U/G filters

[FrAnK3333]

I was happier to with sand. Easier to clean and it will get clean unlke gravel with will always be dirty.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

ive had one but its too much work, sand is much better. as napoleon dynamite would say "Its a piece of crap, it doesnt work!"

 

[reg2k2]

Their job is *not* mechanical filtration. A UGF should always be accompanied by another filter employed for this purpose.

Their job *is* to perform biological filtration....and they do this very well. I can clean every part of my aquarium, from the uplift tubes to decor to the casing on my power filter, replace all media, and still have no worries of ammonia spike. Obviously this kind of cleaning isn't required (or recommended!!), but I'm secure that w/ a UGF my bio-filter is always intact.

To those that do run UGF's, do be sure that your air pump is in working order...this is the fuel to your filter.
Airstones may need replacing on occasion...but often they just need a cleaning...blowing them out in a glass of water works.

My pleco has lived w/ UG filtration for many years.

Downside: apparently requires more work. Not lived 'on the other side', but as I understand, they require more cleaning. I *think* in tanks w/out UGF's you only need gravel-vac maybe the top inch or so of gravel...while w/ UGF you need to be a little more thorough. Some claim you need to clean beneath the plate, say every 5yrs or so. (I'm personally not convinced of this.)

And you do lose a little bit of room. Couple inches off the bottom, and on occasion I've eyed them tubes bein' in the way of my desired decor ....but then I've a small tank to begin with (2ft).

While I'll agree a tank w/ sand substrate looks nice to be sure (and most seem pleased w/ the switch), I don't find a tank w/ gravel bed to be particularly ugly. But, true...sand & UGF's don't mix. By the same token, if it's plants you desire, UGF not the way to go...tho apparently possible w/ some plants.

 

[Corruptor]

Some claim you need to clean beneath the plate, say every 5yrs or so. (I'm personally not convinced of this.)

So tonight I was cleaning out my tank stand, and I noticed something I'd never seen before. The bottom of my tank! It's a 55g that's been running for about 3 years with an over-the-back filter and an undergravel filter. The UGF covers the entire tank, but only half of it is under power with a powerhead. the 2nd powerhead died about a year and a half ago, and my clown loach moved in when I remover the powerhead. I left the tube in place, and the loach just loves it! Since I was already under there, I took a couple of pics; see if you can tell which side is which.

So, what does this prove? I dunno, but I had no idea that it was that nasty under there. Now I just have to figure out how to clean it!
BTW, I've never had a problem with either water clarity or water quality. I let some algae get out of hand, but that's a whole different problem.

 

[FrAnK3333]

UGF are crap, I threw mine out and dont regret it.