whiterose Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 I just recently had a brand new undergravel filter given to me, I have read an article that suggested they are not good to use. The article stated that tanks can crash very easily using an UGF. I was hoping to get some feedback from anyone that has used them, successfully or otherwise. My idea was to use the UGF on my 33 gal tank with a fluval 201 and an AG 20 Powerhead. ~~Ray~~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon71 Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 Run it backwards, as in flow out of it up through the gravel. It will keep the crap out of the substrate. HTH Leon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toirtis Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 Mostly a pain to work with (and lousy for planted tanks)...especially when there are canisters, etc....1960's technology, but some still like them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osprey Posted April 26, 2007 Report Share Posted April 26, 2007 (edited) The best way to run a UGF is to run the water flow through a canister filter first, then use the canister to power the water flow through the gravel. That way, you get the increased biological filtration of a UGF with a much lower chance of the UGF clogging with detritus and becoming a nitrate sink. On the other hand... if you're buying an expensive canister, you probably aren't going to bother with a UGF. They do have their uses (QT and fry raising tanks in particular), but few people use them anymore. If you use a UGF in a community tank, supplement the filtration with a HOB or canister filter, and be prepared to completely clean out the gravel after a few years. Edited April 26, 2007 by Osprey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a1foxes Posted April 26, 2007 Report Share Posted April 26, 2007 I just recently had a brand new undergravel filter given to me, I have read an article that suggested they are not good to use. The article stated that tanks can crash very easily using an UGF. I was hoping to get some feedback from anyone that has used them, successfully or otherwise. My idea was to use the UGF on my 33 gal tank with a fluval 201 and an AG 20 Powerhead. ~~Ray~~ I like ug for the most part, a good portion of my 70+ tanks have it. Very useful for guppies, bettas and fry tanks. For more heavily populated tanks I use HOB as well, and powerheads like maxi jet. I still give the gravel a good syphoning every now and then. for the most part I use it in conjunction with/as a supplement to HOB's etc, and its most of what I use with guppies or bettas(won't suck up babies). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syno321 Posted April 26, 2007 Report Share Posted April 26, 2007 Siphoning the gravel with your weekly water changes will eliminate any chance of crashing. As well using fish that live in the gravel like Horse-face loaches will help keep the gravel loose and also eliminate crashing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiterose Posted April 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2007 Thanks for the feedback everyone. This has helped greatly. ~~Ray~~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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