Undergravel Filters

[Benson]

Hey everyone,

What is the deal with undergravel filters? I am reading in multiple places that they are bad. I visited two LFS and asked them and they both swore by them...

I have a 29 gallon aquarium with a Whisper 30 -40 power filter plus the ugf. I'm still cycling the tank with 5 Danios, an african frog and a couple of Dwarf Gouramis.

Thanks for any information!

[pinballqueen]

UGF filters are not bad by any stretch of the imagination, as long as you take proper care of them to keep them doing their job.

They have their applications, but they are not for everyone's tank. People who have high bioloads, fish that dig, live plants, or sand substrates either cannot use at all, or would get no benefit from them. In my opinion, there are much better filters out there, but for supplemental filtration, they are not bad if you have the right situation for them.

[Benson]

Thanks for the information! I'll keep on using it with my power filter.

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by pinballqueen
UGF filters are not bad by any stretch of the imagination, as long as you take proper care of them to keep them doing their job............ In my opinion, there are much better filters out there, but for supplemental filtration, they are not bad if you have the right situation for them. Ok, I've calmed down..LOL :D
As this is 'newbie' area, it might be good to explain 'proper care'.
Just a thought... ;)

[pinballqueen]

Okay, proper care of a UGF:

Make sure the substrate is covering it evenly, with no high hills of gravel, or any pits.

Vacuum the substrate at least once a week to remove any debris that might be clogging the filter.

Make sure the airstones and powerheads that run the system are in good repair. Replace any worn-out airstones, and clean the powerhed frequently(if you have such an arrangement. Most ugf owners don't have a powerhead to circulate the water, just an airstone)

Don't have fish that dig or plants that root.

... that's about it, I think...

[Benson]

Thanks pinballqueen for the follow-up information. That helps a great deal!

What kind of setup do you have??

[RTR]

The article below is not aimed at newbies, but covers maintenance and UG variations.

http://www.aaquaria.com/aquasource/rtrrfug.shtml

HTH

[125gJoe]

http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
RTR,
Great article on UGF's! I thought shutting down the air flow, or water (powerhead) on the UGF and then vacuuming would be a good way to maintain the "filter"... Is this the right way? Just wondering... The UGF's I had didn't 'work' that good - to say the least - even with vacuum maintenance. Over time they failed... Live plants - no way...

[125gJoe]

http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
Thanks Pinballqueen... Same question..

Or, would that allow debris to scatter some before a vacuum could take care of it??

Just a thought to help UGF users..

[RTR]

My RFUGs are maintained with the power off to avoid the chance of forcing air under the plate. If I still operated conventional flow, I'd probably/certainly shut them down for vacuuming as well. I've never seen any downside to that. Of course, that assumes you will not forget to turn everything back on afterward - which I have done. :eek:

Edit: Just BTW, but after hearing some of the "pros" talk about it, I am testing RFUG with deep substrate and heavily planted, solely water coumn ferts. It has only been a few months, so not mature yet, but so far it is fine. I'm not sure I see any advantage to this idea, but I just had to try as I never have before. I'll publish the results in a few years.

[Benson]

pinballqueen, RTR, 80gjoe... what types of filters do you use? What do you recommend for a 29 gallon freshwater tropical tank?

Thanks everyone for all of the information! It really helps us newbies!!!

:)

[pinballqueen]

I've not had a 29 gallon in a very long time, and I was just starting out when I had a tank that small, so I am pretty sure I made a few mistakes....

My 29 gallon had a Whisper filter (one of the really old ones... not sure the model or anything...) supplemented with a UGF. I had a very lightly stocked tank, mostly swords and platies, and fake plants. I didn't have it for long before I upgraded to a 72 gallon custom...

My current setups are probably overkill for what I really have right now. I've got a 55 gallon, soon to be single-specimen tank (I'm having a hard time getting the fish I want in the store because they have to import it from Africa. Not much coming this way right now because of the war...), with a Emperor 380 and a UGF, and will soon have a Fluval 404 or the equivalent (at which point I plan on removing the UGF and planting the tank.).
I also have a 10-gallon guppy tank with another, no-name HOB filter and a sponge in the corner. Breeder fish for the monster that's going in the 55...
Finally, I have a 2-gallon betta tank with a UGF and another sponge.

As far as maintainence, I just shut all the air pumps down and vacuum as normal on everything but the 10 gallon (sand substrate, I can just skim the surface...)

[RTR]

Benson - I use primarily internal and external canisters, but also W/D, FBF, RFUG and veggie filters.

What I would do with a given tank depends on what I am using the tank for. Right now I have only one 29 up. It has an external bio-only canister (Eheim 2211)

http://www.aaquaria.com/aquasource/cannister.shtml

and two old Fluval 2 internals (not identical to the current model I don't believe) as mechanical-only. It is very heavily planted and houses a school of Green-eyed Rasboras plus some Amano shrimp and Red Ramshorn snails.

About the only thing I don't use is HOBs - personal prejudice there. I can hear them, so will not use them. Also they are not the best for planted tanks due to surface distruption. For me, filters are like Victorian children - they should be seen (if desired) and not heard.