Filteration system - Undergravel filters

[SniperY]

Undergravel filters are virtually maintenance-free for long periods of time. *They depend on water being drawn from underneath a filter plate, either w/ an airlift tube consisting of a vertical tube into which air bubbles are released via an airstone, or with the use of a powerhead. *The aquarium's water is drawn down into the gravel bed, which not only filters the water mechanically but allows bacteria buildup in the gravel that is essential to the aquarium's well-being. *The bacteria will break down and nitrify the waste material.

[SniperY]

Powerheads are used to provide a constant steady flow of water through the undergravel bed with aeration and surface agitation. You can purchase a reverse-flow powerhead to push the water back down the vertical tube and send the water upwards through the gravel.

[SniperY]

Outside Filters provide mechanical filtation by removing and filtering waste from the water. They usually do this by replaceable filter media such as carbon or floss or cartridges that you buy already containing the necessary items. *Many of them have extra media containers for adding extra carbon or etc.

[joelwong]

Undergravel filters are virtually maintenance-free for long periods of time. *They depend on water being drawn from underneath a filter plate, either w/ an airlift tube consisting of a vertical tube into which air bubbles are released via an airstone, or with the use of a powerhead. *The aquarium's water is drawn down into the gravel bed, which not only filters the water mechanically but allows bacteria buildup in the gravel that is essential to the aquarium's well-being. *The bacteria will break down and nitrify the waste material.Seems like getting less and less popular already, while alot of books say it's the best kind of filtration system around.

[SniperY]

Seems like getting less and less popular already, while alot of books say it's the best kind of filtration system around.Personally i dont in favor of using the Under-gravel filteration system. You imagine, after 1 month when you want to clean the system, when u lift up the plastic plate, you will be faint. All the poo-poo and left over foods will be trap inside and below it, so messy.

[afterDark]

UGF will be good if using deep sand filtration it removes nitrate better than any other. However still need to lightly vacuum gravel regularly just to prolong maintenance frequency.