undergravel filters

#1
ok you can all lecture me all you want but ive never used an undergravel filter in my life(not that ive been in the hobby long)is that bad.i know people who havent but ive been sdoing research and it seems as if it could help but you dont need it.am i wrong for thinking that?
 

OCCFan023

Superstar Fish
Jul 29, 2004
1,817
5
0
36
New Jersey
#2
UGF will be a hassel your much better off with any HOB type filter over a under gravel filter. UGF's tend to become clogged with gunk causing masive headaches with paramaters and even make it difficult with water chnages and gravel vaccuming.

Also when they do become clogged or become non functional the only way to replace or fix them is to tear the entire tank down.

Your much better off with a HOB filter and not a UGF.
 

homebunnyj

Superstar Fish
Jul 13, 2005
1,299
4
0
Western NC
#4
If you feel like you need extra filtration you can put on another hotb or add a canister type filter. For a humongous tank, I think I'd run a canister and a hotb just for backup. I am no expert on that, though, since my biggest tank is 50gal.
 

Sep 11, 2005
749
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49
Philadelphia
www.myspace.com
#5
There's really no need for a UGF system in any tank, though there are those among us who insist that a reverse flow UGF is a great investment because it gives a huge surface area for bacteria, requires no media, and requires only periodic maintenance.

Personally I think it's too much worry for someone like me, but if it's something that interests you then look into it. Again, it's really not a necessary or seriously beneficial thing. But....

Several people on aquariacentral.com (I know daveedka is one of them) swear by RFUGFs and they might be able to help you with it.
 

Sep 11, 2005
749
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49
Philadelphia
www.myspace.com
#7
There are many people who will disagree with that statement. I have no experience in the planted tank with UGF department but I've heard of people growing perfectly healthy and thriving planted tanks with UGFs. So I think that is a piece of conventional wisdom that should be seriously questioned.
 

Orion

Ultimate Fish
Moderator
Feb 10, 2003
5,803
3
38
Kentucky
www.thefishcave.net
#8
I don't think it needs to be questioned too much however.

I've never tried it, but if you have a UGF filter plate and are growing plants, then if the plants are the type that grow a nice healthy root system then the roots are going to get tangled up in the filter plate. This will not only make it difficult to move the plants, but if you did want to move them, you would most likely have to cut the roots to get the plant loose. Some trimming of the roots isn't bad, but for some species it can take them some time to recover.

But if your just going to plant it once and forget it then I don't see it being an issue. But I don't know anyone like that.
 

Rush07

Large Fish
Mar 1, 2006
252
1
0
Oneida, NY
#15
I run a whisper 60 HOB and Fluval 305 in my 55. I have had no problems with either and the filtration is great. I find the Fluval very easy to clean and service, though I have heard others here say that their are better canisters out there for a little more money.
 

Triple88a

Small Fish
Jul 9, 2006
16
0
0
#18
noncentric said:
Hi Bala...just thought I'd add to the other comments that UGF's and planted tanks don't mix well.
:)
I would say planted tank and UGF are great mix... my plants burried over the ugf grew twise the size of the plants burried over a no ugf area in ~3 months.

ps: My UGF pulled water out. I used my wisper water filter instead of a powerhead.