Help: Undergravel filter tube really dirty

[wesa]

The tube that leads from the filter to the powerhead is really scummy. Is this normal? My water doesn't look dirty; there seems to be no problems w/my fish. I only know the Ph-6.6. Water changes are done weekly at 10%. Can i just take the tube and the strainer from the power head off and wash it out w/straight tap water when i make a water change? I hope this stuff isn't wearing out my powerhead.

 

[tsr770]

I believe you can buy a brush meant just for that, more than likely its either a bacteria colony, or some brown algea in there, or just plain crud. With the brush you can clean it out by just taking off the powerhead and sticking it in... The small pieces of crud will settle on the bottom, then just use a gravel vac and clean them and the rest of the fish poo up when you do a water change.

 

[crazie.eddie]

Yes, the brush will help to stick in your tube. I ran a UGF for about 8 years and I never had problems with buildup in the powerheads. Though I did clean it by sticking a thinnger brush inside the open areas, I never had to take it apart.

Every 6 months or so, you should stick your gravel back in the opening where the gravel tube is connected to. This will suck up detritus underneath the plates. Then then the following week, do the same for one of the covered holes. A week later, do another covered holes, etc. The reason I don't suggest you to do all of them at the same time is you may remove to much water in the tank when you get done.

 

[wesa]

A couple days ago in the morning i found a lot more of the brown scum stuff but it was bubbly and just above the water line in my aquarium. I got it off w/my algae scrubber and it hasn't come back yet. I do 10% water changes every week and i don't have any algae, so i don't know why this stuff would form literally overnight.

 

[crazie.eddie]

Usually some bubble that don't pop that is on the surface is a sign of protein buildup. This is usually harmless, but just unsightly. This is normally caused by insufficient amount of surface movement. Depending on the type of fish you have, you may need to add a powerhead, maybe just an airstone or bubblewand, or maybe upgrade your filter.

 

[wesa]

That's crazy, I have a powerhead. But i noticed that the scum was behind the powerhead where it can't agitate the water. I thought it was weird that it was only the right side, so thanks for the answer to that crazy.eddie. I'm thinking about getting a behind the back filter to help out the UGF or i could get a bubble stone to stir up that area?

 

[semper fi]

you can also stick your syphon hose into the uplift tube and syphon under the plates. will help to remove any debris under the plates that the powerheads do not bring up. you may be surprised as to the amount of junk that does come up.

sf

 

[crazie.eddie]

you can also stick your syphon hose into the uplift tube and syphon under the plates. will help to remove any debris under the plates that the powerheads do not bring up. you may be surprised as to the amount of junk that does come up.

Yes, it should be done every 6 months or so, which I posted in a prior message of mine.

I'm thinking about getting a behind the back filter to help out the UGF or i could get a bubble stone to stir up that area?

I would prefer you get a HOB if you can afford it. The bubblestone will just create surface movement. The HOB is additional filtration, which is always good to have.