Gravel filter question

[squirrilah fish]

So I got a tank with a gravel filter, and the power head blew out, so I removed the tubing, but left the grate under the gravel? Is this going to be ok? Are there any benefits to just having the filter grate under the gravel? Or worse could it be harmful?

 

[Cichlid Kid]

No. There's no real benefit now that the powerhead isn't flowing water throughout the gravel bed. Longterm could be an issue as detritus accumulates under the grate.

 

[squirrilah fish]

Ok cool, I'll take it out next time I do a water change.

 

[DavidAl]

You've just created a plenum, my friend. Denitrifying bacteria will grow down there, converting nitrate in to nitrogen gas. This is popular with saltwater aficionados.

David

 

[foster53]

You've just created a plenum, my friend. Denitrifying bacteria will grow down there, converting nitrate in to nitrogen gas. This is popular with saltwater aficionados.

David

Exactly what I was going to say. I discovered this many years ago completely by accident. It does decrease the nitrate concentration fairly well.

 

[squirrilah fish]

Is that good? I'm confused, I have a fresh water tank.

 

[Cichlid Kid]

Does a plenum work for freshwater? I'm confused as well..

 

[foster53]

Is that good? I'm confused, I have a fresh water tank.[/QUOTE
Thats is a good thing. It helps reduce nitrates between Water changes.

 

[foster53]

Plenums actually work better in a marine environment, but they will work to a certain extent in freshwater also.