UGF with Large Air Bubbles

[Lady Samsara]

I have a 2 1/2 gallon hex tank with a UGF. Recently the filter has
caused large air bubbles, from beneath the filter plate. This
happened once before (some time ago)and stopped after I moved some
gravel around. Now it has started again. As with the last time, I
also have noticed whitish debris while vacumning. Does this mean the
filter is going bad? I tried a Google search but could not find any
relevant information. TIA for any help!

[jduprie]

sounds like there is air getting trapped under the UGF, so it bubbles up
through the gravel. The lift tube (the thing the bubbles are supposed to
come up) is too high - it should be just barely above the surface of the
water, or just beow it. you may also be pushing too much air into the
filter - if it can't all get out hte the lift tube, it will be forced under
the filter plate and build up until theres enough to force its way through
the gravel. The only other thing I can think of is that your gravel bed may
not be deep enough. I typically run about 2 inches of gravel, and have never
had problems.
I've never had an undergravel filter "go bad" - there really isn't
anything that *can* go bad, other than getting a buildup of gunk under the
plate. I've kept tanks for about 10 years without that happening..... If you
thing that there is a lt of stuff under the filter plate, the easiest way to
clean it out is to connect a power head to the lift tube. It'll suck out
anything thats blocking the filter plates.... Its not that expensive, and is
a lot easier than tearing the whole tank apart to clean it... I don't know
what hte whitish debris is. If there is a lot of air under the filter, it
might be micro-bubbles (the same thing that can make your tap water look
whitish).....

good luck

--JD




"Lady Samsara" > wrote in message
om...
> I have a 2 1/2 gallon hex tank with a UGF. Recently the filter has
> caused large air bubbles, from beneath the filter plate. This
> happened once before (some time ago)and stopped after I moved some
> gravel around. Now it has started again. As with the last time, I
> also have noticed whitish debris while vacumning. Does this mean the
> filter is going bad? I tried a Google search but could not find any
> relevant information. TIA for any help!

[RedForeman ©®]

I've only had that problem when I've neglected to vacuum a bit, and some
anaerobic bacteria has built up....


"Lady Samsara" > wrote in message
om...
> I have a 2 1/2 gallon hex tank with a UGF. Recently the filter has
> caused large air bubbles, from beneath the filter plate. This
> happened once before (some time ago)and stopped after I moved some
> gravel around. Now it has started again. As with the last time, I
> also have noticed whitish debris while vacumning. Does this mean the
> filter is going bad? I tried a Google search but could not find any
> relevant information. TIA for any help!

[NetMax]

"Lady Samsara" > wrote in message
om...
> I have a 2 1/2 gallon hex tank with a UGF. Recently the filter has
> caused large air bubbles, from beneath the filter plate. This
> happened once before (some time ago)and stopped after I moved some
> gravel around. Now it has started again. As with the last time, I
> also have noticed whitish debris while vacumning. Does this mean the
> filter is going bad? I tried a Google search but could not find any
> relevant information. TIA for any help!

The air line/airstone is too low in the UGF riser pipe, causing some air
to get trapped under the UGF plate. Once enough small bubbles collect,
they will push their way up through the gravel. Cut an inch or two off
the air line, raising the lowest point (airstone) upwards.

Another possible problem is that you are running 2 UGF risers, and one's
flow rate is slightly higher than the other, pulling some air under the
gravel. Raise your airstone positions, and replace them both for new
airstones. hth

Detritus is mostly dark, so your white debris might be gravel fines
(harmless) or (less likely) fungus on uneaten foods (a concern).

NetMax

[Lady Samsara]

"NetMax" > wrote in message >...
> "Lady Samsara" > wrote in message
> om...
> > I have a 2 1/2 gallon hex tank with a UGF. Recently the filter has
> > caused large air bubbles, from beneath the filter plate. This
> > happened once before (some time ago)and stopped after I moved some
> > gravel around. Now it has started again. As with the last time, I
> > also have noticed whitish debris while vacumning. Does this mean the
> > filter is going bad? I tried a Google search but could not find any
> > relevant information. TIA for any help!
>
> The air line/airstone is too low in the UGF riser pipe, causing some air
> to get trapped under the UGF plate. Once enough small bubbles collect,
> they will push their way up through the gravel. Cut an inch or two off
> the air line, raising the lowest point (airstone) upwards.
>
> Another possible problem is that you are running 2 UGF risers, and one's
> flow rate is slightly higher than the other, pulling some air under the
> gravel. Raise your airstone positions, and replace them both for new
> airstones. hth
>
> Detritus is mostly dark, so your white debris might be gravel fines
> (harmless) or (less likely) fungus on uneaten foods (a concern).
>
> NetMax

Thanks to all for the help. I changed airstone and raised it up a
little and all seems to be fine. Still not sure what the white stuff
is...it's kind of flaky and seems to be collected on the plant and
ornament as well. I'll give it a bit and see if it resolves itself
with water chages and vacuming. Thanks again!