Undergravel filter system

[Fish Buddy]

Just wondering who uses this type of filter.
My question is: When would you use them and with what type of substrate. I have heard from my lfs that they are not all that great I don't know if that's true so I want to hear what you know.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I also hear that they are not all that great.

I much prefer something that circulates the water better.

 

[reg2k2]

Great biological filtration. Substrate sh. be gravel....sand would clog the filter.
As for circulation, they sh. always be coupled w/ another form of mechanical filtration. Not really recommended for cichlid tanks...those that dig anyway..tend to uncover the plate.

 

[cutechic]

Unfortunately, I have them in some of my tanks because I'm too broke to buy a better filter! (For now, anyway). I find that the circulate the water adequately, but it's easier for ammonia and nitrites to build up because one can't clean underneath the filter without taking one's whole aquarium apart, so waste just gathers underneath the filter. I definitely wouldn't recommend these

If you have a UG filter, I think you have to use gravel with it. Sand won't work because it is too fine.

 

[Morrgan]

They are great for biological filtration, but only if they work correctly. It sounds good in theory but can be difficult to make it work for real.

The substrate needs to be at the same level in all parts of the tank, otherwise the water flow through the substrate will be uneven and so-called "dead spots" can appear. These spots are places where the oxygen levels become insufficient and instead anaerobic bacteria will grow there. I don't remember exactly what these bacteria do, but it was something nasty. So, no digging fish will work with this type of filtration. Having a completely level substrate isn't very appealing to the eye, it makes the perspective a bit funny when looking at the tank.

Also, many plants get their roots messed up by the plates.

I used one of these when I started out with fish keeping, but quickly exchanged it for a canister filter inside the tank. It just didn't do the job properly, especially since I had kribs who kept digging in the gravel.

 

[cat.fish]

hello,

UGF are the older verson of todays hang on back filters. personally i think that they dont do much good in an aquarium. the new Bio-Wheel filter does almost the same thing, it provides wet/dry biological filteration. i dont have them in any of my tanks. i have the bio-wheel on my 10 and 3 gallon tanks.

HTH
cat.fish

 

[littlefisher]

my 7 yr old daughter just bought her first 10 gal setup, came with all but gravel and fish, well came with undergravel filter system, yuck, will get a different one in a week or 2, dont like them my self, i feel if u cant see the filter runnin with the bubbles than its prolly not doing a good job

 

[crazie.eddie]

I ran my tanks with UGFs for 8 years, no problems. My 55 and 20 gallon tank had UGF's and HOB filters and my 10 gallon tank only had a UGF. Easy to maintain, since all you had to do was clean the substrate (I do that anyways). Every 6 months or so, I stick my gravel vac down the uplift tube and each of the holes on the plates. That's it. No media to replace.

I suggest when using them to use a powerhead, not the airline tube with an airstone, connected to an airpump. I think this was the old method. The powerhead provides better circulation since it can draw the water underneath the plates more.

I only removed them in preperation for a planted tank. Also wanted a different look. I got tired of looking at the uplift tubes.

 

[lucky62]

I use them , I occasionally put the inlet from my diatom filter in the uplift tube from ugf to purge some of the muck that accumulates under the tray .

I use power heads , the gravel is in the 1/8" size range.

I have rooted plants[cryptocoryne 6 years in my 70] so water flowing through the gravel keeps every thing the same temp . The gravel is also seeded with malayan trumpet snails , just to keep things moving .

In 2 of my tanks this is all I have[55 and 70 gal ] besides many plants[ java ferns , anubias] . I do 20% water changes every week and remove any waist I find [ I stock with fish moderately].

I adopted this low tech. approach about 4 years ago ,after a leak with my fluval 403 , and it has been working very well . There are probably more efficient ways to filter biologicaly , but this works for me .

 

[crazie.eddie]

There are probably more efficient ways to filter biologicaly , but this works for me .

IMO...For freshwater tanks, UGF's are probably 2nd best for biological filtration...Wet/Dry filters come in first. Like I mentioned about UGF's, no media to change or replace, just clean. What better biological media than using the WHOLE SUBSTRATE?

 

[lucky62]

There are probably more efficient ways to filter biologicaly , but this works for me .

IMO...For freshwater tanks, UGF's are probably 2nd best for biological filtration...Wet/Dry filters come in first. Like I mentioned about UGF's, no media to change or replace, just clean. What better biological media than using the WHOLE SUBSTRATE?

I'M with ya, ED "ECHOSYSTEM"

 

[Idolz]

They are a great concept, using the gravel as a biological filter. But their time has passed I think, I'm one for filters with bio-wheels.

 

[Silly me]

UGF is great for tanks that contains ZERO plant life. I have some in one of my tank with a power head and its working lots to my liking, I also use bigger 2.5-3.4mm gravel for water flow and the tank is filled with plastic plants, might add some floating plants.

Any rooted plant would not grow well in a UGF setup. I have found that floating plant that can absorb nutrients from the water will grow

Biological filtration is great but not at the root of my growing plant, the amount of bacteria causes the roots to rot.

A bio-wheel would do the same and is in peace with my plants

 

[Doggfather]

when i got my tank, thats what it came with, but i'm looking for an external canister atm

 

[LoveMyOscar]

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