Wise to remove an UGF?

[NorCalFish]

I was wondering would it be wise to remove an UGF?

when i set up my 40g, i never really thought about it so i decided to put in a UGF. but seeing how its not really helping (or at least i don't think it is), i want to remove it. if i do do it, what's the best way to do so with the least disturbance to the fish.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

it is helping. personally i would switch it to a rugf. that way your pushing water down and up though the gravel making it a big bio filtration plus add a hob for polishing and call it a day.

 

[NorCalFish]

i have a whisper HOB but replacing the media bags get quiet costly

 

[Mgamer20o0]

you dont have to replace them. just wash them in old tank water and reuse them.

 

[NorCalFish]

should i be using the carbon that goes in the bags?

btw i think i will take your advice and put 2 powerheads on reverse flow to push the water down.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

some people say use it others say dont. your best bet if you want to use carbon is buy it and refill it your self. it will be cheaper. then again if you dont want to use carbon just leave it. after a week or two it isnt active and is a good place for bacteria to grow on.

 

[NorCalFish]

thanks for all of your advice mgamer, it just seems like such a waste because there are individual bags of carbon for each filter bag. but i think it may be cheaper for me to go carbonless and alternate washing/replacing the filters

 

[Mgamer20o0]

carbon isnt that expensive. more so when you buy it in 5 pound or so.

 

[NorCalFish]

well i just think its weird to wash the bags with the carbon in it. so i might just try it without the carbon. i know some people don't use carbon.

 

[theredchaser]

Removing an UGF is a pain in the arse. The easiest way is to just transfer your fish into a bucket and siphon half (or as much as you can) into a clean trash container or something and just take the thing out with all the muck that comes with it. I tried doing it with my fish/water still in the tank and it turned into a nightmare.

I would take out the carbon if you have live plants, otherwise it doesn't really matter. I usually just take all the carbon out of the pouches and stuff it with filter floss. You can get a huge roll of filter floss for about $5 and it lasts forever. Don't throw away your filter cartridges... just clean em while you do a water change in the siphoned dirty water.