Another thing to look out for is the use of large pieces of stone or wood that sit flat on the gravel. This will result in less efficient use of the entire filter plate. Since water flow follows the path of least resistance, an area with less gravel will receive more flow than areas that have more gravel.

You will also want the gravel to be evenly distributed across the bottom. The gravel should be of mixed grades, but make sure that you don’t have anything so small that can slip under or through the grating. To ensure maximum efficiency with your filter, you will need to make sure that you have at least 2 to 3 inches of gravel above the filter plate.

Using the proper size and amount of gravel plays an important role in how well your filter will function. This is especially true of undergravel filtration. The Fix: Proper set-up is very important with filtration. The Problem: They don’t work well enough. Some say undergravel filters are inefficient in tanks that have a lot of fish. Let’s take a look at some of the common problems associated with undergravel filters and explore some solutions.

They are sometimes considered to be a relic of aquarium history, but are they still serviceable? Some hobbyists swear by them and some hobbyists swear at them. How your tank runs using an undergravel filter is dependent on a couple of factors – set up and maintenance. Undergravel filters get a pretty bad rap. With all of the technological advances in the aquarium hobby, I thought it would be nice to take a look at one of the most rudimentary and long-standing pieces of equipment in the industry – the Undergravel Filter.

Undergrave instal