Power filter vs. underwater gravel filter
- Thread starter fishy_foo
- Start date
Hello; When I started fish keeping, undergravel filters were the norm. I used them for decades. I also used them with additional HOB power filters. I do not have any in operation righ now, but do have a couple in boxes somewhere. I cannot recall ever having a problem with a tank related to the undergravel type filter. They do not remove any detritis from a tank, so I usually have some sort of external filter in operation at the same time.
I did read in a post that a member said they were hard to clean. In my use they were never cleaned as a part of routine tank care, so I did not understand what was meant by that. I put them under the gravel and left them alone untill the tank was taken down for a total redo, usually many years later.
I did read in a post that a member said they were hard to clean. In my use they were never cleaned as a part of routine tank care, so I did not understand what was meant by that. I put them under the gravel and left them alone untill the tank was taken down for a total redo, usually many years later.
The under gravel filter can build up waste under the filter plate that may not be removed by vacuuming. The newer filters that hang on the back of the tank are so much better at removing waste when equipped with a power head or two that are pointed at the bottom of the tank to kick up the waste so the hang on back filter can catch it.
Hello; The undergravel filters that I have used did not accumulate much debris under the filter. I kept them running with air bubbles all the time. I almost always keep rooted plants in a tank and often found some roots had penetrated the grid (especially crypts). I do not use them alone any more and have some sort of filter that picks up the detritis.
I use UG and HOB both on each tank. I have aquaclear heads in each corner on the pilars attached to the UG and I have an AQUACLEAR HOB on the back of each.
The thing with UG is that you don't "clean" them, it is a natural bacteria bed. They don't work well with SA/CA cichlids or anything that digs really bad because they keep disturbing the bacteria. If you already have the plates and a powerhead I would set it up, if not I wouldn't worry about it much. I like them because I like a real fast current in my tank for my plecos. I don't have nitrate issues and my tanks have all been up and running for years.
It's important to remember that filters don't "clean" your tank, they provide a place for nautral bacteria to live that does the cleaning for you, they also catch extra food and floaters but thats about it.
The thing with UG is that you don't "clean" them, it is a natural bacteria bed. They don't work well with SA/CA cichlids or anything that digs really bad because they keep disturbing the bacteria. If you already have the plates and a powerhead I would set it up, if not I wouldn't worry about it much. I like them because I like a real fast current in my tank for my plecos. I don't have nitrate issues and my tanks have all been up and running for years.
It's important to remember that filters don't "clean" your tank, they provide a place for nautral bacteria to live that does the cleaning for you, they also catch extra food and floaters but thats about it.
