Ugf/rugf

[zazz]

Can I switch from a UGF,run by airstone, to an RUGF?
I mean while the tank is up and running and all, with the fish in there etc, or would that be an astounding disater?
The ugf has been running about 1 month, about 1/4 of the bottom of the tank has rocks on top of the gravel. It has about 8 or 9 rooted plants. vacuumed as possible, once aweek,plus.TIA

20 Gal
5 Chocolate gouramis
1 otocinclus
1 mystery snail

 

[daveedka]

Switching over is usually an O.K. act. It is however very depoendant on how well you maintained the UGF. If there are large pockets of stagnated mulm under the plates (and there should not be) then you pose a risk by reversing. I have reversed UGf tanks as much as 3 years old without issue, but I would say plan to test frequently the first day or two and be prepared for large volume water changes if things go a little haywire. In theory if everything is maintained and running well there should be no side effect at all with reversing the flow. With plants you will be better off with reverse, and given that you have a new set-up there shouldn't be any concern.
Dave