New tank...keep the ugf or not?

[teamfargo]

Our local pet store is going out of business and I picked up a little 20 gal tank that came with a heater, undergravel filter, rocks, plants, decorations. The guy just drained 80% of the water out and put it in the car for me.

So, technically it is pretty much ready to go as it has all the beneficial bacteria (and a bunch of baby somethings in the water!) The problem is...what to do with the undergravel filter. Years ago, they were good. Then they were bad. Then they weren't as bad.

Personally, I would like to yank out the old filter, throw some water in it, vac. the rocks really good a week later and see if the babies can handle it. Logically, I guess I should exercize patience and do a fishless cycle. I'm not really feeling that patient...so.....what would you guys do? If you have a hard time being patient, that is

 

[Tolak]

If you want to save the fish that came with it, run the ugf for a while with a new hob filter. After a few weeks take out the gravel a little at a time & pull the filter plates.

More than likely underneath the ugf plates is some really nasty, foul gunked up water, & will probably kill the fry in there if you pull it all out at once. Unless the shop was running it as a reverse ugf, which I doubt.

Tolak

 

[teamfargo]

okay...sounds good to me. Keep the fish, let the tank stay set up with fishies. I am guessing they are guppies as that is what some of the fish were that were swimming around when I bought it. It is still fun to watch them grow up, even if they aren't some rare, exotic fish.