Pros & Cons? ~ Undergravel Filters

[Rob&Sarah]

Rob and I are looking into using an undergavel filter in conjunction with our "regular" filter. What are some Pros & Cons to undergravel filters? Any advice/input/information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

FYI, We have 29gallon freshwater tank.

 

[JSchmidt]

Pros:
- inexpensive
- reliable


Cons:
- if not properly maintained, can cause buildup of bad stuff in gravel
- not good with fish who dig
- export of waste is much harder
- no separation of mech and bio filtration

UGFs are OK, if properly maintained, although many people have moved on to other economical alternatives (e.g., HOB power filters). If you're going to use UGF, you should look into reverse flow UGF (RUGF). These force water down under the UGF plates and then up through the gravel. That way fish waste isn't pulled into the gravel, as it is in regular UGFs.

Jim

 

[OCSupertones]

I stopped using UGF's when i went from a 60 to 135 gallon tank.

When i tore down my 60, there was some nasty thick black gunk under the plate. I siphoned regularly, and had good filtration.

Thats my personal experience, now i dont have one, and i think i like it better, not to mention it looks nicer without the uplift tubes

 

[RTR]

http://www.aaquaria.com/aquasource/rtrrfug.shtml

HTH