Undergravel filters

Not so much gravel around period. People who want sand go for finer stuff than yours, mostly. I don't think my diggers would like the dolomite as much. But if that's bad, I dont wanna be good ;)
 
I got plenty of diggers, in fact, I got to many diggers, they dig all over the place. I wish they would stop digging. Maybe they don't know they are not supposed to dig in dolomite.
 
Do they dig or do they shovel....or push and pull?

I would be willing to bet a Harvey Wallbanger that others are running them but just don't post here. Pretty big hobby and I have watched several videos that show people running similar gravel types. Personally speaking of course I think some people just add whatever without considering the fish coral bio types (or don't add anything). I have considered it on a few occasions but then look back on the reef type I am trying to reproduce and that substrate isn't there. That is why I don't run one.

Although I am slowly adding some rubble and courser stuff so I can add a pistol shrimp hoping my yellow goby will become friends ;).
 
Paul, if you were to give a newcomer to the hobby advice on how to set up a tank, would you suggest that they use a RUGF? I've read with interest your posts since joining RC, but I'm still not sure if you think that your system works for you (and could work for others) or if you advocate that it is a system that is better than current standard practice?
 
I try very hard not to give advice to Noobs and rarely do. Not that I am selfish or a snob (I may be, but that is not the reason) I realize my methods are rather old and not taken seriously anymore by anyone. I am not sure a Noob would follow the instructions and do the thing correctly. Then come after me with sharpened chicken bones. I feel all the methods now are Noob methods because for many years my ways were the only ways. Then Brian Williams invented the internet and everyone became an expert after they started a tank last Tuesday. Very few systems last very long any more and I am not sure why as I don't use those methods. I am not sure if it is the systems or the lack of interest. This is not a hobby for me as much as a way of life. I have had a tank of some kind every day of my life so it is a part of me and is just there. I see threads asking "what did you do to your reef today" and I think, Nothing. It is just there and kind of takes care of itself.
I am not sure how people set up tanks now but I do know the forums are filled with problems. Problems that I don't seem to have, and again, I am not sure why. I am appalled (well I am always a Paul) at the number of tanks that crash. Is it because of the lack of a reverse UG filter, a lack of wild bacteria, a lack of live food or a lack of interest. I really don't know, but would like to.
Things like ich, hair algae, pests, dosing, test kits take up so much print and those are things that are not even things to me.
I also realize my tank is no where near the nicest tank on here as it was never supposed to be. There have been times when it looked fantastic and times when it was so so. It is, and always has been an experiment. Something I love to play with, change, and try different, sometimes controversial or just silly things. I am not in this to become TOTM. It doesn't interest me although my tank has had that honor 5 or 6 times on different forums.
So to answer the original question, I am not sure I would want to teach a Noob my methods. I just don't know. :smokin:
 
Paul B said:
Why am I the only one who uses a reverse undergravel filter? Am I Bad? :uhoh2:
Click to expand...

You might be ahead of your time! Actually, you stopped just before revolutionizing the hobby.

Substrates probably would benefit from periodic reversals of flow, a sort of very slow inhalation and exhalation of water. The particle sizes needs to be small to maintain anoxic areas even under flow conditions. Not sure if aragonite would work or would you need a mineral that is less reactive and prone to clumping or dissolving. I am stumped as to how to pull this off though. Let's write up the patent and split the profits.
 
I've seen pics of your tanks and they are amazing.
Just one question: Do you still a a black and white TV?
 
Under gravel

Under gravel

Hey Paul,

What do you do to keep your UG filter from clogging up from detritus?

Thanks,

Howard
 
Im all about experimenting ..my new kick is substrate less macro algae grow out ..and the idea of ugf sounds like great way to remove the detris from in root ball...hmmmm
 

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What do you do to keep your UG filter from clogging up from detritus?
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Howard the thing ran for 15 or 20 years the first time I cleaned it. Usually, every year, or twice a year I take a diatom filter, or any canister filter and using the outflow hose, blow the gravel all the way down to the UG filter plate than suck out the detritus. It doesn't clog.

John I strain the water through a sponge before it is pumped under the gravel
 
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