U/G filters

[STEVIE00]

ive a 28g tank
and everythings been fine till the other day wen i checked
my nitrates and they ere thro the roof
cleaned the tank did a 40% water change
it was fine till the next day then it was thro the roof again about 100
now for the U/G filter cleaned that and omg how dirty
clumps of poo and stuff goin to check water 2moro
so will post again later

my other question is do i really need the U/G filter cause my external
filter is a good one its a ehiem 2224 just not sure weather to take the U/G filter
out ur not

pls help wot would u do

 

[smithrc]

Even though everyone slates undergravel filters... I find they keep the water crystal clear - everything is sucked into the gravel.

This then forms a great nutirent rich mulm for plants (that are now also said not to do well with UG filters)

My parents tank was setup when UG filters were the norm (about 15 years ago now) and its been running UG uver since.

Its powered by a powerhead rather that air though.

my 2p would be to stick with it.

 

[pahansen]

In my personal opinion, plecos and UGFs don't mix. A pleco makes a ton of waste for a fish its size and will be hard on your UGF. This is not to say it's impossible (especially since your pleco isn't a huge one), but...

If you do continue with the UGF, I'd still take extra care to vacuum the areas where your pleco hangs out the most.

Good luck,
Pamela

 

[smithrc]

In my personal opinion, plecos and UGFs don't mix. A pleco makes a ton of waste for a fish its size and will be hard on your UGF. This is not to say it's impossible (especially since your pleco isn't a huge one), but...

If you do continue with the UGF, I'd still take extra care to vacuum the areas where your pleco hangs out the most.

Good luck,
Pamela

he has an external filter aswell.

BUT with an UG - 95% of the substrate is your filter media... name me a filter that has a Biomechanical filtration media that big!

Again - only going from my parents tank - their 10" plec was doing just Fine in there - untill he was rehomed due to his size.

 

[ferrikins]

Under gravel, are the best sort of filters around. I run my fry tank with one. never had a prob, just need to gravel vac abit more.

 

[FrAnK3333]

I think Ug filers are worthless garbage buts thats IMO.

 

[littlefishie]

I also think that UGFs are a piece of crap. They waste space and just.. don't do the proper job.

 

[FrAnK3333]

Thta what I think. I would throw it out. I did with mine.....

 

[STEVIE00]

tx all ive taken it out 2day x

 

[smithrc]

good, grown up reasoning there guys... keep up the informative & helpfull posts

 

[BigFishSmallPond]

Well I hope they arent crap as I just got one with my new tank. Can any of elaborate on "crap" or "garbage"? Curious as to what they dont do and how they dont do it.

 

[WILDER]

I hate the things, not worth the hassle.
http/www.fishtanksandponds.net/equipment...ium_filters.htm

 

[mandi]

I personally hate UGF. I could never keep my tanks clean no matter what when I had one in my 10 gallon years ago -- but maybe I just have bad luck. I dunno. But, I switched to hang on the back power filters and I'm much happier. Maybe a combination of both would be good though.

 

[FrAnK3333]

I went sand so no need for UGF. UGF dont really filter they just keep all the crap at the bottom. Its old technology, new is always better.

 

[Raechal]

I pitched mine too and went for sand. I am much happier.