Undergravel filters

I have a Reverse Flow Under Gravel Filter. It takes up only 1/3 of my tank. It has a sponge prefilter that is easy to clean and I have no problem with crud building up either under the plate or detrius in the gravel. If set up properly, it will give you superior biological filtering, and as an added bonus, I can siphon drain my tank right down to the glass if needed.
 
I'm not sure why filtration stirs up such strong feelings, but it certainly does.

A filter is a device with most commonly two functions, sometimes three:

1. Biofiltration: oxidation of toxic nitrogenous waste from fish to less toxic form.

2. Mechanical filtration: trap particulate matter from the water column.

3. Chemical filtration: extract dissolved materials from the water column. This function is optional. It may be by resins or other exchange formats, or by adsorbtion by activated carbon.

No matter what format is chosen, some maintenance is required. You chose the format - UG, HOB, canister, W/D, FBF, whatever - which suits your application and on which you are comfortable doing the necessary maintenance.

I use more canisters than any other type of filter. But I also use W/Ds, FBF, RFUGs as appropriate. By water volume processed, W/D would be my largest. FBF and RFUG for me are special applications where they do the best job. All are good and reliable filters.
 
Originally posted by Matak
I have a Reverse Flow Under Gravel Filter. It takes up only 1/3 of my tank. It has a sponge prefilter that is easy to clean and I have no problem with crud building up either under the plate or detrius in the gravel. If set up properly, it will give you superior biological filtering, ...
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I like the Reverse Flow idea! I do know what the underside of the plate looks like after time with regular UGF's.... Uugh..:eek: (just my opinion)
 
Originally posted by RTR
I'm not sure why filtration stirs up such strong feelings...I use more canisters than any other type of filter. But I also use W/Ds, FBF, RFUGs as appropriate. By water volume processed, W/D would be my largest. ... All are good and reliable filters.
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Logical, and well put...:)
 
Originally posted by Darkangel
... You obviously have some very strong dislikes for UGF's but that is no reason to eliminate them from peoples use. I personally dislike cannistors but I do not come on here and say they are not filters or they should not be used. For many years the UGF was the way to go.......
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You are right! I have an extreme dislike for UGPP (Plastic Plates), oops, UGF's. I never told people not to use them. They're not for me.... :)
 
I'd never use UGF on a tank that size. The largest I use UGF on is 15G. Eventually excess buildup may occur under the UG plates and in the gravel, and the system has to be pulled apart to remove buildup. That would be too much work down the track on a tank that big. I'd stick to a thin substrate and look at a good combination of a canister/s and HOB/s running simultaneously.
 
Kit,
Excellent observation! I did not want to bring up the "Total Tank Take-Down" involved with cleaning out the ""stuff"" on the bottom of the tank.
And, it should be done on a regular basis to prevent toxins getting back into the tank...Can you imagine how much work could be involved on, say a 125 gallon tank, or even a 55 gallon?? I prefer to have 'filters' that I can change out on a regular basis.
 
I ran a UGF on a 200 gallon arowana tank for years. It worked fine right up to the point where the arowana jumped out and died :(. When I took the tank apart, there was little or no gunk whatsoever under the plates. As mentioned before, properly kept, UGFs are just as good as any other method of filtration. Good gravel cleaning is more or less all that it takes to keep a UGF working properly for a long time.

That said, I personally don't use UGFs, non of my tanks would work too well with them. However, I don't see any reason not to use them for a normal FO non-cichlid tank.

HTH
-Richer
 
Originally posted by Richer
...UGFs are just as good as any other method of filtration. Good gravel cleaning is more or less all that it takes to keep a UGF working properly for a long time.
That said, I personally don't use UGFs, ...-Richer
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Well I must disagree with "just as good".. The UGF I had "stored crud" under the plastic plates. Maybe my gravel was too coarse and the suction was too powerful and the debris went past the gravel and got 'stored' under the plastic plates. (?)... If I had a finer gravel at the time, the crud/debris might have stopped within the gravel. A planted tank or not, would still pose a problem when cleaning. Vacuuming could work, not so much with plants though. Another point to consider is with all the talk of Ich and 'free-flowing' bacteria, why would one want to keep it sucked down into the gravel? I agree that good gravel cleaning is necessary, and a Must. I also think that UGF's are obsolete...there's a much better way to "filter" an aquarium.

I know I will have opposing views, but please take some time and do the 'total tank take down' - look at better options. (just an opinion, no expert here. HTH) ....:) Ooops, in no way am I telling anyone what to do. ;)
 
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