To use undergravel system with biowheel for 34gal hexagon tank setup

[speakez]

Hello all! I'am a newbie to the fish world but many of my friends have been doing fresh water for years and some say I need a undergravel system with my penquin biowheel 170 in order to have a dual filteration capacity and others say I only need a power head to get more flow and that undergravel systems will in time hurt my tank with buildup in the plates? My aquarium set up is 34 gal hex, 170biowheel (160gph) maxi-jet 600 power head,and a Jager 150watt heater. I have gone to various fish stores and some say no and some say yes to the undergravel system.... :)

[pinballqueen]

It all depends on what you're going to put in the tank. If you are planning on plants or fish that burrow or dig, or if you're putting a sand substrate in, don't bother with the UGF. It will be useless for those applications.

If you're concerned about filtration capacity, go with a different filter system entirely. Either a new HOB that is rated for a tank bigger than what you have, but will still fit on the hex framework, or, if that isn't possible, a canister filter.

[Hebdizzle]

do you guys actually even clean out your UGF every couple months? Take a wet vac to the return pipes....

everyone complains of buildup but I haven't ever had a prob.. but I wasn't sure if I was the only one to do this.

[pinballqueen]

No wet vac needed. A gravel vac does all that for you without heavy machinery. Me, I do mine once a week.

As long as you keep the proper level of cleaning up on one, they aren't too bad for supplemental filtration. I wouldn't suggest it as a primary source, though.

[Hebdizzle]

hey good point pinball queen.... it has just always seemed easier for me to use the vac but I will switch :)