UGF removal

[TheZoo]

Other than taking the fish out, taking the plants and everything out and just pulling up the filter grates, is there a right way to remove it? If I just take out the tubes, what can I use to plug the big holes?

[Rbishop]

My UGs' came with plastic caps to put over unused tube collars. Not sure if I have seen them available at the LFS. Try a search on line, looking for replacement parts.

You might be able to fabricate something with some nylons and plastic electrical wire ties to block them off.

[petfairy]

Just a question about your post. Are you removing it because you dont want to use it anymore, or you just wont be using it for a little while. I guess im just confused why you would want to leave it in there when its not being used. I just started using one and im trying to get as much info as I can. And is there any particular reason you would take it out?

Janell

[Galaxie]

If you leave the grate in, but never use it, it is going to make a nice dirt trap that is nearly impossible to vacuum clean.

[Marinemom]

Why do you not want to use the UGF? How long has it been in the tank? Personally I'm not a fan of UGF. They tend to become dirt and debris collectors in time and that is something that we all do not need in this hobby.Do you have another filter that you are running now or do you just want to change the filteration method in your tank? If you do not plan on using this filer anymore, than I would pull it out of the system. I know this can be a pain but the tank will be better off in the long run. If and when you pull the UGF from your tank , expect a mini cycle at least depending on how long your tank has been up and running. I pulled one out of my 55 and this is what happened even though the tank had been up for more than 5 years. I hope it works out for you.

Be happy!

Marinemom

[Marinemom]

P.S. These are my first posts on this site. You probably don't know who I am. I like the site so I signed in. I've been fishkeeping for more than ten years and didn't know that sites like this even exsisted.

Marinemom

[TheZoo]

I have a penn plax cascade in my 20gal and a whisper 10i in my 10, along with UGF in both. Im just not sure that the ugf's are doing much in the way of filtering and i dont like the aesthetics of the vertical tubes that much.

If I remove either of them it will be the one in the 10, as its the least decorated and least populated tank. I REALLY dont want to get into that much moving around in the larger one. If I leave them in, I will keep them running, but was liking the idea ofhaving one less thing using up electricity.

How much of the crud underneath am I really removing during gravel vacs?
They both have inserts in the tubes for removing ammonia (zeolite?). Is it safe if I never change those out? Can I "recharge" them? Leave them empty?

[Star_Rider]

i have a 55 with a ugf .
just changed the 10 to a 20 removed the ugf..no big mulm build up after 1 year..i vac regularly..I reinstalled a rfug in my 20 as i heard these are better than a ugf.

i also have a 75 with a wet/dry no ugf in this tank since i want it a planted tank.

i hid the lift tubes on my 55 with plants

.
I am one of those guys that likes the ugf systems i like the extra bio filtering it provides.

[TheZoo]

How much gravel is recommended for a ugf to work properly? (I gravel vac weekly)

[mduros]

How much gravel is recommended for a ugf to work properly? (I gravel vac weekly)I have about an inch of gravel in my tanks. I have run into problems with my ugf just recently, and had to add a canister to one of my tanks. However, I am a die-hard fan of ugfs, and even grow plants in my tanks that have them. If you think that you have gunk building up under your gravel plate just put the siphon hose down the riser tube and siphon water directly from there. I'd leave your ugf in and run it in addition to the other filters. That's what I'm doing. ;)
Take care,
Mary.

[Star_Rider]

I have about an 1 -11/2 in my 55 with a powerhead on one end..I have swords in the tank..I don't vac much on the end with the swords..I added more light and the swords are doing pretty good.

I vac regularly..most of the time I am sucking up tubifex worms...arrggghh I tried to feed live tubifex once..now I have live tubifex in the tank ..

you can do a couple things if you think there is too much mulm...you can stick a siphon hose in or use a smaller line that can feed under the ugf and siphon that way.
but I found it's best to maintain a good vac schedule.