Alternate use for UGF / RUGF

[PsiPro]

OK So I have my old [acronym:f9e714d726="Under Gravel Filter"]UGF[/acronym:f9e714d726] set up to be my [acronym:f9e714d726="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:f9e714d726] diffuser. Instead of an air stone I threaded a "[acronym:f9e714d726="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:f9e714d726] stone" (Air stone hooked up to my [acronym:f9e714d726="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:f9e714d726] reactor) to the bottom. The creates a nice buble of [acronym:f9e714d726="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:f9e714d726] at the top of the filter and in my experience so far is has worked... decently.

I know UGFs are not recomended for planted tanks but I'm wondering. If i turned my powerhead so mabey 1/2-1/4 the flow is directed down the pipe (therefor mixing the [acronym:f9e714d726="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:f9e714d726]) the [acronym:f9e714d726="Under Gravel Filter"]UGF[/acronym:f9e714d726] would still be bad for the tank.

[workfortheman]

PsiPro wrote: "If i turned my powerhead so mabey 1/2-1/4 the flow is directed down the pipe (therefor mixing the [acronym:6068ade8c4="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:6068ade8c4]) the [acronym:6068ade8c4="Under Gravel Filter"]UGF[/acronym:6068ade8c4] would still be bad for the tank."

Only once you find that it clogs up and you have to remove all of your substrate and plants to fix the problem! And from what I've read, this is only a matter of time depending on how many inches of substrate you have!

[PsiPro]

Hmm OK Thanks for the responce. Guess i'm gonna need to figure out another way to get the [acronym:943b6dee02="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:943b6dee02] into the water.

[PsiPro]

Ok amendment to my previous. What If i put a filter over the [acronym:159feda33e="Under Gravel Filter"]UGF[/acronym:159feda33e] so that when I push water down there isn't any debris? Just water?

[workfortheman]

Do you plan on this being the only form of filtration on the tank? Also, is it the 15gallon?

[krap101]

what if you had the co2 going into like a cup filled with gravel? could that break up the bubbles?

[PsiPro]

Yes this is the 15gallon. There is a [acronym:95eb5d765e="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:95eb5d765e] filter and this is not ment as a form of filtration. I'm just trying to get my DYI [acronym:95eb5d765e="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:95eb5d765e] Set up. I attached a picture of whats going on in the tank.

The bubler is at the bottom of the clear tube. I'm just running wanter backwards down the tube. The output of the powerhead is pointed at the usualy outflow of the bubbler.

[PsiPro]

Originally Posted by krap101

what if you had the co2 going into like a cup filled with gravel? could that break up the bubbles?

I've tried but its hard to hide and havn't been successful at getting it disolved well. I have vey high diffusal rates this way, but i know UGFs are frowned upon in the planted world.

[workfortheman]

I'd say if the asthetics are okay with you and you consider this a permanent application, by all means stick with it!

Let me try to clarify: the co2 tubing reaches all the way underneath the substrate, and the bubbles stick around down there until they dissolve? Or do all the bubbles float back up to the top of the [acronym:05526f8b6f="Under Gravel Filter"]UGF[/acronym:05526f8b6f] piping and collect there?