Best Undergravel Filter – How to Choose and How to Maintain

What is the best undergravel filter on the market? Do you want an excellent filter for small your fish tank? Or you just want a safe and reliable filter to keep your aquarium clean without harming your fish? An undergravel filter is the ideal option.

An undergravel filter will be a great buy if you’re looking for a low cost and low maintenance filter.

With different undergravel filter flooding the market, making the right choice can be difficult. And that’s why I’ve done the hard work and created a review of the best undergravel filter in the market today. I’ll also guide you on important factors to consider before buying an undergravel filter. Without wasting much time, let’s get started with the best 3 undergravel filter.

Best Undergravel Filter

Image	Name of product	Features	Price
	Penn Plax Undergravel Filter – Premium Aquarium 4 Filter Plate System	Filtration: Chemical and biological Capacity: 40-50 gallon Set up: Easy to set up and operate Aquarium type: Freshwater and saltwater Extras: air stones, filter plates, filter cartridges, and adjustable tune	Check on Amazon
	Lee’s 70/90 Premium Undergravel Filter 18-Inch by 48-Inch	Aquarium type:  saltwater preferred Filtration: mechanical, and chemical filtration, Material is plastic Capacity: 70-90 gallons Extra: Multiple tube ports, Activated carbon cartridge	Check on Amazon
	Aquarium Equip ISTA Undergravel Filter	Filtration: biological filtration Aquarium type: freshwater and saltwater Capacity: 5.5 gallon Extra: Adjustable rise tube	Check on Amazon

How to Choose an Undergravel Filter?

It’s important to choose the best undergravel filter for your aquarium. But you need to consider certain factors. Here are they:

Aquarium Size

Before choosing an undergravel filter, you must first consider your aquarium size. Check if the size of a particular filter nicely fits your aquarium. For example, if you own between 60-90 gallon aquarium, Lee’s 70/90 Premium Undergravel Filter 18-Inch by 48-Inch should be your potential undergravel filter option. And if you own a small aquarium of may 5 gallons, Aquarium Equip ISTA Undergravel Filter might be a great buy.

Additional Components

As aforementioned, some Undergravel filter uses an air pump while others may require powerheads. Bigger aquariums usually require powerheads rather than a simple air pump. UGFs like Aquarium Equip ISTA Undergravel Filter will be a good option.
You can use it with air pump, filter pulp, hang-on-back filters, and submersible powerhead to improve circulation into the tank.

Filtration type

If you don’t need chemical filtration or your undergravel filter only functions as your secondary filter, then there’s absolutely nothing to worry about.

However, if your aquarium requires chemical filtration, then don’t rely on undergravel filter that performs only biological and mechanical filtration.
You may go for brands like Lee’s 70/90 Premium Undergravel Filter 18-Inch by 48-Inch that supports the three filtration types.

How does Undergravel Filter work?

Undergravel works in a very simple mechanism. Water rushes down the gravel, trapping particles and debris. The tiny hole if the filter tray then sucks the particles and return into the tank through the uplift tube.

You can use these filters in outside ponds. However, you may need a powerhead to create a current strong enough to push the water down the gravel.

Here, the gravel acts as the media base of the filter that offers biological and mechanical filtration. Gravel with a large surface area is beneficial because it creates space for healthy bacteria.

Also, always siphon your gravel to keep it clean. It is important in the maintenance of the gravel.

Undergravel Filter Maintenance

The most common complaints about Undergravel filters is that they require a lot of commitment to maintenance. It’s important to maintain these filters because detritus and particles can develop inside the substrate.

Therefore, you need to regularly siphon the substrate to counter the issue of developing excessive junk in the substrate.

I’ll also advise you to use a good quality air pump or powerhead to allow a smooth flow of air from all corners of under the gravel as dead spots inhibit the development of bad bacteria.

Apart from regularly siphoning the substrate

I’d advise you to use a canister or HOB filter to eliminate tank particles and reduce how gunk enter the substrate.

Overfeeding your fish or overstocking the tank can cause the accumulation of materials which may enter the filter bed. So don’t overfeed or overstock your tank.

Below are four things to do to ensure a functional and problem-free aquarium.

• Don’t overstock the aquarium
• Don’t overfeed your fish
• Siphon your gravel and under the filter grids
• Use a HOB and canister filter to capture many floating particles.

Performing this maintenance routine will prevent you from having to dismantle your tank and get a new one because of excess accumulated dirt.

Benefits of UnderGravel Filter

The undergravel filter is beneficial in a series of ways, especially if you use them on your small or midsize aquariums.

Apparently, I recommend these best undergravel filters for aquariums under 90 gallons. I’ve seen experienced aquarium who have had success with using the filter on larger tanks.

Therefore, if you’re looking for an undergravel filter, here are benefits to expect:

Generally affordable

Undergravel filters are generally an inexpensive filter option, unlike other filter types.

Saves space

Undergravel filter for aquariums saves a lot of space because they gently sit beneath the substrate.

Easy setup

Undergravel filters are quite easily set up when assembling your aquarium. Just position the filter grid on the tank bottom, add the substrate, and that’s all!

Quiet operation

These filters are always quiet during operation. You may only hear the quiet vibration during operation. If you’ve tried different filter type and they seem noisy, Simply go for UG filters.

FAQ

Is it advisable to use a Canister Filter with Undergravel Filter?

Yes, you’re free to use a canister filter as a pre-filter by connecting them to a canister filter. All of our reviewed UGFs can work with a canister filter.
In fact, I’ll advise you to have a multi-filter set up for your aquarium because some UGF does not have a media for chemical filtration.

How much gravel should be on top of my undergravel filter?

I’ll recommend a minimum depth of around 76mm/3″, with the maximum gravel size of 2-5mm.

Do my undergravel needs clean?

You’ll need to clean your undergravel to keep them running effectively. Any dirt which stays unremoved will reduce the flow rate of water through the bed. The beneficial bacteria receive less oxygen, causing a reduction in water quality and overall poor performance.

How well should I clean the gravel?

How well you clean your gravel largely depends on water quality and how dirty it is.

Take a with large fish may require more maintenance than the ones with small tiny fish.

Do undergravel filters come in any size?

Yes, they come in various sizes made to snugly fit in your tank base. You can also use different places if you own a larger tank.

Conclusion

Although undergravel filters may not be one of the most common filters in the market they are worth a buy.

Undergravel filter’s operation is straightforward and they are quite easy to set up. It is easy to maintain and the operation is quite silent.

I hope I’ve provided you with enough information to help you pick the best undergravel filter.

With our detailed and comprehensive information, you should be able to make your choice based on your aquarium, its requirement, and your budget. Good luck!