How does a Undergravel Filter Reduce Flow?
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How It Works
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An undergravel filter consists of a platform placed on the bottom of the tank with tubes attached at its corners. Air is pumped through the tubes, which also pushes water through. The water goes through the gravel and platform, then cycles back up into the tank. This system uses the gravel to strain wastes from the water.
Problem and Solutions
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If too much waste builds up in the gravel, water circulation is blocked. This will also keep the filter from working at its best. To prevent this, the waste materials must be removed from the gravel on a regular basis, usually with a gravel vacuum--a plastic tube attached to a siphon hose. The tube is used move around the gravel, stirring up the trapped waste. The siphon tube sucks the water containing this waste out into a bucket or other container. As long as the gravel is cleaned at least every other week, you should not run into this problem.
Another option is a different system called a reverse-flow undergravel filter. It uses an additional filter to remove waste material from the water before sending it through the undergravel filter system.
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