Flex tubing for reverse undergravel filter

[Metasyntactic]

I'm currently planning out a 220 (72"x30"x24") gallon tank and, after discussing filtration techniques with a friend who works at a local aquarium, I've talked into trying a reverse undergravel filter. Apparently they pump water out through the gravel to push detritus out of the gravel bed and into the water column to minimize the cleaning needed. My issue is, I want to incorporate some heavy rockwork into my aquarium that I'd prefer not to mount on top of a filter plate. I'd like to implement something flexible that can be worked around rockwork and also easily removed.

I've been looking at rubber bubble curtain diffuser tubes. They're these flexible rubber tubes with holes poked out along their length. I had thought to connect my outlet to a manifold and feed it out to numerous buried tubes but I have concern about the tubes creating head pressure against the 2200 GPH flow I have planned.

I'm wondering if the concern is justified? Can I minimize the head pressure (maybe by poking more holes in the tube)? Finally, is there a product that already exists that would better fit my application?

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[OriginalUserName]

I'm currently planning out a 220 (72"x30"x24") gallon tank and, after discussing filtration techniques with a friend who works at a local aquarium, I've talked into trying a reverse undergravel filter. Apparently they pump water out through the gravel to push detritus out of the gravel bed and into the water column to minimize the cleaning needed. My issue is, I want to incorporate some heavy rockwork into my aquarium that I'd prefer not to mount on top of a filter plate. I'd like to implement something flexible that can be worked around rockwork and also easily removed.

I've been looking at rubber bubble curtain diffuser tubes. They're these flexible rubber tubes with holes poked out along their length. I had thought to connect my outlet to a manifold and feed it out to numerous buried tubes but I have concern about the tubes creating head pressure against the 2200 GPH flow I have planned.

I'm wondering if the concern is justified? Can I minimize the head pressure (maybe by poking more holes in the tube)? Finally, is there a product that already exists that would better fit my application?

I'd be worried about those tubes kinking or being snapped in half over time. IIRC they aren't very sturdy.

What about using narrow PVC (lots of drilling) or the dripper hose used in landscape irrigation? https://www.homedepot.com/p/DIG-1-2-in-0-700-O-D-x-100-ft-Poly-Drip-Tubing-B36/202306118

 

[Florida Sunshine]

Maybe the reverse undergravel filter king has some suggestions. Where is PaulB when you need him? Unfortunately I think he may be moving his tank. Hopefully he will check in soon.

 

[Paul B]

Your tube with holes in it will not work well. A properly built undergravel filter has slots in it and the slots are larger the farther away from the tube you get. (slots also will not clog, holes will clog rather fast) They do that so all the water doesn't get pushed up right near the tubes and gets routed evenly through the gravel. The Idea of a reverse UG filter is not to push any detritus as it won't do that anyway no matter how much flow you have. The purpose is to have an oxygenated gravel bed all the way to the bottom of the tank. Your tubes will have no circulation under and in between the pipes. I have tried different configurations of that idea and it doesn't work, but feel free to try.

 

[cloak]

What's the difference between a hole and a slot? (a line in the plastic as opposed to a circle?) Whatever might be clogging the hole, I don't think it will discriminate when it comes down to slots. I'd pass on the whole RUGF altogether, but that's just me.

On a side note; if you do take down your tank Paul I would love to see the underside of that filter plate.

 

[Paul B]

The round holes quickly get clogged by shells of amphipods or even pieces of gravel which are kind of the same shape. The slots in mine are not clogged yet. It is much harder to clog a slot than a hole as the slots are about 2" long. Of course anything can clog but a hole will clog very fast. I have holes in my strainers for my powerheads and I have to remove them all the time to unclog them.

If I remember I will take pictures under the filter. I think I will find really big bristle worms amongst the thick mud. I know I lifted the plates once but I don't remember when.

 

[cloak]

Yeah, make sure you do take pictures of the underside of that RUGF. I think we would all like to see those slots unclogged.

 

[Paul B]

I would like to see it to.

 

[Lasse]

I have experiences with this too and I´m fully supporting Paul B´s thoughts in this matter - and the slots will not be clogged! After 1.5 years running time I was forced to redo my remote under gravel filter with reversed flow (or I prefer to name it remote deep sand bed with reversed flow - but it has the same principles as Paul B:s construction but I want some of it to be anaerobic) No clogging and I have pumped down skimate to that plenum! Chose a plate with a lot of reinforcements - like the EHEIM under gravel plate

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Paul B]

Holding my reverse UG filter is my Son N Law. The lower parts of my gravel was all mud. But the underside was fairly free of anything except tube worms. When the plate was lifted, all the mud just fell off leaving an almost new looking filter with no clogged slots.