Just got my tank together and i'm new at this but I put in a undergravel filter with an air pump, would you recommend another filter than hangs over the top of the tank I do have an old one laying around I just need to get new stuff to put in side it. Sorry i'm new at this also what would I need to get to put inside the filter unit that hangs from the top of the tank and how much?
20 Gallon UGF Question???
- Thread starter PHENOM80
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Either type of filter will work just as well...a lot of people dont use a UGF because in order to clean it you have to tear the tank apart. HOB (hang on back) filters are usually easier to take care of and do maintenance on.
As far as "what you need to put in" the filter...I'm not entirely sure what you mean...unless you have a filter that doesn't take cartridges and then you should just put some floss in it "filter media". If its too old and you dont know the brand or can't get a picture of it (so someone here can suggest how it works) then a new one for a 20G tank shouldn't be more than 30 dollars or so? From what I hear they have come a long ways in the past 20 years...I dont know how old "old" is.
Welcome to the tank
As far as "what you need to put in" the filter...I'm not entirely sure what you mean...unless you have a filter that doesn't take cartridges and then you should just put some floss in it "filter media". If its too old and you dont know the brand or can't get a picture of it (so someone here can suggest how it works) then a new one for a 20G tank shouldn't be more than 30 dollars or so? From what I hear they have come a long ways in the past 20 years...I dont know how old "old" is.
Welcome to the tank
Get a power head on the UGF filter and a regular filter.
for those you dont know how to clean a ugf without tearing the tank apart here what you do. Get a flexable siphon hose and run it down the tubes and under the filter then siphon the stuff out. if you have been doing your job with a UGF right you shouldnt have much under it to begin with
for those you dont know how to clean a ugf without tearing the tank apart here what you do. Get a flexable siphon hose and run it down the tubes and under the filter then siphon the stuff out. if you have been doing your job with a UGF right you shouldnt have much under it to begin with
If you would ever like to have live plants growing in your tank then it would be better to get rid of the UGF now as they are not generally good for live plants, especially ones with developed root structures such as sword plants and the like.
There are already a few threads here on using UGFs with live plants: http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1740&highlight=UGF
http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3827&highlight=UGF
http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8293&highlight=UGF
There are already a few threads here on using UGFs with live plants: http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1740&highlight=UGF
http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3827&highlight=UGF
http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8293&highlight=UGF
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You don't need a powerhead, but it will drastically increase the flow through the UGF plates. With an air pump only, the rising oxygen bubbles create a current that pulls water along with it. As water flows up through your uplift tubes, water must be pulled down through the gravel to replace the rising water. Using a powerhead instead of an air pump just increases the flow rate through the uplift tube. However, if you use a powerhead, I would only use one of the uplift tubes and cap the 2nd one off (if there is a 2nd one). Water will always take the path of least resistance, and if you have a powerhead on one uplift tube and an airstone on the other one, the powerhead will likely be pulling water through the other uplift tube instead of through the gravel.
About the HOB filter, do you know what kind it is? Usually there are cartridges you can buy specifically made for the type and size of HOB you have.
About the HOB filter, do you know what kind it is? Usually there are cartridges you can buy specifically made for the type and size of HOB you have.
I can explain the HOB it has a top that comes off which i'm sore they all do but it has another compartment on one half that you lift outand it looks like something need to go in it and slide back down, they may all seem stupid but i'm new. I like the air pump cause it's SO QUITE my brother has a power head and man is that thing noisy the way it moves the water I like my tank to be quite since it's in my bedroom thanks for the help....
There's a nice explanation of filter types and functions here that might help you out: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=16&cat=1979&articleid=2614
If you had a small type UGF 2-5 then you might not need a power head. but for a bigger tank 20 30 etc the power head will make the UGF more effective.
you can use air only if you like get seperate air pumps for each side or a really good dual pump. I would set it for full blast as much bubbles as you can so a good amount of water is drawn up through the lift tubes.
you can use air only if you like get seperate air pumps for each side or a really good dual pump. I would set it for full blast as much bubbles as you can so a good amount of water is drawn up through the lift tubes.
If you have a undergravel filter, get yourself a penguin 660 or higher. Thats all you need. It will work fine.. i've done this dozens of times. If you want a filter that hangs off the side, get rid of your undergravel filter cause you dont need it. You surly dont need "both" kinds of filters working...one its a waste of money, two its too much filtration. Anyways if you do go with a power filter, get a aquaclear they are great and reliable.
If you stick with the UGF, get the powerhead a model that has a reverse flow ... it will be easy to keep the UGF clean that way .... it will push the debris into the tank where your HOB can handle it. And, as mentioned, if you are going to have live plants, avoid the UGF. I would beg to differ that you can have too much filtration unless the current turns the tank into a washing machine.
From the way you describe the old HOB ... with the part that slides out and looks like something goes in it and slides back down ... you may have an AquaClear. They are, as mentioned, a very good filter and "bullet proof" as someone mentioned.
From the way you describe the old HOB ... with the part that slides out and looks like something goes in it and slides back down ... you may have an AquaClear. They are, as mentioned, a very good filter and "bullet proof" as someone mentioned.
