How do i setup an undergravel filter from scratch?

Question

I have a juwel rekord 60L tank and a brand new undergravel filter thing, i would like someone to tell me how best to set it all up so as the fish dont die when i put them in the tank and that it is a safe poisen free tank, i have testing kits etc and i know it has to be cycled but would like an experts or an experianced persons knowledge many thanks?

Answer 1

I wouldn't use them in the way they were meant. Get a canister filter, and pipe it in so that the output goes into the under gravel filter. That way, nothing sits in the under gravel filter, and the waste in the gravel will be pushed up and sucked into the filter. It is called reverse flow under gravel filter, and it work great.

Answer 2

I would NOT use a undergravel filter old school technology BUT if you do just clean the tank sit the undergravel filter plate on the bare bottom of the tank cover it with about 2 - 3 inches of gravel fill with water turn on air pump get it running and let it cycle with some cheap fish like comet goldfish for at least a month then remove goldfish and add the fish you want DONT OVER CROWD THE TANK WITH FISH.

Answer 3

hi those filters are very old technology

i would by a canister or cling on filter