DIY Undergravel Filter (UGF)

The most frequent comments I get is "I wish undergravel filters worked with sand" or "How do I use an UGF with sand". Unfortunately, the solution can't be bought, so we have to make our own DIY Under gravel filter. This is one way to skin the cat; another easy way would be to use the inter-linkable UGF tiles and throw a weed fabric barrier across that and you can safe yourself the hassle of making your own. But again, I am using what I have around me and it might not be the cheapest for you to buy or the least amount of time to put together but hopefully this serves as some inspiration for you to have the confidence to make you own undergravel filter.
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[@bb-fe9ur]

So glad to see you posted again !

[@jacobfisher4647]

A nice coldwater fish you could keep are white cloud minnows, they can take temps down into the 40s and prefer it in the low 70s and below

[@TheAquariumLibrary]

Yup those are ones I am actually keeping already and are a great fish.

[@juliorivera870]

This is a great idea 💡👍 i like the ties idea, i used it in the center, half & half on my 55gal, i also lift it up so i could see the debris under it, i also used vinyl screen and glue larg size gravel on top of the screen to hid it, but to have small openings , i also connected a hangover filter to it, the fish food accumulation at the bottom of the tank cause too many disease to my guppies, this works perfect and keeps my fish healthy

[@UKRANINSKY]

Perfect!! That looks really nice can't wait to see it up and running.

[@TheAquariumLibrary]

It’s been running well. Hopefully will be getting some plants and fish in there soon enough that I can then share with you all.

[@raisinggoldfishonabudget7058]

@@TheAquariumLibrary That's going to be cool looking with what fish you decide to put in it I guess you're going with air instead of a power head for the ugf, you know if you go with a power head that will put heat in the tank right at 70-72 degrees which is what I am doing with my cold water fish & they do just fine.

[@Sinserg]

Nice setup!

[@davidvaughan3771]

I've tried for yrs ..( over 30) to put a filter, mesh..what ever, to allow sand to sit on top, sand just clogs the filter or screen/ mesh ... really works best with gravel...plain and simple

[@jonathanschutz8563]

Had the same issue as well. My plates have tiny slots, plus the fabric made it clog quite fast (less than a month) I think it is better to use a slot as wide opening as possible.

[@ziakhadivi570]

Wonderful content as usual, it’s good to see you posting again! Btw, have you gotten any progress on your Gulf Coast Pygmy Sunfish breeding project? I’m really interested in trying to breed them myself, and if you could possibly sell me some fry in the future, I’d be very grateful.

[@TheAquariumLibrary]

Thank you. I currently have all of them in isolation as I lost a good number in my move and wanted to make sure I have fat females with lots of eggs before introducing them to the males.

[@gregkillmeier8560]

Instead of gluing legs, I might try cutting pvc pipe an inch or so long to act as legs?

[@DEXTER-TV-series]

yes.

[@Abc-tu9ry]

Hi. Great video. I'm a new beginner on plenum filtration system. Can you explain to me how exactky you would setup the water flow from inside the aquarium through the plenum and out the vertical pvc pipe you install in the corner of the aquarium? I would really appreciate if you could do a video or if you have one already made showing step by step the installation if the water filtration flow. Respect!

[@smncowardyahoo]

an airstone is placed down the pvc pipe. the airstone has air blown through it using an air pump. the bubbles rise up the pvc pipe and push water up the pipe too. the water moving up the pipe causes water under the filter plate to go up te pvc pipe. that water causes water to flow down through te substrate.

[@alexanderstavropoulos1257]

my man just raw dogging his carpet with silicone

[@blucenere]

I am eager to have news on this tank 😊

[@popoypagong6003]

Sand will get through the sides and under, eventually filling up the empty spaces underneath your screen barrier.

[@rickybarassi4686]

Would it be ok to put the plates, some kind of nylon mesh in order to put on top some substrate with laterite and some sand on top of it? Would that be a proper set up? Regards from Argentina

[@reneesnugent3358]

I'm trying to figure out how to purchase a ugf and want to purchase a good ugf. What do you use to help grow plants? I also want power filter to help, I've got angelfish and aquarium is 29 gallon, please help me figure it out 🙏

[@eprohoda]

broth-you made nice -

[@TheAquariumLibrary]

Thank you!

[@rockfella27]

It's a good attempt, however water flow will be restricted in this type of DIY.

[@reneesnugent3358]

What is the temperature gage u are using?

[@conman20000]

Do you pump water into it or pull water out of it with a powerhead?

[@anything399]

Can we get an update?? Miss you man.

[@ryandixon6428]

I will do the same only it be saltwater

[@tripsy2524]

Need an update

[@557Charlie]

Hello can you use aqua soil with ugf filter?Or mayby gravel first then soil

[@tonys.5940]

Medaka (Japanese rice fish)

[@TheAquariumLibrary]

I’ve been looking for a good source to get them from, do you know of any?

[@k9feces]

This seems more expensive than the $11 penn plax

[@TheAquariumLibrary]

It is more expensive but a penn plax wouldn’t do well with sand. It’d go right through the slates and you would no longer have an UGF. So if you want sand and an UGF you need something different than what is offered on the market.

[@user-ohmy]

How does the pump part work?

[@user-ohmy]

I want to build one myself. Hopefully, I can get it so fish poop gets pulled down and back up to be filtered out and reduce the number of times I need to hand vaccume the substrate

[@user-ohmy]

It works

[@Tauna208]

​@@user-ohmyyou got it to work? What did you do? This is what i want to do.