under gravel filters

[fawnmodel]

Exactly what we have always done to seed the new tank:

Do a water change on the other/original tank as normal.

Two days later do another, taking the used water and putting it in the aequarium to be seeded. Add a handfull of gravel from the original tank as well.

Also, take HALF the filter media from the original tank (which should be done when it is due for a change) and put it in the tank to be seeded. We usually use the bag of carbon, and just sit it on the bottom for a week.

Two days later, we do a water change on the new tank, and another a few days after that. Be sure to use water treatment/chlorineremover/fin protector AND Cycle on the water going back into the tank everytime you do a water change or add water.


It works wonderfully. And, helps establish important biological filter in Undergravel filters.

BTW we do vac the gravel, just don't over do it or distirub it too much, and use only 1/2" to 1" gravel which means less need to clean it and better to let it live healthy. You don't hve to vac alot, like once a week or two, but we use the vac to syphon everytime with every water change (2xweek)

 

[qwikimpss]

VERY sound advice

 

[TonyGill_home]

My small 5G Tank has a UGF, but im changing it over to a air filter, and have peat in the UGF's place. The reason im doing this is because i had nothing but problems with muck staying at the bottom, and even with a gravel cleaner, still could not get rid of alot of it, as it attaches itself to the gravel.

I am about half way through the changeover, and so have got no fish in the tank (havnt now had fish in there for about 6 weeks, but have kept it cycled for any emergencies), as all the fish are in my 22.5 G(uk) Tank. And so ive kept cleaning anyway, as from the outside, you can see that the muck appears to be at about 1 inch depth, and each time i gravel clean, the water in the bucket is filled with lots of muck.

Ive now put in the filter, and got the gravel 50% cleaned, and hopefully this weekend will put the peat in the bottom for the plants that ive got spare, so that it should run like my 22.5G tank.

Ive got a nice amount of snails in that tank though now , ill have to find somewhere for those, just to store untill the 5G is ready.

 

[WILDER]

Ugf, are very unrealiable filters, clog up to much and not worth the hassle, sorry for the rant but i hate the god dam things.

 

[sarahw20000]

Oh great! After seeing the other peoples positive replies i went out and bought the tank with the UGF.

Oh well it's only going to be a quarantine/hospital tank so hopefully it won't have a chance to build up too much crap

 

[reg2k2]

Not so bad, imo...I've run ugf on my tank for yrs.

However, I would have recommended a sponge filter for a q/t. If a fish does fall ill, it's better to have no substrate at all. 1/ helps to keep things clean, 2/ better able to see what may fall to the bottom. ie. if poops look strange, if fish is eating at all...

Your question on whether you should have an additional filter----yes. While a ugf alone *may* work in a lightly stocked tank, it's best to have another filter to handle the mechanical end....actually removing debris.