Is the Aquarium Undergravel Filter A Good Choice?
There are many types of filtration systems that are available to the home aquarium enthusiast. All will work by chemical, mechanical or biological processes. In fact, most will combine two or more of these elements. One such type of filtration system is the aquarium undergravel filter. Also known simply as a “UG filter,” it combines mechanical and biological processes to maintain the water in your tank clean and well-balanced. An aquarium undergravel filter is simple in its design. It consists of a slotted tray, normally constructed of plastic, which is placed at the bottom of the aquarium. This tray design keeps the gravel substrate from touching the actual tank bottom. The tray will also have multiple lift tubes which rise from it. These lift tubes will use the circulatory power of an air pump or power head to lift water from the bottom of the tank and return it via their upper openings. Since the water located at the bottom of the tank has been forced to pass through the gravel by t
