under gravel filters

[sarahw20000]

I want to get a quarantine tank and one of the cheapest options seems to be an all in one tank with an undergravel filter.

I was hoping to instant cycle the tank by putting some filter media from my current established tank in the new filter but this tank there isn't anywhere to put it.

Also i don't get how you clean the tank to get all the poo etc out, with my current tank i use a gravel cleaner and wash out the filter sponge each week, with an under gravel do you have to lift it right out ?

 

[Ethos]

I've not had a good expierence with gravel cleaners. I myself dont know how to clean them properly, but I'd suggest you get a tank with a box filter of some sort.

 

[qwikimpss]

I used a UGF for years in my 10 gallon, i have recently gotten away from it. A ugf works good as long as you keep it clean, all you need to do is siphon it out when you do water changes every week, dont let a lot of waste build up on it (or any other tank for that matter) or else youre asking for trouble.

 

[Bloo]

This article might help you.

 

[qwikimpss]

And to help with cycling, or possibly instant cycle, buy a bag(s) of gravel thats enough for the quarantine tank, take enough gravel out of one of the established tanks, as this holds a lot of nitrifying bacteria and put it in the new tank and put the new bagged stuff in the tank you took the old stuff out of....after proper rinsing of course.

 

[sharky&george]

So what do you put the syphon over the tube holes and draw out all the dirt?

 

[qwikimpss]

use a siphon with a larger diameter tube on the bottom and physically push the bottom of the tube down into the gravel, this will loosen and draw out the fish waste while leaving the gravel in place. These are cheap and readily available at almost all LFS's

 

[sarahw20000]

Ahh so basically use a gravel cleaner the same as i do on my other tank?

Does this mean i don't have to buy a normal filter to put in it?

I'd read somewhere else on this forum that gravel hardly holds any bacteria and to instant cycle you had to use filter medium? Not discrediting what your saying but just wondering?

 

[qwikimpss]

Gravel does hole a lot of beni. bacteria. It holds much more with a ugf with water flowing through it. Nitrifying bacteria actually grows on ANY surface in the tank so while it may not be in INSTANT cycle it will be cut extremely short...if it's not instant, i've done it and it wokred for me.

 

[qwikimpss]

And an outside power filter wouldn't be a bad idea for some extra filtration, you can never over-filter a tank in my opinion.

 

[sarahw20000]

Thanks! The only other thing i need to check is how big should the gravel be? The stuff i've got at the mo is about 0.5cm

 

[Bloo]

Putting new gravel into a new tank with an UGF will not in any way instant cycle it. I am also very doubtful of how much shorter it will make your cycle. The only way to be sure is to test your ammonia and nitrites. By using gravel from your old tank will certainly help, but in no way instant cycle your tank.

 

[qwikimpss]

Well, it cant be too big or else waste will get sucked all the way down through the filer plate of the UGF...at which point the ugf isnt doing it's job. And if the gravel is too small then water flow will be severely restricted and, again, the ugf wont be doing it's job.

 

[qwikimpss]

I agree bloo, new gravel wont help at all, old gravel will help. It probably wont instant cycle it but it WILL introduce the bacteria instead of waiting the spores to drop in the tank the natural way. Although i have, in my experience, put all old, mature gravel in my 10 gallong with a ugf and it instant cycled, just dont bank on it happening.

 

[glolite]

You could also try putting some used filter material directly into the tank. It doesn't have to go in a filter, just stick it in the tank.