Removing an UGF in a 55g tank

[NajdanRW]

I want to remove my undergravel filter I plan on removing all decorations, live plants and fish with around 30 to 40gallons of the tanks water while I clean out the crud that's under the filter and remove it. I'll then add more gravel, benifical bacteria via the quick start bottle/ stress zyme with a fresh 15gallons of water.

Part of the reason for this is that I have a 110 AC filter and the UGF sputes out green/brown stuff from the tubes

Does this sound like a good plan?

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[deeda]

Sounds good, just keep an eye on the nitrates since you will be cleaning a lot of filth out of the tank.

If your existing nitrates are below 30ppm, I would make it a 50% water change.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; Sounds like you are going to try to do this while leaving fish in the tank. I have never done it that way.
I have had many tanks setup with UGF's and always did a complete teardown including the removal of all the fish and plants.
If the tank is as nasty as your initial post hints, then it may well be that so much detritus will be stirred up that this will cause problems.
Having never tried to shortcut the process , I cannot comment from experience as to what to actually expect. I will follow this thread and hope that you will keep us posted.
I am also curious if you have made any determination as to why the tank got into the condition it is in?
Good luck

 

[NajdanRW]

I removed the plants, rocks, 25gal of water with the fish and lifted one UGF panel at a time cleaned the gunk and detritus from under those panels was a messy and time consuming process but well worth it the tank is much cleaner and the fish will be much healthier because of it.

Added the double first of stress zyme which includes some bb, all fish are doing well and the new AC 110! filter is working like a champ on the 55g

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[MonsterMinis]

test your water... ive seen this type of change-over bomb tanks. daily water tests will let you know hopefully before anything happens if it is going to happen, otherwise its good peace of mind. otherwise nice set-up!