glad I found this thread, I am starting out a 72G and only using undergravel filter should I be using somthing more?
filter choice for a new tank
- Thread starter kdogg
- Start date
Get a HOB or a Canister. It will help a lot with keeping the water clean because of the filter media in it.
Undergrounds are good filters but do a search for RUGF or reverse underground filters. They are a much better choice and use pretty much the same equipment. Still adding a small canister or HOB would be a good idea as well. And many people don't like UGF's when they have planted tanks.
ya I am planting my tank... kind of sucks I allready have it all set up wish I would have found this earlyer. do you think the undergravel filter will work ok for a couple weeks to a month while I have just a few plants and fish untill I find a better method or backup method?
Its not a good idea to use a UGF with live plants. If possible pull out the UGF and add the canister or HOB.
It also depends on the plants you want to grow. Things like Amazon swords and other heavy root plants will want a good substrate to grow in so the UGF won't be a good idea. Something more like java fern will work fine as it mostly uses it's roots to hold onto a surface. But all in all a UGF usually isn't a great idea with a planted tank and it will be best served comign out, the sooner you do it the easier it will be to get things settled. But I wouldn't do the switch until you know what sort of susbtrate you are going to use to replace it with and have that all ready to go. Do the change over once.
Any more questions on that will be best for the planted forums.
Any more questions on that will be best for the planted forums.
