How to Set up a Powerhead in an Aquarium

An undergravel filter is a good choice for both small and large fish tanks. This type of filter provides biological filtration by housing the beneficial bacteria that efficiently break down fish waste and uneaten food. You can make your undergravel filter even more efficient and powerful by adding a powerhead. The powerhead pulls water through the undergravel filter more efficiently, allowing the biological processes to work even better.

Things You'll Need

  • Undergravel filter
  • Gravel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the undergravel filter on the bottom of your aquarium. There should be no gravel in the tank at this point.

    • 2

      Insert the intake tubes into the holes on the undergravel filter. These intake tubes should be in the back of the tank at the two corners.

    • 3

      Cover the undergravel filter with two to three inches of gravel. Rake the gravel until it is even.

    • 4

      Insert the powerhead into one of the intake tubes. Push gently on the top of the powerhead until it is firmly seated inside the intake tube. Insert the other powerhead into the other intake tube if you are using multiple powerheads.

    • 5

      Fill the aquarium with water until the tank is full. Plug the powerheads into a power outlet. You should see the water moving out of the powerhead as it draws the water up through the undergravel filter to remove impurities.