Undergravel Filter in a 29 gallon tank

[daddyfish]

I've been using UGF's almost every since they Came out, Yes I'm telling my age but What the Hey my Son is 17.
But with that said Here Goes

I've always driven my UGF's with Air Stones, But have just recently been thinking of going to Power heads because I've heard that they help to eliminate most of the Dead Spots that can Occur when only using Air to drive them.
My question is this- If I go to power heads do I really need to use an air pump?
As I know most have connections for an air pump.
Or will there be enough agitation in the Water that no air pump is needed? I am using a Magnum 350 Canister filter already, which provides quite a bit of agitation already.
And will one Power head be enough to drive my UGF, if I Cap Off the other Uplift Tube?
My air pump I'm using Now is a Dynamaster Dual Piston Air Pump, Which each Cylinder, is rated to drive 10- 1" Air stones Each.
So Supplying Air isn't a problem.
If an air pump really isn't needed for use with a Power head, Then What additonal advantages is there to running one Connected to the Power head?
If I don't hook them to the Power head should I have Air stones in the tank anyway?

Sorry for all the questions.
But even though I've been in this Hobby for almost 37 years.
I'm still learning, and I figure I probably ALWAYS WILL BE!!!

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP

 

[Tolak]

I used to run ugf's, the biggest problem is the buildup of nasty gunk under the plates, usually, like you stated, due to dead spots. Powerheads will help, but not completely eliminate this.

Many powerheads have an air venturi that sits outside of the water. The flow of the water pulls in some air, adding it to the water flow. An air pump isn't needed, though the pump you have sounds like a nice one. Just the Magnum 350 is plenty of filtration for that tank, though I am the last person to knock overfiltration.

I would go with 2 smaller powerheads rather than 1 larger one & capping one tube. This will give more even flow under the plates, eliminating dead spots at the end furthest from the single powerhead.

How many & what type of fish are in the tank? My only concern with adding more water flow would be annoying the fish with too much turbulance, though if they are handling the flow from the Magnim 350 ok they should be fine with a couple of powerheads.

Tolak

 

[daddyfish]

How many & what type of fish are in the tank? My only concern with adding more water flow would be annoying the fish with too much turbulance, though if they are handling the flow from the Magnim 350 ok they should be fine with a couple of powerheads.


[/quote]

At the moment: I have none although I HOPE to soon rectify this PROBLEM...

I lost an Oscar I had to HITH, and I tore the tank down to CLEAN n STERILIZE it...

I was thinking of going back and setting up a Regular Community tank. ie.
Swordfish, Mollies, Corys, Dainos, maybe Groumis or Angelfish.
Fish like that, Nothing Fancy so too speak.

What do you think about a Powerhead with a aditional Filter attached to it one of those Sponges that come with them, for Some Bio Filtration.
I thought of getting a Bio Wheel Attachment but I've had problems with Bio Wheels in the past, with them STOPPING for no reason and just drying out, Even though the Water was still flowing.

I'm thinking of getting Rid of the UGF all together.
As I'm quite tired of the "Dead Spots" that we talked about.
And going with 1 1/2" to 2" of Gravel on the bottom.

Of coarse I'm still going to run my Air, to help ad to the O2 content.
Or what do you think of a Sponge Filter added to the tank driven by one of my Airlines???

I'm trying to get this all figured out before I set my Tank Back Up, and of Coarse Before i get "My Fish"
As before any and all HELP I'll be MOST Greatful...

 

[Tolak]

I make my own powerhead filters, check out the pic a few replies down;

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=104908

These work great on the bottom of the tank with messy fish, I usually set them up with just the sponge.

I tried one of the bio-wheels many years ago, same problem with wheel stoppages. I use Aqua Clears for hob filters for the most part.

Since you have the nice pump, I would go with the sponge filter. No reason to have a nice pump collecting dust. Sponge filters are best for bio filtration, a little lame with mechanical filtration, unless you have a lot of air flow. Sounds like that pump has plenty of air.

Tolak

 

[daddyfish]

Since you have the nice pump, I would go with the sponge filter. No reason to have a nice pump collecting dust. Sponge filters are best for bio filtration, a little lame with mechanical filtration, unless you have a lot of air flow. Sounds like that pump has plenty of air.

Thanks Tolak I'll give it a shot, I too had heard Sponge Filters were kinda Lame as well with Mech Filtration, But I figured my Pump would be able to pull it, and Thanks as well for Warning me about a couple of Powerheads along With my 350, Maybe being to much for a Community Tank.

I really am Greatful for your Help, I'll let you know how the fish do, Once I get my tank set back up, But right now Funds are a little tight, So it maybe a Month or Two.

Thanks Again for all of Your Help

 

[boxman]

I have an UGF in conjunction with a Rena XP2 canister - I agree, powerheads are alot better than airstones.