UGF's

[ct-death]

I am considering this filtration myself, but you also mention that they typically work in conjunction with other chemical or mechanical filtration as well.

Is this necessary, or if not, what other care should be done to properly maintain the health of your system? For example I have a 75G tank w/ a Penguin 350 (HOB) bio-wheel for my filtration. First, I don't feel that this is enough, but I do a 50% WC weekly w/ thorough gravel vac'ing.

If I were to introduce a gravel-filter system (I am planning on re-doing my tank-scape shortly), what would be your council or suggestions?

Thanks to everyone in advance!

 

[musho3210]

UGF wont clean your gravel, it makes them dirty, and there not used in planted tanks. Reverse flow is better and keeps them clean but still not used in planted tanks

 

[ct-death]

Thanks BlueIZ for moving this for me

I am asking also b/c a LFS that I recently visited has ALL of her tanks (30 or so 15G tanks) running independently on UGFs. Nothing else...?

I got to talking to her and she explained that she might do a 75% WC once a month or maybe once every 6 weeks or so!

She said that her indicator was her pH? Once the acidity develops, dropping her pH, she does a WC (always 75%).

All her tanks are 15G, all tropical freshwater, w/ standard gravel (colored, etc.), and most have live plants, but the plants are very very sparsely populated. For example, she may have 1-2 java ferns in a tank 3" in diam. (this would be typical or the floating plants). Also her tanks were not crowded at all, maybe a dozen fish per, which for a LFS is LIGHTLY stocked!

I would also say her set ups and fish looked quite healthy. and aside from the filtration method unknowns that I have, I would say this ranked right up there in quality, not quanity!

Thanks

 

[musho3210]

hmm it doesnt seem too good, the indicator for a WC should be the nitrate not the PH

 

[brads]

hmm it doesnt seem too good, the indicator for a WC should be the nitrate not the PH

Exactly. Fish don't generally give a rip about PH. Like the Shark in "Finding Nemo" said, "Swim away, swim away!!!"

 

[Dangerdoll]

just want to say that plants are indeed ok to go with a UGF system in the tank but is generally frowned upon because of the possibility of root systems growing through the plates. If that happens, you can imagine the nightmare....

 

[nickmcmechan]

I have a very heavily planted tank with a UGF and they do fine. However my Gravel laywer is deeper than usual for my plants to root...if they root down fine then that should take care fo anerobic gases....

I use a UGF with a an internal....

I think if I set the tank up again then I'd go for a reverse one....too late to change now....

However, I like UGF because your entire substrate becomes a filter....downside is it looks messy because of debris making weekly gravel clean essential...

 

[Star_Rider]

I have both ufg and rfug...both have rooted plants..the limit in these is not the ugf/rfug but the limited light I have in them.

the only issue I have in one tank is the Bolivian rams..they like to move the gravel...

 

[Rbishop]

Okay..old school here....

27 tanks, 20- 125 gallons, for 30+ yrs.

All my tanks except fry have UGF or RUGF. I have maintained UGF tanks for yrs with just steady water changes and gravel vacs. With medium stocking, conservative feeding and consistent maintenance, NEVER an issue.

I have and use UGF and RUGF in planted tanks.

With all my UGF, I run carbon. With all my RUGF I run carbon and sponge at a minimum, some have canisters.

An UGF or RUGF maximizes the gravel bed as media. And before someone says you can't, 4 of the RUGF have sand substrate.

 

[sawyer1206]

Okay..old school here....

27 tanks, 20- 125 gallons, for 30+ yrs.

All my tanks except fry have UGF or RUGF. I have maintained UGF tanks for yrs with just steady water changes and gravel vacs. With medium stocking, conservative feeding and consistent maintenance, NEVER an issue.

I have and use UGF and RUGF in planted tanks.

With all my UGF, I run carbon. With all my RUGF I run carbon and sponge at a minimum, some have canisters.

An UGF or RUGF maximizes the gravel bed as media. And before someone says you can't, 4 of the RUGF have sand substrate.

I think that pretty much says it all!!!