The Age Old Controversial Question

[FISHBREEDER]

Okay. Little background, I've set up a 55 gallon saltwater tank. crushed coral/live rock and cycled good. Right now it houses "temporary fish" a couple of damsels, two clowns, madorin golby.... Dont wory they will have a home later as well.

I am getting this tank as prepared and cycled as I seem fit for my new baby. A Picasso Triggerfish. I currently have two undergravel filters in the tank, and though they seem keep the water clear, I am woried that this is only trapping nitrates/nitrites in the "gravel". I've seen some discolorization in the surrounding areas and was wondering what information you have on this subject.

On a side note: i discovered a colony of what I believe are baby starfish in one of my live rocks. Scared the living daylights out of me when i fist saw them. (didn't think they were starfish, have six, VERY SPINEY "LEGS", and move like octopus.) Very cool. anyways yeah filter argument begin:

* I should also add that I have biowheel filter, and external canistar for high current as well. (not relying on undergravel filtration and would be fine without it)

 

[Mr.September15]

Okay. Little background, I've set up a 55 gallon saltwater tank. crushed coral/live rock and cycled good. Right now it houses "temporary fish" a couple of damsels, two clowns, madorin golby.... Dont wory they will have a home later as well.

I am getting this tank as prepared and cycled as I seem fit for my new baby. A Picasso Triggerfish. I currently have two undergravel filters in the tank, and though they seem keep the water clear, I am woried that this is only trapping nitrates/nitrites in the "gravel". I've seen some discolorization in the surrounding areas and was wondering what information you have on this subject.

On a side note: i discovered a colony of what I believe are baby starfish in one of my live rocks. Scared the living daylights out of me when i fist saw them. (didn't think they were starfish, have six, VERY SPINEY "LEGS", and move like octopus.) Very cool. anyways yeah filter argument begin:

* I should also add that I have biowheel filter, and external canistar for high current as well. (not relying on undergravel filtration and would be fine without it)

Be aware that mandarin goby's need alot of copepods to survive as for the starfish there a very common hitchhiker.Also for filtration you can rely on your L.R to do the job thats the beauty of it. But if you want to keep some filter media than you can have an H.O.B to keep filterfloss and activated carbon etc.

 

[Lynden]

I wouldn't recommend undergravel filters for any tank. They are obsolete in my opinion, and you are correct in the assumption that it is trapping nitrogenous compounds in the gravel.

In a Berlin System (the most common system today; also amoung the best when combined with a sand bed) you aim for high water flow, live rock for filtration, and no biological filters. The Berlin system is well designed for longevity; with many of the older systems, a "ticking time bomb" effect may occur. I discussed the Jaubert system (which in a way is similiar to a tank with an undergravel filter), and it's downfalls when compared to the Berlin today; here.

If I were you, I would go to all efforts to remove the undergravel filter. You can always add power filters later, too.

-Lynden

 

[Navarre]

Good asvice. Turn the undergravel filter off as its about 30 years out of date and will only cause you more problems in the long term.
Stick with liverock, add more liverock if needed (1lb per gallon of water).
Add a skimmer and you have the sucessfull and sicentifically proven Berlin Method.