Undergravel Filtration vs HOB vs Canister
- Thread starter dskrpncs
- Start date
I never liked the undergravels due to the junk that builds up beneath them.I only used power heads to run mine ,never the airstones.It is much easier to clean and do maintenance on the hang on filters.
I just changed from a AC110 to a Fluval 305 and its super quiet. I have to touch the Fluval to see if its working and the water is crystal clear.
I prefer canister filters now, I had a undergravel filter with powerheads on my 55 with the AC110 and it worked fine for 2 years. I only removed it as I changed from gravel to sand.
I prefer canister filters now, I had a undergravel filter with powerheads on my 55 with the AC110 and it worked fine for 2 years. I only removed it as I changed from gravel to sand.
I used UGs for years with power heads and never had an issue with them. Even when I broke the tanks down there was never a build up of stuff under the filter plate. I even used an UG filter on a 379G plywood tank that I had to turn the plates sideways to cover the footprint of the tank. You do have to vac the substrate for an undergravel to be beneficial.
I'm currently running my 35 hex with a UGF and power head, it's been running for 40 days. I also have a single cartridge Tetra and added an AQ50 two weeks ago.
I'm having trouble keeping the Nitrite and Nitrate levels down, Ammonia is zero.
I vac the gravel lightly when changing water but can't keep the levels down.
I should have hooked it up in reverse flow.
My guess is the BB in the gravel is still establishing????
It probably doesn't help that the tank is overstocked, 5" Dat, 5" Bush, 8" Lima, 3" Syn. and 2-1.5" Butterkoferi. I have cut back on feeding and only feed krill and an occasional Massivore pellet for the Syn..
My other tanks with Hob or canister only have no trouble keeping good levels.
I'm having trouble keeping the Nitrite and Nitrate levels down, Ammonia is zero.
I vac the gravel lightly when changing water but can't keep the levels down.
I should have hooked it up in reverse flow.
My guess is the BB in the gravel is still establishing????
It probably doesn't help that the tank is overstocked, 5" Dat, 5" Bush, 8" Lima, 3" Syn. and 2-1.5" Butterkoferi. I have cut back on feeding and only feed krill and an occasional Massivore pellet for the Syn..
My other tanks with Hob or canister only have no trouble keeping good levels.
i gave up ugs for hang ons years ago, there old news, hobs are much better
and ik prfer my hang ons over canisters soley bcuz i dont feel like spending $150...
i have a aquaclear 700 and love ho i can use any kind of media for it...i also have a biowheel 300 which isnt as diverse but much more bio bacteria surface area on the wheels then the bio max cylinders that i use in the ac because half of them are submerged..
but to give u an idea i have both of those on my 75 which i set up about 3 weeks ago,
i have 20+ fish in there already after cycling the tank with 2 blk skirt tets and a gibbicep for maybe a week with plants added and aquasafe for the water....
ive tested for ammonias and nitrites every other day since iv'e started and nitrites have not gone above 0ppms honestly and ammonia has not been close to .1ppm
and u can check my setup for the stock if u want....
and ik prfer my hang ons over canisters soley bcuz i dont feel like spending $150...
i have a aquaclear 700 and love ho i can use any kind of media for it...i also have a biowheel 300 which isnt as diverse but much more bio bacteria surface area on the wheels then the bio max cylinders that i use in the ac because half of them are submerged..
but to give u an idea i have both of those on my 75 which i set up about 3 weeks ago,
i have 20+ fish in there already after cycling the tank with 2 blk skirt tets and a gibbicep for maybe a week with plants added and aquasafe for the water....
ive tested for ammonias and nitrites every other day since iv'e started and nitrites have not gone above 0ppms honestly and ammonia has not been close to .1ppm
and u can check my setup for the stock if u want....