Azoo Circulated Pipe

[patliew]

Anyone used it before?
Do I still need subtrate if I install this?
What is it effect on a planted tank?

Thanks.

[DEA]

i'm trying to figure out what it is
any description?
never seen it before

[patliew]

It is a black pipe with holes in it.You have to put it under the gravel and conect it to a pump or your filter.
I asked the LFS shopkeeper and he don't know how to used it also.The explanation on the Azoo wedsite is also not very clear.
Just wondering if I use it,will it removed the nutrients in the subtrate,choke up my filter or I do not need any subtrate since it acts like some sort of undergravel filter.

[jacian]

I think you would still need the substrate.

If I am not wrong, it is something that function like a rainbar, but it shaped and run like a substrate heater. It needs a powerhead and is to be buried under the gravel. It suppose to help circulation in the substrate.

Correct me if I am wrong..

[patliew]

Yes, you are right.
If it help in the circulation,it's could be a good investment.
But,just wondering will all the find particles and nutrients in the subtrate be suck into the filter?

[Allen_1971]

OK from your description, it sounds very similar to using a Reverse undergravel filter... I have 2 issues with this... I believe what its trying to do is to mimic the effect of the undergravel heaters, but without the use of electrical cables

1. the convection current needed for the undergravel heaters to work is very small... it is unlikely that you can duplicate this well with the pipes... firstly your powerhead needs to be matched to the pipes, and secondly, you would probably find that the holes nearer the powerhead have stronger output compared to holes further away.

2. If your water flow is too strong, you may just find yourself leeching lots of ferts into your water column...

So all in all, I wouldn't recommend it.

[vinz]

Here's the website.

It is an undergravel filter (UGF), except that it uses a pipe system instead of the typical UGF filter plate. So yes, you still need to use gravel, else it won't function properly. I don't think you can use anything as fine as base fertiliser though. IMO, not very suitable for a typical planted tank.

[vinz]

Allen,

It's not a reverse UGF. I don't think they meant for it to replace UG heaters either. It's just an alternative design to the UGF plates.

[Alfa Low]

I find the principle of the product totally against the function of substrate heater as the pipe sucks in the water instead of generate the water flow from bottom,besides that it will sucks in the base fert gradually.Therefore i think you guys can save your money on this product.

[Allen_1971]

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On 1/6/2003 10:46:53 AM
It's not a reverse UGF. I don't think they meant for it to replace UG heaters either. It's just an alternative design to the UGF plates.
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Hmmm... Ok went to the webby and judging from the webby I think you're right its just a fancy UGF... I still wouldn't recommend it for planted tanks.

[ectan]

Extract from Aquarium World Mag. vol.52, the Taiwanese actually use this filter system for a planted tank setup.

From the diag., a fresh layer of sand, w/o fertilizer, is laid over the pipings.
A thin layer of fertilizer is then sprinkle over, then covered with another layer of sand.