? about the small filters on the top of the UGF tubes

[J&JsTA]

I recently bought my daughter a 20 gallon tank to replace her 5 and have everything running fine but noticed that the small carb/floss filters on the top of the UGF tubes seem to restrict the water flow somewhat. When I had my 60 g some years ago we never had filters on the top of the tubes and the water flowed nicely and seem to work just fine. I also have an aqua-clear 150 running along with the UGF. My question being, is it necessary to have those small carb/floss filters in place or can I remove them without issue or have they been deemed necessary in recent years....


... I had thought about 2 small power heads but that is extra $$ right now my daughter hasn't earned ;)

Thx Joe

[kveeti]

The little filters are not necessary. They are really too small to do much of anything. Besides, even in an HOB filter, you do not need carbon. You will probably have to get something else to fit over the ends.

A lot of people will say UGF's are outdated and you should not use it at all.

[J&JsTA]

Originally posted by kveeti
The little filters are not necessary. They are really too small to do much of anything. Besides, even in an HOB filter, you do not need carbon. You will probably have to get something else to fit over the ends.

A lot of people will say UGF's are outdated and you should not use it at all.

I figured I would have a look and attempt to remove the carbon/floss and leave the cap that it came in on the front of the tube just to block the hole...... as for the UGF it is in place now and the tank is nicely settled(balanced). I don't have a great interest in pulling it apart right now unless I run into complications with the UGF(non-planted tank), I kind of like the biological part of it, remember, I'm coming from my tank days of 20 years ago, UGFs were in then ;)

[kveeti]

Hey, I use a UGF myself. I was just trying to forewarn you of what seems to be the general consensus. :)

You should be able to buy replacement (non-filter) ends that would fit over the rise tubes. They are just plastic, don't know that they could be too expensive. But I agree with fiddling with the old part first. I like 'adapting' things for my tanks as well.

[Alainuws]

I have the same UGF as you.
It came with 2 types of heads, 1 with floss/charbon and the other just plain heads.
I used the floss/charbon for about a week then replaced them with the regular one.

After a couple of weeks, i got tired of the noise that the air pump was doing so i got 2 power heads to put on the tubes.

Less noise and better water circulation. I bought 2x hagens 201 power heads for my 29 gallon tank.

I also have a AC 150 as second filter.