Reverse undergravel filter fed by pump from sump

[MaiReef]

What does everyone think of this while using small gravel or glass balls instead of sand?
Paul B. may be on board...
Anyway I was thinking of doing this for a seahorse or jellyfish tank. My idea is that it would provide flow with great filtration including a skimmer and possibly a refugium in the sump with sponge protecting the return pump. The drain would be a synergy overflow with a sponge in front.

Keep in mind this is draining and returning through the ug filter very slowly. Maybe 100g per hour on a 40-60 gallon tank.

 

[Paul B]

Of course I think it would work.

 

[TbyZ]

best not get too attached to an idea, no matter how good it seems at the time.
You really need to consider what filtration is best for either jellies or horses, & see if the RFUGF fits in.

UGF will look after ammonia & nitrite, but do nothing for nitrate.

Keep in mind that jellies do not require highly oxygenated water with heavy gas exchange. Most jellyfish systems feature a slow moving current and rely on passive oxygenation. Mechanical filtration, including skimmers aren't recommended for jellies because it removes suspended food they need from the water. Copepods & other plankton type food you could cultivate in the gravel, that would also eat up detritus, is removed by skimming & floss. Pumping water from the sump to under an UGF, in this case, might not be the best design?

Sea horses on the otherhand need highly oxygenated water to survive because their gills are less efficient than common fish'. So a skimmer would be great for them.
A not too deep sand bed in a horses tank, with planted macro algae would create a suitable environment, be a great spot for plankton to breed & look after detritus & filter the water of phosphate & nitrogen.

 

[Ocean Lotion]

What does everyone think of this while using small gravel or glass balls instead of sand?
Paul B. may be on board...
Anyway I was thinking of doing this for a seahorse or jellyfish tank. My idea is that it would provide flow with great filtration including a skimmer and possibly a refugium in the sump with sponge protecting the return pump. The drain would be a synergy overflow with a sponge in front.

Keep in mind this is draining and returning through the ug filter very slowly. Maybe 100g per hour on a 40-60 gallon tank.

If going that route use a large filter and carbon canister and a high rate of flow. I used to set up a lot of these in the 80s and they work well as long as you still do good gravel vacuuming with your water changes. Sump and skimmer still hard to beat.