[CARE] More information of UnderGravel Filter (UGF)

Here is the information talk about substract and UGF before
From the last article about substract(click above), there has some more to talk about UGF.

There has many different ways to keep CRS healthy and breed, you can learn from real experience or risking CRS life to try it.
If you are new to this hobby and don't want to risk your CRS to try, here I can suggest you a common method that I learn from Taiwan CRS forum to set up a tank by using UGF.
UGF can turn the substract into bacteria Bed for Bio Filtration.

How to handle the substract layer above the UGF?
Use ADA Amazonia I screen out the smaller substract by spinning on a mesh/ hole bowl (washing fruit /veggie/rices). So, only 1 bag can turn into "powder" and "normal" size soil, saving $ but take more time.

UGF > Pad cover guard > "normal" size substract 5-6 cm > "powder" size substract 3-4cm

Why setting up UGF in this way?
UGF (UnderGravel Filter) - will help the in flow more average, but the water go through the substract may shorten the life of substract. so, ADA amazonia I is better for solid form.

Pad cover - use thin filter pad/bio pad/laundry mesh bag to cover the UGF. to avoid the substract get into UGF for longer run of the undergravel avoid the flow going slower.

Normal size layer - give better flow of the UGF, and few chance to stuck the UGF.

Powder size Top layer- used because the CRS can easily pick on them for eating and prevent the frys dig into substract.

Which UGF is best for you?
1) Choose smaller size UGF of the tank.
eg. 2.5 feet tank use 2 feet UGF. (10 gallon UGF normally has 2 portion UGF, use half of it) to set up a balanced cycle for half tank for Aerobic bacteria bed and half anti-aerobic N-Bacteria.
2) strong joint between the gravel and the intake tube. I faced the UGF tube slip off and the substract all go down the UG plate. (become useless)

Thanks,
KH