Undergravel Filter?

[smiley101]

Hi,

I'm sure this has been asked over and over but I have serached and cannot see the right answers.

I have recently got a 3ft tank (165L) and it came with a fluval 204 external filter. I have read mix reviews about undergravel filters and cant make my mind up...It's going to be a cold water tank with gold fishes.

Is it advisable to get a UG filter or am I OK with an external filter.

Also in sand or gravel better? I have read that sand doesnt really wotk well with a UG...

Your help would be mu apreciated.
Thanks

 

[stang1]

I wouldn't bother with the undergravel filter, never used one but from what I understand they are not very good. If you already have the external filter then I would use that for the tank, more efficient and easier to clean.

 

[smiley101]

I wouldn't bother with the undergravel filter, never used one but from what I understand they are not very good. If you already have the external filter then I would use that for the tank, more efficient and easier to clean.

Hey Thanks for the reply.. I think I will just do thats!!

 

[roseK]

yea i dont like undergravel, it confuses me, i cant even tell if it works

so i just use both

 

[poopsydrew]

Nope, old technology. I would just run another external or a cheap sponge filter.

Drew

 

[Danno]

Undergravel filters work. It's just that people don't like them due to two reasons:
1) They can get messy and need to be cleaned once a year, but that doesn't make them ineffective. They are just more or less "old school"
2) People say they don't work because they look too simple and want something fancy instead.

 

[smiley101]

Nope, old technology. I would just run another external or a cheap sponge filter.

Drew

Thanks All for the reply's...

I think I wont bother with the UG and just purchase an additional filter.

Sorry to a a noob but what do you mean by a cheap sponge filter?

 

[poopsydrew]

Undergravel filters work. It's just that people don't like them due to two reasons:
1) They can get messy and need to be cleaned once a year, but that doesn't make them ineffective. They are just more or less "old school"
2) People say they don't work because they look too simple and want something fancy instead.

Never said they didnt work. More reasons than that though.
-They can become clogged way more often than once a year and once they do they are way less effective.
-Cant really even use it with sand, huge drawback
-Doesnt do well with plants, you wont see nearly anyone in the planted section with a UGF.
-When you do clean them out it makes a huge mess.

I love your second reason, people just decided they look "too simple" so decided to start saying bad things about UGF's, yea ok

Drew

 

[Danno]

Never said they didnt work. More reasons than that though.

I never said that you said it didn't work.

They can become clogged way more often than once a year and once they do they are way less effective.

I have never had one clog. A big reason people have them clog up is that they don't use correct gravel above the filter plate.

Cant really even use it with sand, huge drawback

How is that a "huge" drawback? What is wrong with gravel?

Doesnt do well with plants, you wont see nearly anyone in the planted section with a UGF.

They do just fine with plants. It actually works out very well because it doesn't project a large current. The "planted section" of the forum is mainly for heavily planted tanks and thus that IS some of there filtration deeming a UGF meaningless.

When you do clean them out it makes a huge mess.

Not if you do it correctly. All you have to do is, once a year, take the water out, take the gravel out, suck up some of the sludge, rinse the floss out in tank water, and replace. Thats all you have to do all year!!

I love your second reason, people just decided they look "too simple" so decided to start saying bad things about UGF's, yea ok

I have run into this a lot actually. People say "how does two tubes clean out my whole tank!!". You don't have to be sarcastic

 

[poopsydrew]

Your correct I didnt have to be sarcastic. I apologize for that.
As for the clogging I have had one clog a few times even when used correctly, also at my job I have many customers complain that theres doesnt work properly (wether or not they are using it properly I cant confirm, but with so many complaints I would imagine some would use them right.)
Also for the sand, there are many species of fish that need/benefit from a sand substrate such as the popular cory for an example as it is easier on their barbels and for them to sift through.
I am not an expert on planted tanks, but I thought that UGF's could pose a damage to the roots?
I guess I could see people relatively new to the hobby with the "two tubes" theory, thats a good point.
I still think it is a pain to have to take all of the water and gravel out and scrub all of the muck out of them. Especially in a bigger tank like many of us have.
There is nothing wrong with UGF's, I just think for the money there are much better options. Once again, I apologize for the sarcastic tone, it was unnecessary.

Drew

PS-I really wish I knew how to use those quote tags

 

[Danno]

Those are some good points! Everything has a good side and a down side!




To do quote use this:

[quote]other persons quote here[/quote]

 

[poopsydrew]

Those are some good points! Everything has a good side and a down side!




To do quote use this:

[quote]other persons quote here[/quote]

Agreed
Sorry still a little confused about how to quote someone else, kind of technically challenged.

Thanks,
Drew