Are Undergravel Filters Worth It

[juelz]

are they worth it?

what are sum pros and cons for them?

 

[SirMinion]

cons:

• Easy to get pockets of anaerobic bacteria under the plate causing buildup of toxins
• Suitable for gravel only, sand cannot be used
• Small fish like khulis and especially fry get caught beneath the plate
• The whole decor has to be striped to clean under the plate

Pros:

• Takes up very little room
• um...

 

[haplover]

yup, I think you exausted the pros on them.

another con.
Not suitable for live plants as the roots can get entangled in the plates and create those pockets of anaerobic bacteria. They are expeciually unsuitable for Heavily Planted tanks since the roots will choak the filter and it won't work properly.

 

[juelz]

so basically theyre only good if u want problems

 

[haplover]

well, they can be good for other situations. Those involve being run in tandum with a Canister filter though and that's usually in saltwater.