Undergravel Filter - Yes or No ?

nagukush

nagukush

AC Members
Jan 1, 2008
975
0
0
41
Hi Friends !

I'm going to setup my Tank tomorrow and just wanted some basic advice regarding the UG Filter.

Actually its a 4 Feet tank, and I plan to keep a very low Bio-Load in it (very few fishes). I'll be using about 3" of Gravel and I'm not able to decide if I should go for the UG or not. Kindly advice if it will be ok if I dont use a UG filter ? Will the Bacteria still grow and carry out Biological Filtration effectively ?

I have got a huge Top Filter along with the tank (as its an Atman acrylic tank with built in Hood, Lights, filteration etc) will it be ok if I dont have any other filter other than this ?

Kindly advice friends...
Thanks !
Kush
 
If you use one make it a RUGF.
 
rbishop said:
If you use one make it a RUGF.
Click to expand...

Hi there !

How do I do that ? Is it a reverse UG Filter ? How does this work and how do I make mine Reverse type ?

But will it be still ok If I dont use a UG ? Will the bacteria still grow effectively on the gravel ?
 
Your original question - No you don't need an undergravel filter. If you want one, it can be set up in the normal mode or with flow reversed. If you reverse the flow, the filter will not get anything solid in the gravel bed but the bed will stay well oxygenated by the continuous water flow. In a normal direction, the material that falls to the bottom of the tank, like excess food, will be drawn down into the gravel to decompose. Some people like them for planted tanks because the material that decomposes will fertilize the plants. I stay away from them because I don't like the idea of putting decomposing material just out of reach of my fish. If the flow ever stops, like a power outage, the mulm in the gravel can become anaerobic and produce toxic hydrogen sulphide gas by decomposing.
 
get a few HOB's (assuming cost is a restraint) or a canister (if not). i have 3 AC70's on my 75 gal oscar tank. water stays crystal clear. doesnt mean you can get out of doing your water changes though.
 
I just eliminated my UFG from my 55G due to many opinions on this and othe websites. They seem to be a thing of the past. Plus after a little while the tubes up the back start to look bad. Your tank will look bigger without the UGF. I am running a Canister and HOB, water also stays crystal clear.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom