CJs Aquatics Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Hey all, was servicing an aquarium that uses an undergravel filter, and had some extra materials present. I cut a strip of poly filter to place in one of the uptake tubes. I figure this might give me an idea of what’s going on in the aquarium at an easy glance. Perhaps the water quality immediately upon being filtered through the substrate. I just thought I would share but would love to hear your thoughts… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSwissAquarist Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 What kind of fish is the one behind the tube? It's enormous!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd Duck Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 On 10/26/2022 at 2:17 PM, CJs Aquatics said: Hey all, was servicing an aquarium that uses an undergravel filter, and had some extra materials present. I cut a strip of poly filter to place in one of the uptake tubes. I figure this might give me an idea of what’s going on in the aquarium at an easy glance. Perhaps the water quality immediately upon being filtered through the substrate. I just thought I would share but would love to hear your thoughts… I would hope that you should see very minimal debris on the underside of the floss or the filtration isn’t doing what it should. I would also worry that putting floss in there could inhibit water flow through the gravel/biofiltration. Have you dropped the water level to just below the outflow of the uplift tubes to see how much water flows with and without the floss? If it slows the water flow, I wouldn’t leave it in there for long. A few days to see if gunk gets in the floss, sure, but make sure there’s still water flowing through OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJs Aquatics Posted October 27, 2022 Author Share Posted October 27, 2022 @TheSwissAquarist weather loach or “dojo loach” @Odd Duck thank you for the advice, I haven’t dropped the water level but so far the flow seemed ok and there isn’t any gunk on the underside. That’s that floss that changes colors based on what it takes out of your water, my idea was more of a warning then a filter…It actually is registering that somehow there is aluminum in my water bc it turned bright red, which I’ve never encountered before so this odd experiment just got even more odd… is the water supposed to be at a different level? I will admit I haven’t read up on undergravel filters in years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSwissAquarist Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 On 10/27/2022 at 5:39 PM, CJs Aquatics said: weather loach or “dojo loach” Must have been the zoom! I was betting on an arowana or a snakehead 😂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJs Aquatics Posted October 27, 2022 Author Share Posted October 27, 2022 @TheSwissAquarist lol I wish, no just real large dojos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd Duck Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 (edited) On 10/27/2022 at 10:39 AM, CJs Aquatics said: @TheSwissAquarist weather loach or “dojo loach” @Odd Duck thank you for the advice, I haven’t dropped the water level but so far the flow seemed ok and there isn’t any gunk on the underside. That’s that floss that changes colors based on what it takes out of your water, my idea was more of a warning then a filter…It actually is registering that somehow there is aluminum in my water bc it turned bright red, which I’ve never encountered before so this odd experiment just got even more odd… is the water supposed to be at a different level? I will admit I haven’t read up on undergravel filters in years No, the water doesn’t need to be low, it’s just a way to assess if your floss is slowing flow enough to be a problem. When the water level drops during a water change, you can still see the water flowing out the tops of the tubes even when the water level is below the tops of the tubes. Or at least you should still see some flowing over the tops when the water level is a bit below the tops. How far below the tops of the tubes the water level is when water is still flowing gives you an idea of how much lift you’re getting. I have one style of sponge filter that will still get lift with the water level over 2” below the outflow tube. It’s the style with a fairly skinny outflow tube and no way to attach an airstone. I should have a pic of the style. Usually an UGF has wide tubes for more overall flow but less “focused” lift. It won’t lift as high but still has more overall water flow through the filter if you were to measure the volume. Pic of the one with good “lift” even if it doesn’t have a high flow rate. Edited October 28, 2022 by Odd Duck 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSwissAquarist Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 On 10/28/2022 at 3:38 PM, Odd Duck said: No, it’s just a way to assess if your floss is slowing flow enough to be a problem. When the water level drops during a water change, you can still see the water flowing out the tops of the tubes even when the water level is below the tops of the tubes. Or at least you should still see some flowing over the tops when the water level is a bit below the tops. How far below the tops of the tubes the water level is when water is still flowing gives you an idea of how much lift you’re getting. I have one style of sponge filter that will still get lift with the water level over 2” below the outflow tube. It’s the style with a fairly skinny outflow tube and no way to attach an airstone. I should have a pic of the style. Usually an UGF has wide tubes for more overall flow but less “focused” lift. It won’t lift as high but still has more overall water flow through the filter if you were to measure the volume. Pic of the one with good “lift” even if it doesn’t have a high flow rate. Sorry, this may be a different subject @Odd Duck, but have you seen your member interview ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd Duck Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 On 10/28/2022 at 8:40 AM, TheSwissAquarist said: Sorry, this may be a different subject @Odd Duck, but have you seen your member interview ? I did one already, quite a while back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSwissAquarist Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 On 10/28/2022 at 3:41 PM, Odd Duck said: I did one already, quite a while back. Ok, sorry! Have a nice day! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd Duck Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 On 10/28/2022 at 8:41 AM, TheSwissAquarist said: Ok, sorry! Have a nice day! No worries! I thought I had linked that one in, but I can’t remember now if I did. I meant to. 😆 🤷🏻♀️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJs Aquatics Posted October 28, 2022 Author Share Posted October 28, 2022 @Odd Duck thank you 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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