I am going to install a undergravel system in my 20 gallon tank adn the system has two plates and not a single one. DOes this mean that i need to get two powerhead motors or do i only need one. Also should i get two 20 gallon powerheads or two 10. Thank you for any help you can give my fish and i they greatly appreciate it.
undergravel filtration question
- Thread starter maxman
- Start date
You will need 2 PHs. When in doubt, go big (when it comes to filtration - opposite is true w/ fish & stocking).
PS - Welcome to AC!
PS - Welcome to AC!
I would get two 10 gallon power heads. Do you have another source of filtration? If not I would suggest a 30 gallon power filter that pumps 150-ish gallons per hour such as Whisper 30 or Penguin 150.
Daniel
Daniel
reptileguy..... UGFs are a great biofilter that many people still use. Just because it isn't the newest tech doesn't meen it is not worth using.
I would say the power heads you use would depend on the fish you plan to stock. Some fish do not like a lot of current... others love it.
I would say the power heads you use would depend on the fish you plan to stock. Some fish do not like a lot of current... others love it.
Not from my experience. I know there are some people who swear that if properly maintained they are fine, but since almost all end up as debris trapping nitrate fields and there are better options out there for your money, why use them? They work. But they are more maintenance and still should have other filtration in addition to them. Bicycles work, but it takes longer and there are better options. Of course UGFs work, but that doesn't mean they are the best option. I personally like to do what is best for my fish, not just what works and is good enough.
maxman: Why are you using an UGF? Do you already have it and just want to make use of it? Are you going to have any other filtration on the tank? What fish are you planning on having?
maxman: Why are you using an UGF? Do you already have it and just want to make use of it? Are you going to have any other filtration on the tank? What fish are you planning on having?
They take as much work as any filter. Takign apart a canister is no more difficult. HOB's need lots of work as well, the impellor has to be cleaned, the sponges refreshed, the tubes cleared out.
Maxman: If you haven't bought the while system yet seriously take a look at RUGF. A search should find some good info. It makes the UGF run in reverse pushing the debris through the plate rather than pulling it in. A lot of people swear by them.
Maxman: If you haven't bought the while system yet seriously take a look at RUGF. A search should find some good info. It makes the UGF run in reverse pushing the debris through the plate rather than pulling it in. A lot of people swear by them.
If you're going that route anyway, I also recommend reverse-flow undergravel. I ran it in a brackish tank for a few years...as long as you keep sponges over the powerhead intakes and keep them clean, its far superior to regular UGF.
There is much less work involved with HOBs and canisters. I never said the others were no work, just less work. And when people do slack off the consequences are less in HOBs and canisters. Life happens and sometimes we can't keep up as much as we should. When this happens there is not much problem with HOBs and canisters. To keep UGFs and RUGFs clean they NEED weekly maintenance and even then years down the road still end up causing more problems. As said, they work, but there are much better options out there that cost about the same, sometimes less. UGFs are simply a holdover from three decades ago. They were the best then, but not anymore. Most people don't use the same heaters or lights as were used 30 years ago, why not upgrade filtration as well.