Under Gravel Filter Problems

[JakTheFlipper]

I am at my wits end!
I have an aquaclear 402 powerhead undergravel filter in my 4ft tank. I keep getting this re-occuring problem of the stones getting under the plastic sheet at the bottom and the stones being sucked up the filter pipe! In turn, my water is getting dirtier. Ive emptied the tank once and removed all stones from under the plastic sheet, but again, the pipe is clogged with stones.
What can i do??

 

[guppymad]

how big are the stones?

 

[JakTheFlipper]

how big are the stones?

theyre not huge ones, nor are they very fine. i bought them in a large bag, all natural coloured ones, if thats any help at all

is this pic any help?

 

[JakTheFlipper]

I think i need to get shut, can anyone recommend a good filter/pump that will do the job?

 

[millym]

hi, we used to have an ugf but as it was causing problems with our live plants ( they didnt like it) we got rid & the amont of muck that was under it when we took it out was unbelievable!!! we now have a rena filstar external filter that seems to work well & we also run a fluval 3 internal in the tank - mainly because we have quite a lot of fish in our 4ft & a lot of our fish seem to like a bit of current which this provides.
it depends what your after really internal or external theres lots of good brands. have you tried to do a search on this forum? you'll find more info on various filters here im sure.
from our experience our ugf didnt seem to be doing very much at all & we wouldnt go back to one again.