everyones thoughts on undergravel filters.............

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johnnynoxville

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May 20, 2003
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the title says it all.......
i would like to hear everyones thoughts (good or bad) on undergravel filtration........
pros vs. cons? etc etc etc.........
any and all comments welcome!
thanks!
 
As with everything, it depends. Live plants won't like them. Digging fish, like cichlids, will render them useless. On the other hand, if you are just keeping fish and plastic plants, they are fine. I used to run systems for years with them. The keys to happiness, IMO, are proper depth, grain size and vacuuming regularly. About an inch, no more than 2" of #2 river gravel, vacuuming and changing water weekly to keep it from channeling and becoming fouled, will be a very workable system.
Frankly, though, I prefer hang-on-back power filters. Pull debris into the media, rather than into the gravel, so it's easier to remove. The only benefit I can think of for UG filters is that they're cheap.
 
I used one for a while, I would think good only on small tanks.
When I used one I also used a hob filter. Think about it,
what are two little carbon blocks gonna do? So only small tanks
with a light fish load would I use them. Also the up take tubes get a little dirty and when you discont them to clean you get gravel in the plate that has to be removed to put the intake back in and its a real hasle. Canisters are far easier, even easier, hobs.
 
1. RUGF (reverse undergravel filter) using sponged powerhead(s) is a much better route imo.
2. RUGF set up properly is likely the best bio-filter available.
3. RUGF can be used in planted tanks. However, you should not use it with sand or very fine gravel.
4. RUGF can be used in large tanks.
5. RUGF should be used in combo w/ other filters for mech and chem filtration.
6. RUGF will keep gravel cleaner than the same tank w/o one. It will keep particulates suspended in the water an allow the mech filtration to remove them.
7. RUGF/UGF wont work in sand bottom tanks or with fish that rearrange the substrate.
 
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Just my opinion... I think they are an outdated method of aquarium "filtration".

The filters I use, actually remove debris from my tanks, and not 'store' drebis in the gravel for later vacuum removal. -And even worse, store debris under the plastic plates where it cannot be removed by vacuuming.
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by 80gJoe
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Just my opinion... I think they are an outdated method of aquarium "filtration".

The filters I use, actually remove debris from my tanks, and not 'store' debris in the gravel for later vacuum removal.
Click to expand...

Amen! I can't imagine that it's a good thing to take debris and push it under the substrate...each year, having to remove the substrate and then clean the dang thing...risking anoxic conditions in the tank and killing your fish. That's if you do it right, from what I understand...if you just leave it, it's safer, but improper management...
 
i think they are old and they suck, but i have them on some of my tanks. so i cant really be a judge i use them, jsut for the extra bio filtration in addition to canisters and HOBs. i am in the process of removing them tho. but for the beginner they can be an essential part of the aquarium because i know many people who just have a 10g and a ugf and they seem to be fine like that. u figure
 
Although they arent the most efficient, can be a hassle, and are outdated, I still think UG's have a place in the hobby today. It is possible to keep plants successfully with them, I have seen it done, although they are not the best option for a planted tank. I used to use an UG on a 10Gal, and it worked great. Admittidly I soon changed it to a fluval internal filter when I got the chance, but that was only for silence and ease of use. I wouldnt be so quick to put a UG down...
 
I just took mine out a week ago after having it in the tank for 4 months.... and remarkably 2 hours after my water was the clearest it was ever.
 
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