this is really a popular opinion poll. tell me which do you think is better, power filters or undergravel filters?
whitch is better: undergravel filters or power filters?
- Thread starter fishcatch22
- Start date
you can't clean an undergravel filter without tearing down the tank. Therefore, powerfilters are better. Provided, that is, that they have sufficient space for bio media. A small power filter will be useless against a good UGF. However, I'll take a good power filter over any undergravel filter.
In a personal option I like both. I think an UGF by itself does not work that well just as a power filter will get the water istself clean but not the gravel. The best I beleive is a combo of both working together. UGF's are really not that hard to clean if they are taken care of. I myself though use a RUGF system and a HOB and the 2 together are great. Water is clean gravel is clean and the fish seem much happier.
:clap: 
Wet-drys, canisters, powerfilters, fluidised-beds...UGFs fall behind all these, but do have their uses (and work far better when powered with a pair of powerheads rather than an airpump), although I prefer large spongefilters (like ATI Aquasponges) for fry/plant tanks.
I would put Undergrvels or more specifically RFUg ahead of all other formats, but In no way do I reccomend just one format. Type of system, inhabitants, size and maintenance schedule all play into what ype of filter is best. Either way UGF or RFUG either one would be hands down better than a power filter IMO.
Man That's too bad. I've been doing it Wrong all of these years. never once have I torn down a tank to clean the Undergravel Filter. You'll have to enlighten me on the need for this process. I've always maintasined them without tearing down, but can honestly say I've never run one for more than 9 years without re-setting the tank. Maybe it's just after 9 years that they have to be torn down and cleaned.
Dave
Man That's too bad. I've been doing it Wrong all of these years. never once have I torn down a tank to clean the Undergravel Filter. You'll have to enlighten me on the need for this process. I've always maintasined them without tearing down, but can honestly say I've never run one for more than 9 years without re-setting the tank. Maybe it's just after 9 years that they have to be torn down and cleaned.
Dave
I could be wrong (happens a lot!), but I thought that with conventional UGF's, mulm accumulates under the filter plate and cannot be removed without tearing everything apart. I was under the impression that this mulm would lead to increased nitrates or anoxic conditions. Again, could be wrong on this.
Reverse systems would solve the problem, but then the waste is kicked into the water column and a power filter would be needed to remove it, no?
Reverse systems would solve the problem, but then the waste is kicked into the water column and a power filter would be needed to remove it, no?
drgold said:
I have read about this and was worried about the same but found a way around this. Clean the UGF with a small tubing if needed through the intake tube. If you do weekly cleanings then there should not be alot of buildup under the gravel as most is sucked up when doing the cleaning.
drgold said:
Yup, this is the way I run my tank. The RUGF pushes the crap up out of the gravel, but not the good bactiria, and my HOB filter sucks it up and runs it through the filter system there. My water is pretty crisp and clean with it setup this way. I have the HOB kinda centered in the tank so it does a pretty good job at getting most of the gunk. Also my powerheads for the RUGF have large prefilters so they also help collect gunk in the tank. Anything that may fall that is worth eating my cories pick up.
With Standard UF deep Gravel vaccuming is a must. If good weekly vaccuming is done the plates will stay free of Mulm. In the event that there is some significant buildup, then a small tube under the plates, or some other method may be needed to clean things out. MY new favorite trick is to put something small and magnetic (Flat Washers work well) under the plate, and then use my algae magnet to run it around and stir up any build-up. As long as it never compacts it will wash through and go up the tubes.
As far as RFUG, it has a mechanical filter via the intake sponge this will collect the mulm from the water column. Additionally the tnedancy is for the mulm to settle on top of the substratewithout settling into the substrate. This is an awesome effect because the weekly gavel vacs amount to a surface skim of the substrate.
In either case as said I never run just one format. The one thing a UGF or RFUG lacks is the ability to create current. There is water movement, but it is very gentle.
Dave
As far as RFUG, it has a mechanical filter via the intake sponge this will collect the mulm from the water column. Additionally the tnedancy is for the mulm to settle on top of the substratewithout settling into the substrate. This is an awesome effect because the weekly gavel vacs amount to a surface skim of the substrate.
In either case as said I never run just one format. The one thing a UGF or RFUG lacks is the ability to create current. There is water movement, but it is very gentle.
Dave