Undergravel Filters

Benson

Benson

Roll Tide!
Apr 8, 2003
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Benson Walker
Hey everyone,

What is the deal with undergravel filters? I am reading in multiple places that they are bad. I visited two LFS and asked them and they both swore by them...

I have a 29 gallon aquarium with a Whisper 30 -40 power filter plus the ugf. I'm still cycling the tank with 5 Danios, an african frog and a couple of Dwarf Gouramis.

Thanks for any information!
 
UGF filters are not bad by any stretch of the imagination, as long as you take proper care of them to keep them doing their job.

They have their applications, but they are not for everyone's tank. People who have high bioloads, fish that dig, live plants, or sand substrates either cannot use at all, or would get no benefit from them. In my opinion, there are much better filters out there, but for supplemental filtration, they are not bad if you have the right situation for them.
 
UUhg -- UGF

Originally posted by pinballqueen
UGF filters are not bad by any stretch of the imagination, as long as you take proper care of them to keep them doing their job............ In my opinion, there are much better filters out there, but for supplemental filtration, they are not bad if you have the right situation for them.
Click to expand...
Ok, I've calmed down..LOL :D
As this is 'newbie' area, it might be good to explain 'proper care'.
Just a thought... ;)
 
Okay, proper care of a UGF:

Make sure the substrate is covering it evenly, with no high hills of gravel, or any pits.

Vacuum the substrate at least once a week to remove any debris that might be clogging the filter.

Make sure the airstones and powerheads that run the system are in good repair. Replace any worn-out airstones, and clean the powerhed frequently(if you have such an arrangement. Most ugf owners don't have a powerhead to circulate the water, just an airstone)

Don't have fish that dig or plants that root.

... that's about it, I think...
 
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RTR,
Great article on UGF's! I thought shutting down the air flow, or water (powerhead) on the UGF and then vacuuming would be a good way to maintain the "filter"... Is this the right way? Just wondering... The UGF's I had didn't 'work' that good - to say the least - even with vacuum maintenance. Over time they failed... Live plants - no way...
 
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Thanks Pinballqueen... Same question..

Or, would that allow debris to scatter some before a vacuum could take care of it??

Just a thought to help UGF users..
 
My RFUGs are maintained with the power off to avoid the chance of forcing air under the plate. If I still operated conventional flow, I'd probably/certainly shut them down for vacuuming as well. I've never seen any downside to that. Of course, that assumes you will not forget to turn everything back on afterward - which I have done. :eek:

Edit: Just BTW, but after hearing some of the "pros" talk about it, I am testing RFUG with deep substrate and heavily planted, solely water coumn ferts. It has only been a few months, so not mature yet, but so far it is fine. I'm not sure I see any advantage to this idea, but I just had to try as I never have before. I'll publish the results in a few years.
 
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