kamakasi

hi
i was wondering if i can use a UG/undergravel filter with sand?
or would it be better to use an internal power filter?

thanks

Alasse

UGF will not work with sand, the sand will get under the plates and defeat the purpose of it being there

An internal or cannister filter would be a better choice

sirdarksol

You could probably do a reverse UGF (where the water is pushed up through the sand), but a traditional UGF wouldn't work.

mitch

the sand cant be to fine

kamakasi

ok
thanks

griffin

similar to mitch - i would strongly recommend against a reverse UGF with sand. you're going to end up blowing it all over your tank - causing cloudiness and possibly messing up your equipment (filters, etc) depending on what kinds you have. it's ok with gravel because the gravel won't come up and cloud the water.

sirdarksol

I disagree. It depends on the type of sand that you're using and the pressure you've got running through the pipes.
I have seen areas where water pumps up from the ground through sand, and it doesn't "blow sand all over the place." What it does is cause the sand to hover a bit as the water pushes through it.
Yes, if you use very fine sand, it will flow around the tank. If, however, you use larger grain sand and have a weaker pump that is spread out across a lot of sand, this can work very well.

kamakasi

ok
thanks i think i stick to internal power filters
thanks