How many MFK'ers use UGFs?

[cassharper]

I still have a few.Been considering rfug I may try it.

this is the answer to most everyone one this thread's complaints. RVUG (Reverse-Flow undergravel), couple with another form of mid/top level filtration (canister/hob) works brilliantly well.

If you just reverse the power heads to push through the gravel instead of sucking through it you have effectively turned your whole substrate into an active bio filter. What crap it pushes back up will be caught by your other filter.

I have even seen this working with semi-leiden tanks (heavy plants, low stocking, little filtration) and the roots don't seem to bother it at all. I personally like the stuff on my gravel... it's like aquatic mulch. Makes water changing a breeze since heavy plants can actually make gravel vac-ing a bad thing.

 

[CHOMPERS]

I agree with them being natrate factories.

That's a myth that just won't die. It implies Spontanious Generation is occurring.There is no basis for UGF's to create nitrates or to even participate in the reactions. They only provide a place for the bacteria to live.

 

[cassharper]

That's a myth that just won't die. It implies Spontanious Generation is occurring.There is no basis for UGF's to create nitrates or to even participate in the reactions. They only provide a place for the bacteria to live.

I think they are going under the assumption that if there is more stuff caught in the substrate then there is more decaying matter to break down into ammonia and be converted through nitrogen cycle into nitrates.

I still don't think that the amount (if cleaned often at all) will make a significant impact.

 

[bigspizz]

The "sludge" under a U.G.F does not affect the water unless disrupted to the point that it enters the water column...

 

[oscarluvr]

That's a myth that just won't die. It implies Spontanious Generation is occurring.There is no basis for UGF's to create nitrates or to even participate in the reactions. They only provide a place for the bacteria to live.

 

[StogieC]

oops, wrong thread

 

[StogieC]

wrong thread twice

 

[[enjoyable_attempt]]

No Sir. They create more problems then they solve. Also theres more surface area in a little bio media then the whole plate of a UGF. Not to mention lift tubes are fugly.

 

[tcarswell]

I have them on my pair of 55's. They work great and since I use a python I can keep the gravel plenty clean. On the larger tanks for some reason I have never used them.

 

[thor meeki]

That was one of the 1st filters I ever used.
The very 1st was the in tank (carbon/filter-floss) box filter.
I thought an ugf was such an upgrade.

Now all I use are canister filters...still ugf are tried & true to this day.
Doubt they will ever take these off the shelf.