to what the first answer says, by pushing the debis up where it can float in the water, rather than sit under the filter plate, it makes it easier for your regular filter to remove these particles from the water. If the particles are heavy enough that they don't circulate in the water, neither filter "removes" them. At least with the reverse flow, the debris stays at the top layer of gravel so it can be seen and removed using a siphon.

Answer 2

I am not sure if this is what you are saying, but do you have an air pump hooked up to push bubbles through the undergravel filter, so the bubbles come out from the bottom and rise up? This is NOT how an UGF works. You need a powerhead designed for the UGF, and this sucks water DOWN through the gravel into the filter, which is how the filter works. If you push anything through the filter, UP through the gravel, you are stiring up the gunk that sits on the gravel, pushing it back into the tank water, which is the opposite of what a filter is supposed to do. If you have an external power filter on the tank already, and it is rated for at least as many gallons as your tank holds, I would get rid of the UGF, as they generally are not worth the effort.

Answer 3

10 gallon is tremendously small, so between the smaller rated at 10-20 gallon, yet no longer smallest pumps will paintings, you ought to use 2 of the tubes if it comes with 2. yet accept as true with different post, a draw close on lower back is a greater physically powerful use of you funds. get an AquaClear rated for 20gallon tanks. till you propose on elevating fry, inwhich case a sponge clear out and no gravel interior the tank is larger.

Answer 4

Seems you are seeking a powerful airpump to run your undergravel filter. Why not try Tetra or Hagen pumps, they are the best..and you can also try airtech..

Here is the link to all of them
http://j.tonn.tripod.com/aqphrena.html