will this filtration work in my 90

[fastlane]

I have a 90 gallon that is currently using a ugf powered by 2 hagen 403's. I housed an 18" plus cobra snakehead in it for years and it worked well. Well my cobra is no longer with me so I just purchased a serr. elongatus and being that they are pickier as to water parameters I figured I want to step up the filtration. I am going to do away with the ugf because of the nitrate issue. I dug my fluval 404 out of the closet hooked it up and like clock work it ate another impeller. So here is what I am doing. I am ditching the fluval. I ordered an emperor 400 and an aquaclear 500 powerfilter. Will these two in conjunction be enough to sustain a bioload? Also, after a month of running these two filters (when they have built up a sufficient bioload) can I just pull the intake tubes out of the ugf and cover up the holes with gravel and leave the ugf plates in there. I would like to avoid tearing apart my tank to take the plates out. Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks, Travis

[NJ Devils Fan]

Welcome to AC! :)

You won't find many fans, if any, here for ugfs. I think that if you are only moderately or lightly stocking, it will be ok. It will be a turnover rate of 10x which is good.

[Aquaskilz]

UGF?? They still make those?? I say what you are using is pretty good depending if you are siphoning the gravel and conducting water changes regularly. Now if you find that the filters you are using isnt enough and you are not tramatized by using the 404, The fluval 403 is new and improved. I had mine for 2 1/2 years with no problem. If you are tramatized go wth the Ehiem filter there a bit more exspesive though but does an excellent job filtering larger aquariums. Anybody disagree?

[beviking]

Sounds like a good plan fastlane. I have absolutely no experience with ugf's but I can't see how leaving the plates in will bother anything. I wonder if something non-beneficial would grow in the plates where you wouldn't be able to clean well? Probably not since oxygen should be free to circulate within.
Emperor and Aquaclear? Are you testing to see which you like better? Going with the Emperor b/c of the bio-wheel? Just curious. There are fans of both and both work.

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by beviking
.... I have absolutely no experience with ugf's but I can't see how leaving the plates in will bother anything. ..... My opinion is to get rid of the plates so there's no chance of more 'rotting' going on underneath the plates. It will be somewhat of a chore getting rid of the plates, but know that you are only getting rid of the plates once, and not having this as a routine 'thorough' cleaning as you would if you keep the UGF.

[beviking]

If you cover it up with gravel, what is going to get down in there to rot? Esp. if you vaccum it out at regular intervals? (I know, I know, but just in case others were thinking this it can be answered.):cool:

BTW- thanks for making my ignorance a billboard Joe!;)

[JSchmidt]

I think it might be safer to remove the UGF plates. I'd be concerned about gunk below the plates, about dead water, about anaerobic pockets forming... any reason NOT to remove the UGF plates?

Jim

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by beviking
If you cover it up with gravel, what is going to get down in there to rot? ......BTW- thanks for making my ignorance a billboard Joe!;) He stated that he's using UGF's in the first sentence. There's most likely stuff under there. Ignorance? I just made an ovservation and suggestion trying to help out... ;)