Good Price?

[paradigmcubed]

Someone is selling a 40 gallon tank in my town's local advocate. It also comes with an undergravel filter and a emperor over the back filter, rocks etc. She wants $75 Is this a good deal or not?

Thanks

[ChilDawg]

If it's relatively new, yes. If not, it still might be, but you need to look very carefully at the condition.

[VoodooChild]

I think so. Around here 40 gallons will run at least that much and an Emperor is a pretty spendy HOB. I'd dump the undergravel though. Chil is definantly right though. Make sure the thing can still hold water.

[paradigmcubed]

Well, its actually in excellent condition and holds water, apparently she is moving and needs to get rid of it. Why do you think I should not use the undergravel filter?

Thanks

[andruboz]

i have a 20g tank with ugf and it works pretty good. i still felt the need to put a small whisper filter to suck the floatys out. i just like the idea that you have two types of filter on there in case the emperor craps out on you.

my lfs is a big believer in ugf, but it has its limitations. some fish like to dig. not good for ugf, and some people like plants- also not good with ugf.

ugf was a plenty good idea until the better designed hang-on-backs came along. now everybody who keeps fish has the extra 2-6 bucks a month to buy filters cartridges, so the fish stores are happy and the filter cartridge manufacturers are happy and i guess the fish are happy too.

[VoodooChild]

I don't like them because in my tanks I have cichlids that dig them up, plants that don't root well in them, or sand that sifts through the ugf. I stopped using them awhile ago and I just use the same sponges in my filters and rinse them out in the bucket of removed aquarium water when they need it and replace them every half a year or so. I thought my nitrates only got lower once I did it. And it's cheaper than buying those carbon cases every month. However, I never had any problems with them either. If it's working out for you then by all means use it. I'd recommend though putting powerheads on the tops instead of airstones/air pumps. More quiet, cheaper in the long run, and more water movement.

[Bristlenose Chuck]

I used to use UGF before I wisened up. :D . I have 3 large tanks and none of them have an UGF. They have been running for years. UGF's are nothing more than a timebomb that could go off. You see, they trap all the crap (literally) under the filter plate and it just sits there decaying without any way to get it out short of taking the whole thing out which is a major pain in the arse. I truely believe that UGF are just another device that local pet stores try to sell you on when you don't need it at all.

Just my rantings.
Chuck

[RENEGADE]

the whisper cabon is cheap!!!! i got a 12 pack for $12.99 and i only use one every 2 weeks so it will last me 6 months

[paradigmcubed]

I have noticed a fair amount of waste filling under my ugf and it has only been running for 2 weeks. A lot of the stones are falling under also.

[NJ Devils Fan]

I think that is a good deal. If you were to buy everything, you would be saving $20 or so.