Migrating from undergravel to external filter

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Mike Wood - 26 Mar 2006 11:40 GMT

I'm migrating an old tank that currently uses an undergravel filter to
an external filter. I've had the two running in parallel for about 6
weeks now and am planning to switch off the undergravel filter shortly.

Is leaving the old plate under the gravel likely to cause any problems?
I imagine the water in the gap won't circulate much and so could get
anaerobic.

Mike.

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Roger Sleet - 27 Mar 2006 14:04 GMT

> *From:* Mike Wood <woodm@blueyonder.co.uk>
> *Date:* Sun, 26 Mar 2006 10:40:02 GMT
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> I imagine the water in the gap won't circulate much and so could get
> anaerobic.

I've not had problems. Yes the space will become anaerobic, as will the
lower regions of the gravel if it is the sort of depth you should be using
on UG. Might form quite a useful de-nitrification area.

If you are worried then leave the UG uplift in place and syphon at least
some of the water out that way when you do your water change. That will
at least prevent the build up of anything nasty.

Roger Sleet
Roger's Aquatic Pages http://www.sleet.plus.com

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Mike Wood - 28 Mar 2006 15:40 GMT

> > *From:* Mike Wood <woodm@blueyonder.co.uk>
> > *Date:* Sun, 26 Mar 2006 10:40:02 GMT
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> Roger Sleet
> Roger's Aquatic Pages http://www.sleet.plus.com

Thank's for that, I hadn't thought about using the uplift. I was going
to take it out, but it's quite well hidden, so I'll leave it in use it
for some of the water change.

Mike.

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Sue - 29 Mar 2006 18:55 GMT

You can reverse flow the undergravel by putting the outflow from the
canister down the uplift pipe - seal the pipe with rubber bands.

This will give one of the best filtration systems and won't cause any
spikes.

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Pet Forum / Aquaria / General / March 2006

Migrating from undergravel to external filter