just discovered that one of the powerheads has quit working anyway, and as i said before, final decisions on the tanks are generally up to me. he usually asks me before doing anything to even his own tanks. my friend is short on time and has a tendency to neglect his fish because of his work schedule, all feeding and maintenance is left to me anyway, but dont worry i'll wait till he gets home so i can double check with him. basically i just wanted to be able to show him other peoples opinions on the matter. the LFS also said no to the under gravel
under gravel filter, good or bad?
- Thread starter phreakyfaerie
- Start date
if you use reverse flow powerheads through an undergravel filter they can be excellent bio filters. they might be old but they are very effective. Colmbined with a powerfilter of some sort they are great tank systems. I use them in all of my smaller tanks but not in my 220.
my first tank was set up with a UGF ant it worked very well but i do swear by internal and external canisters now.
dixon
dixon
I ran an undergravel with an airstone as all the filtration for the tank once. It worked very well, water was very clear all the time but got really cloudy whenever you stirred up the gravel. The whole idea behind it is getting a large amount of beneficial bacteria growing on your gravel by pulling everything the bacteria needs to where they are. A combination of using both UGF and HOB or canister would be ideal especially when using reverse powerheads that can push dirt from underneath up during water changes for the extra clean or just for the HOB/canister to pick up.
I have an undergravel filter on my 55, it has 4 heads with airstones lined up along the back.
I also have a penguin biowheel 330 hanging on the back.
water is excellent, filters barely need to be cleaned or any media replaced. fish are hapyp water is very clear, and its all good
I wouldnt use JUST and undergravel filter though, but heck, its good
I also have a penguin biowheel 330 hanging on the back.
water is excellent, filters barely need to be cleaned or any media replaced. fish are hapyp water is very clear, and its all good
I wouldnt use JUST and undergravel filter though, but heck, its good
IVE BEEN USING THEM IN ALL MY TANKS FOR 5 YEARS NOW AND I LOVE IT , I LOVE THE WAY THAT IT HOLDS ALL THE WASTE TO THE BOTTUM 
MAKES IT SOMUCH EASIER TO CLEANUP THE TANK. WHAT I FOUND MAKES THE BEST FILTER COMBO IS A UGF AND A DESENT SIZE INTERNAL BIO FILTER DOS'NT EVEN HAVE TO MATCH TANK CAPACITY. THE TWO WORK BETTER TOGETHER THEN BATMAN&ROBIN 
. IF U GO WITH THIS SETUP I GURANTEE YOU'LL NEVER WANT ANOTHER FILTER SETUP AGAIN 
. : : 
MAKES IT SOMUCH EASIER TO CLEANUP THE TANK. WHAT I FOUND MAKES THE BEST FILTER COMBO IS A UGF AND A DESENT SIZE INTERNAL BIO FILTER DOS'NT EVEN HAVE TO MATCH TANK CAPACITY. THE TWO WORK BETTER TOGETHER THEN BATMAN&ROBIN . IF U GO WITH THIS SETUP I GURANTEE YOU'LL NEVER WANT ANOTHER FILTER SETUP AGAIN . : : 
Ive always used a combo of ugf and a canister or hob works very well.Much more stable than one or the other.And oddball that idea rules 
.Cant wait to try that
.Cant wait to try that The one thing I find a UGF is great for is a fry tank for livebearers or other fish. There's no need to rig up a protection on your filters or anything so no worries about the little guys being hoovered up.
Used them as a beginner (like everyone else, I'm sure) and didn't like them then and don't like them now. They're pretty worthless IMO.
Personally, I'm a FAN of the UGF. I always liked it, especially because it's cheap, simple and effective. Unfortunately, it has SERIOUS limitations, being not so recommended for high bioload and for anything that likes to dig up the substrate or get buried in it. Sincerely, I had to give up the UGFs because of the digging habits of my cichlids. Oh, almost forgot: the UGF is GREAT for keeping the substrate well oxygenated, avoiding stagnant areas below the sand and/or gravel. 
Best regards.
Daniel.
Best regards.
Daniel.
