I would like everybodys views on UGF's

In the time I've kept aquariums (just over 10 years) I used UGF for several of them. They work fine if you follow the precautions such as vac the gravel regularly, use pots so plants down clog the pores, keep sensible stocking levels etc. I always used them with a HOB. I have since discarded them as of changing over to Eheims and Aquaclears. When I did have the UG I did have exceptional water quality.

I guess it is like comparing a carburettor to Electronic Fuel injection. The carby has no technology but still works in many applications, but EFI gives you a world of possibilities. To a person on a budget the UG can be a great tool, especially if they come free with a tank package. But I have noticed that some internal power filters are about the same price as UG's. I am not trying to talk anyone out of UG's, they worked for me, but if you can afford the Eheims then you'll never look back.
 
The UGF was originally designed to run by air pump which IMO works better than Power Heads. The air pump provides a slow flow just enough to settle the solid waste on the gravel surface whereby the bacteria digest and powerderize it. By the time the gunk got pulled underneath the plate, there is no more nitrate value left. So the air lift UGF will not act as a nitrate reservoir and regular water change can keep nitrate down. There is evidence that some denitrification is occuring as bubbles do come up when the gravel is disturbed and that the gunk underneath the plate is tainted black suggesting iron sulfide formation. On the other hand, power head driven UGF is so powerful that solid waste is pulled underneath the plate before bacteria have a chance to fully digest it. So doing large water change may not reduce the nitrate because there is a large nitrate reservoir underneath the plate. It's equivalent to sweeping dirt underneath the bed and gives one a false security that out of sight is out of problem.
 
As I have the rep of being an Eheim fanatic, I think I'm pretty up on what canisters do and don't do, but this does not mean I have done away with all my RFUGs, or ever have any intention of doing so. The most recently reset tank of mine uses RFUG, and is in process of being planted now. But I do not suggest that for novices. But then I'm anti-HOB for planted tanks, so I do have my preferences as do others.

I'll agree with Tiger15 that most folk severely overpower conventional-flow UG.

BTW, all the downsides mentioned for UG in this thread do not occur with prefiltered reverse flow undergravel filtration. Provided of course that the tank-keeper rinses the prefilters frequently and regularly.
 
Look at my name and you'll get my feelings on them...


Like it has been said over and over in this thread...do your maintenance and you won't have problems...that holds true for many things in life.
 
PTR, thanks for agreeing on something. But I dissagree with prefiltering a filter. Placing an UGF or canister in series with a prefilter is redundant. The prefilter is a sponge filter that can be used as an effective stand alone filter for mechanical and biological filtration. When the waste is filtered through the sponge, it has already been fully or nearly fully digested. So the cansiter or UGF in series is a redundant piece of equipment that can be done without.

I am in favor of simple filtration and sponge filter IMO is an excellet filter and it is no wonder a favorite among discus keepers. If not because I hate the sight of a big chunk of sponge, I would use it in my show tanks.
 
Originally posted by RTR
I absolutely love it when newcomers to the hobby damn UG/RFUG as being "old" and "outdated".
Click to expand...
Reverse UGF may be acceptable -- my opinion on UGF's is that they are OUTDATED and OLD when it comes to filtration. I mentioned in the past about why anyone would want to 'store crud' at the bottom of their tank? It doesn't make any sense to me, nor should it make sense to those thinking about water quality of their aquarium. When I was "newer" to the hobby, I did have a UGF in my 20 gallon. I also had a HOB since I knew the UGF wouldn't work solo at keeping the tank clean.
Perhaps these days UGF's have 'portholes' where you can get your Python in and get rid of the crud. I haven't seen the need to check into that...

Then again - UGF's are better than none at all... :)
 
UGs do not "store crud" if they are properly maintained, any more than HOBs store crud on the back of the tank, same difference. Or than canisters store crud underneath the tank. Maintenance is the key to any filter, select the one that suits what you are willing or capable of doing.

Tiger15 - prefiltering a filter is common and practical - Eheim even sells them. An RFUG pump is not a filter - a pump is a pump. The filter is the UG, and if you want it for bio, it is prudent to prefilter it. Ditto the bio-only canisters I run - not to prefiler them would defeat their purpose and lessen their function. If you choose not to do so, fine, your choice. But don't try to preach that a standard laboratory proceedure is suddenly undesirable when applied to a fishtank. And if I don't count on those prefilters for bio, I can rinse them well under the tap without any concern for bacterial damage. To me this is faster, easier, and cleaner
 
I have a UG in all my tanks powered by a pump with digging cichlids, and have never had a problem. I just vacumm the gravel whenever I do a water change.

Anything that has been aroung so long, and is still used today is OK in my book.
 
The problem with them is regular maintenance,as all the other post as stated that UGFs need regular maintenance,for people who are busy or just plain lazy to do maintenance but would like to see the fishes,this isn't the right filter.Other filters are not as regular in terms of maintenance as UGFs.
 
I almost agree with you Serrateeth_2002, except for one thing. The main beef most people seem to have is with the crud. This accumulates in HOB, canisters, or any other type filter without regular removal. UGF's have there place as do other filter types. Are they the most effiecent? Probably not but they do do what they were designed to do with no problems.
 
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