Powerful Reverse Flow UGF

[Rich1Reef]

Before I ask opinions this is in no way related to biological filtration. There will be a 75 gallon stand alone high flow tank filled to the rim with no lighting. This is about keeping a CC substrate clean.

I am preparing to start a 150 gallon (48x24x30) display tank. I was planning to go BB but the more I think about it the more I don't think I will like it. I have had DSB, CC, and other substrates over the years and all of them at some point have to be cleaned, replaced, or maintained weekly. I was thinking about building an under gravel jet system out of a PVC grid and actually placing an UGF on top of it. Really high flow to push debris out of the substrate in to the water column. I have used UFGs in the past with FW set ups and I know how they accumulate debris under them. That's where the jets come in to play. Positioned so there are no dead spots under the filter with enough pressure to push a really decent amount of water up through a CC substrate. I know I will still have to maintain it on some level. Does anyone see any cons or maybe some pros to trying this out?

I have looked for other threads here on this topic but none seem to cover my points. People see UGF and go on automatically to no.

 

[Alfrareef]

Take a look at JUNICHI thread. Perhaps it help.

 

[Rich1Reef]

Sorry. Couldn't find anything on the forums matching JUNICHI.

 

[mcgyvr]

Had many tanks..always just use aragonite sand.. Couple inches deep.. NEVER needed to remove it.. don't ever touch it..never siphon/clean it.. nothing.. Never had a problem..

Crushed coral is a problem though.. and yes if you intend to use it you better do "something" as it does require maintenance.

Crushed coral is too large and will allow a lot of crap to settle down in it.
It does not have near the surface area of sand and will not allow oxygen depleted areas/bacteria to form and full break that crap down properly/efficiently into nitrates/gas..
CC has no place in a saltwater tank IMO..

Controlling the flow of water and solids in it is a science.. You could get lucky but I don't think your plan will work well.. And a UGF is certainly not a direction many take.. for obvious reasons..

I think you should just do a 2-3" deep aragonite based sand bed and don't touch it.. But instead let critters do the work.. Worms/nassarius snails,etc...

 

[Alfrareef]

Powerful Reverse Flow UGF

Junichi Yamasaki over the other forum...