Water likes to flow downhill and if it finds its way to the power cord, it will follow the cord all the way to the electrical outlet. Using an undergravel filter (UGF) is a tried and true method of filtering the water in a fish tank or aquarium. Water flows by gravity into the canister and filter media. If the air pump accidentally gets unplugged or there is a power failure, water can flow down the airline, draining the aquarium, ruining the air pump and flooding your home. A water pump is built into the canister, usually at the top of the canister tank. Spilled water will soak into the aquarium cabinet, damaging the wood and potentially causing an electrical problem. Lee's 10 Premium Undergravel Filter, 10-Inch by 20-Inch, AquaClear 110 Aquarium Power Filter - for 60 to 110 Gallon. No. Depending on the type of fish you have, you’ll also need to adjust the temperature of the water as well as its ammonia and pH levels. The water pump pulls in air and sends it out of the pump nozzle. This indicates that the UGF installation is complete. This reduces clogging and coating of other media in the filter. Undergravel filters do not physically remove waste particles and can become quickly overloaded with more waste than the bacteria can break down, causing ammonia and nitrates to rise. Score the edges of the cut out with a box knife and it will easily snap off. Remember to always ask a veterinarian for help regarding all of your pets. When finished, you’ll have a bucket full of dirty water. HOB filters take up space behind the aquarium. We have picked the 5 most common aquarium filter types and we provide the tips you need for a successful installation. Hang-on-the-back or HOB power filters are one of the most popular category of aquarium filter systems. Only place an aquarium on sturdy furniture that can withstand the weight of a full aquarium; water is deceptively heavy. You can use the Imagitarium UGF in both marine and freshwater tanks. This will remove chlorine from the water and make it safe for fish. Keep in mind that the rising bubbles will break at the water surface, creating a steady mist. Most HOB filters have a leveling screw or tab that lets you adjust the “tilt” of the filter. At this point, the aquarium must be placed in its permanent... 2. X We hope you find these tips on how to set up the various types of aquarium filters helpful. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Once it’s been soaked, thoroughly rinse the bubbler and flexible airline tubing using clean, fresh, dechlorinated water to remove any remaining factory dust. This article has been viewed 24,430 times. Purchase the necessary amount of dechlorinated water from a... 3. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Research source Last update on 2020-10-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Rather than relying on a filter to clean the water, the gravel itself acts as a filter. This cause a lift effect, pulling aquarium water into the gravel bed and out of the top of the uplift tubes. The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Bacteria boosters or biological filter starters or enhancers are both unnecessary and can be damaging to the long-time stability of your aquarium. Some aquarium hobbyists place a towel or padding on top of their aquarium furniture before placing the aquarium on top to help keep the aquarium level and absorb any droplets that may splash out and roll down the outer surface of the aquarium. If anything is moved out of place, after the tank is filled, reach 1 arm in and re-position the item. Designed to hang on the back rim of the aquarium, HOB filters come in a range of sizes suitable for tanks from 5 gallons up to several hundred gallons. More on canister filters later. Otherwise you’ll be removing the canister lid from the canister, under the aquarium. Fill the filter box with aquarium water then plug it in. If you have an open top aquarium, you can hang the filter anyplace on the back or side of the tank. If the gravel gets plugged the UGF won’t function efficiently. This siphon is a good option from Amazon. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. If the water is relatively clean, you can pour it back into the tank once you’ve installed the filter. A drip loop prevents the water from getting into the electrical outlet. Finishing Setup and Cleaning the Filter 1. We recommend this valve that you can find on Amazon. 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