Under Gravel filter

[zalick]

no i had some crummy lime wood airstone skimmer.....no not that

Instant Ocean SeaClone Protein Skimmer, External Hang-On or In-Sump everbody got suckered in to buying and wouldnt admit they stunk​

But man what a cool name right? Seaclone, not cyclone, get it? They were so clever. And it looked so cool too! And yes, I admit I had one. And yes it stunk.

 

[Tcook]

I used one in my first saltwater tank in the early 80's. A 35 gallon Tru Vu running reverse undergravel with Rena plates and dolomite substrate. Had a 1/2" elbow surface skimmer. State of the art

 

[Hot2na]

Try using it...letting it run as usual for a few weeks...then plug the tubes and let it turn into a jaubert style nitrate reducing machine...j

 

[zalick]

Try using it...letting it run as usual for a few weeks...then plug the tubes and let it turn into a jaubert style nitrate reducing machine...j

Now that sounds like a true religion right there.

 

[Jekyl]

I have a 650gph pump feeding 2 plates so roughly 325gph going to each. I don't have any issue with my tank being a nitrate factory.

 

[Unregistered1]

I have a 650gph pump feeding 2 plates so roughly 325gph going to each. I don't have any issue with my tank being a nitrate factory.

It works fine as you say. Most people just repeat things they hear but have no first hand knowledge...Polly want a cracker kaw kaw kaw kaw

 

[Unregistered1]

Crushed coral is still the main substrate used in reef tanks. Not sure what joke is about.

I used UGFs back in the day. They kept FO tanks crystal clear. At a cost.

The problem with them is they are massive nitrate factories. They pull deitrus into your substrate and then help it decay by putting a flow of water through it. Instant nitrate. Running in reverse doesn't help unless you can filter deitrus first. I used to save the water in FW tanks because the nitrate levels made it fantastic fertilizer for plants

Filter sponges are used now mainly with FO. By keeping them clean you greatly reduce the nitrate issue. Ironically airstone driven UFGs moved less water than power heads and had fewer issues.

Don't all tanks have nitrates? Don't corals need nitrates.....I mean i don't know

 

[Hot2na]

Now that sounds like a true religion right there.

it works. just use around 4" of medium grade aragonite..

 

[zalick]

it works. just use around 4" of medium grade aragonite..

I was trying to be clever with your username and the song True Religion by Hot Tuna.

 

[Paul B]

I'm still using one. And a Vortex diatom filter.

 

[Unregistered1]

I'm still using one. And a Vortex diatom filter.

Oh man , can i borrow you vortex for a week i sure misss that polished water look those things did.

 

[Unregistered1]

I'm still using one. And a Vortex diatom filter.

Magnum tried to compete with that filter with there micron filter insert but was no comparison

 

[Larry J]

If you use some sort of substrate in your tanks, logic says that water movement through (in or out) of the substrate should improve filtration along with beneficial bacteria. Its critical to assist the efficacy of the filter by periodically siphoning detritus out...whether you have a filter in place or not. How effective the filter is really a maintenance issue by the owner.

With all that said, I make and use one out of PVC tubing sized for one of my QT tanks. I've also made one for my DT that will be on a Build Thread in near term. Yes, its a throwback to my ownership of a freshwater aquarium store in the 80' when saltwater was in its infancy, at least in
Colorado. Certainly Old School, but it's something that was successful for me. Salt creep can become an issue but I like that UGF's powered by an air stone helps oxygen absorption in all tanks whereas tank manufacturers accomplish this by making tanks deep and wide.

 

[Tcook]

Oh man , can i borrow you vortex for a week i sure misss that polished water look those things did.

I always think of that filter when I change the DE in my pool filter.

 

[Jekyl]

@Paul B Do you think our setups are scalable? I'm in the early stages of planning a 300g. The plates I have found won't fit right. I'd have to DIY some. With the success I've had with the 90 I'd like to at least consider the option. I worry about the flow rate.

 

[Unregistered1]

I always think of that filter when I change the DE in my pool filter.

Yes , its the same powder.... diatomaceous earth. It works good

 

[Unregistered1]

@Paul B Do you think our setups are scalable? I'm in the early stages of planning a 300g. The plates I have found won't fit right. I'd have to DIY some. With the success I've had with the 90 I'd like to at least consider the option. I worry about the flow rate.

I saw some somewhere recently that had as many plates as you wanted to order...Ebay or Amazon i think it was. I dont see why you couldnt scale it up as long as you the pumps to handle it

 

[Jekyl]

I saw some somewhere recently that had as many plates as you wanted to order...Ebay or Amazon i think it was. I dont see why you couldnt scale it up as long as you the pumps to handle it

I can get plenty of plates. However they are generally made smaller than what I would need. I'm planning a 96x30x30 which is really 386 gallons. The plates are usually only for 55gal and smaller. I would be short as far as width goes. They're made for 18 wide, not 30.

 

[snorklr]

way back when you used flourescent light eggcrate grid on short pvc pipe legs with plastic window screen over that...pvc pipes glued into that for water inputs....ala martin moe

 

[Unregistered1]

I can get plenty of plates. However they are generally made smaller than what I would need. I'm planning a 96x30x30 which is really 386 gallons. The plates are usually only for 55gal and smaller. I would be short as far as width goes. They're made for 18 wide, not 30.

Oh i see whats your saying