a device for enhancing bacterial nitrification in substrate, made of a slotted plate which is placed under the substrate.
This type of filter involves a few long, plastic tubes which remain upright in the aquarium and are attached to a plate on the bottom. In each tube is an air stone attached to an air pump. As the air bubbles rise, a current is generated which continuously brings water from the aquarium, through the substrate and to the top of the tubes.
a perforated plate that is under the gravel in the tank, connected to a pump
a slatted plastic tray which forms a false floor that allows a layer of gravel to be suspended above a water filled space
a slatted tray which forms a false floor that allows a layer of gravel to be suspended above it so that water can be circulated down through the gravel
a slotted piece of plastic (undergravel plate) that sits on the bottom of the aquarium and lets water flow between the plate and the bottom of the tank
a slotted plate situated inside the aquarium on the bottom glass under the aquarium gravel
a very effective biological filter
This filter provides both mechanical and biological filtration. It uses a few long, plastic tubes attached to a perforated plate on the bottom that is covered with gravel to pull water through the gravel. By pulling water through the gravel, the bacteria that help in the nitrogen cycle are oxygenated. Water is pulled through the gravel and then through the tubes with the aid of an air stone attached to an air pump. As the air bubbles rise, a current is generated which continuously brings water from the aquarium, through the substrate and to the top of the tubes. UG Filters are not recommended for planted tanks or African Cichlid setups.
A method of filtering aquariums involving plastic plates that cover the bottom of the aquarium. These plates have slits in them and places for one or more vertical stems. The plates of an undergravel filter must be completely covered in gravel. Water is driven up the stems which causes replacement water to be sucked through the gravel. The gravel serves as a filtering medium. Undergravel filters can keep a tank very clean BUT they have several serious drawbacks. Cichlids like to dig and in doing so expose the plates, thereby destroying the filter. Also, cleaning an undergravel filter is messy and requires removing everything from the tank (including the fish). I do NOT recommend undergravel filters for cichlid aquariums.