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16 Jan
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Posted by Marnago
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There are a lot of types of filtration systems that are available to the house aquarium enthusiast. All will work by chemical, mechanical or biological processes. In fact, most will mix two or more of these elements. One such type of filtration system is the aquarium undergravel filter. Also known simply as a “UG filter,” it combines mechanical and biological processes to maintain the water in your tank clean and well-balanced.
An aquarium undergravel filter is straightforward in its design. It c
onsists of a slotted tray, generally made of plastic, which is placed at the bottom of the aquarium. This tray design keeps the gravel substrate from touching the tank bottom. The tray will also have many lift tubes which rise from it. These lift tubes will use the circulatory power of an air pump or power head to lift water from the bottom of the tank and return it via their upper openings. Since the water located at the bottom of the tank has been forced to pass through the gr
Terms
Aquarium Accessories, tube, water level, Fish Tank plant, debris, filter, plate, undergravel, bacteria
avel by the circulatory forces created by the lift tubes, the water returned from the top of the lift tubes has undergone filtration.
By using this design, an Fish Tank undergravel filter is able to accomplish the task of mechanical filtration by using the gravel as the primary mechanism for trapping large particles from the water. The system also allows for beneficial bacteria to colonize the depths of the substrate material. These bacteria in turn help to complete the nitrogen cycle, keeping
Category › Pets
Title › Fish Tank Undergravel Filter | Aquarium
levels of ammonia in check and maintaining the chemical composition of the water in balance.
It is this simplicity of design that also makes the aquariumundergravel filter low in maintenance. Unlike other types of filtration systems which require changing filter media, activated carbon, etc.; UG filters only require that the substrate be vacuumed on a weekly schedule. The vacuuming is accomplished by using an aquarium siphon pump to make a pass over the substrate area to remove physical debris which has been trapped in the gravel by the circulatory forces. Most aquarium enthusiasts combine this action with their weekly quarter-tank water changes in order to consolidate tank maintenance.
Yes, those taking into account an aquarium undergravel filter should also be conscious of some caveats which could turn away their efficiency. The complete success of a UG filter rests with water properly circulating all the way through the gravel and being fed back to the tank via the lift tubes. If debris is allowed to build up in excess within the substrate, this will compromise water circulation and the continued effectiveness of the mechanical filtration effect. This in turn, will also lower the effectiveness of the beneficial bacteria in completing the nitrogen cycle, allowing levels of ammonia and nitrites to rise to unsafe levels quite quickly.
As such, adhering to a routine maintenance schedule is critical in order to maintai
n the high effectiveness of an aquarium undergravel filter. If one intends to have rooted live plants in the aquarium, one should also be aware that aquarium undergravel filters can impede their growth. In order to make them compatible with one another, when installing the bottom plate of the UG filter, place barrier plates over the grates that will rest immediately below the area that you plan to use for anchoring rooted plants. In doing this, do not cover more than 15% of the surface area of the grated bottom plate so as not to have circulation problems.An aquarium undergravel filter can be very effectual and is one of the most well-liked filtration systems used by aquarium enthusiasts for decades. Provided that you stick to routine maintenance schedules and be watchful for the signs of reduced water circulation, they can give out your aquarium well.
| Category: Aquarium To claim credit or remove article fill this form |
Tag: Aquarium, Aquarium Accessories, Aquarium Supply, Bacteria, debris, filter, fish care, Fish Tank, Fish Tank plant, Pet Store, plate, tube, undergravel, water level |
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19 Jan
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Posted by mac
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Allergies in dogs, actually put your dogs more at risk than dogs without allergies, because they cause the ears to become inflamed and this makes the ears naturally heat up, producing the breeding ground for yeast and bacteria, and also lays the ground for chronic forms of ear infections. Dogs that are more sensitive to allergies, thus, will also be more susceptible to ear infections. Some of these breeds include Poodles, Cocker Spaniels, Retrievers and Schnauzers. Dog ear infections are also commonly called Otitis Externa. It is an infection of the outer ear canal. There are three parts to the ear; the outer, the middle, and the inner ear. Ninety percent of infections occur in the outer ear.
These infections can be chronic conditions that linger on, especially external ear infections, or the can happen very suddenly.
The main causes of infection are allergies, bacteria, yeast and mites. Symptoms include head shaking, scratching, head tilting, personality and behavioral changes, appetite loss, odor, discharge, pain, bleeding and swelling.
Some of the signs of infections that your dog show is they will start to shake their head a lot as they are actually trying to get the debris and fluid out. They will constantly scratch their ears, and the ears will become inflamed and start to produce an offensive odor from the bacteria build up. These infections also will cause a discharge in the ear of fluid and even a puss like discharge, and because of the constant pain your pet is in, their behavior will change and they may start to whine, become irritable, and may actually become depressed as well. Click to continue »
| Category: Dog Disease To claim credit or remove article fill this form |
Tag: Bacteria, Chronic, Diseases, Dog, Dog Care, Dog Infections, Pet care, Pets |




