Resurrecting old RUGF

Trailermann · Jul 5, 2015

Yes I have had a 75 gallon acrylic tank with reverse underground filter (RUGF) and trickle filter sump since 1978. But unlike Paul B, it has been crated since 1983.

Now I am updating it and about to add water for cycling. The trickle filter has been replaced with a Bubble MAgus skimmer and filter socks in the sump. I have a Little Giant pump moving tank water through a Cobalt Aquatics E X T canister.

I selected Aragonite #1 substrate since it does not drop through my screening. How does this compare with dolomite? How frequently should I open and clean out the floss in the canister?

By the way, I am retaining the lava rock attached to the back and sides of the DT. My fingers are crossed that it does not leech out bad stuff.

saltyphish · Jul 5, 2015

bump.

Trailermann · Jul 8, 2015

I got a helpful reply from the one and only Paul B regarding this subject on another forum. Is this man the only one in the world using the RuGF? Have there been so many crashes using this that it is like poison to the reefing community?

reefwiser · Jul 8, 2015

I ran a RUGF back in the day was a common tank set up to keep the under gravel from plugging up. I used crushed coral substrate.Never had a problem. Lava rock I am not a fan of can contain metals that can leach into the system.

hart24601 · Jul 8, 2015

He might be the last one running a reef using a RuGF! I honestly think you can use one just fine, it was just discovered they are not required and when setting up new tanks people decided to not include them, but Paul's has been setup so long he still has one. There are lots of ways to have a great reef and I have no doubt you can have an amazing tank with or without one.