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Undergravel Filtration

4K views 14 replies 9 participants last post by  ron521 
#1 ·
Hi, I'm starting up my new 55 gallon tank and getting it ready to be cycled. I just had a few questions if anyone knew about it or if they experienced undergravel filtration. I was reading online that there is a controversy about using it and wanted to know how others felt before I bought one. If I don't need it, then I will just disregard it and use a regular filter such as Aquaclear. Appreciate any suggestions or advice.
 
#2 ·
I've had an undergravel filter before, quite a long time ago, and they're not something you use unless you have no other choice. They do an acceptable job filtering but are impossible to clean. The flow of water down through the gravel progressively draws gunk down through the gravel and eventually down into the plenum beneath the plates. No matter how much you vac the gravel you will still get crap building up underneath the plates. It becomes a nitrate factory and the only way to clean it out is to break down the entire tank, clean, and rebuild it. This is a lot of work, a complete pain, and your fish won't enjoy it either. Once you factor in the cost of an air pump, fittings, and air line I think you'll find that a good quality hang on back like a Penguin or Emperor from Marineland costs about the same and they'll do a better job for you.
 
#3 ·
Undergravel filters work fine. That's the primary filter I've used on my 55gal tank for the last 25 years. It works great as a biological filter. The pros are it's never leaked, it's cheap, easy to maintain, I've never had a problem with surface scum and it provides great surface area for the biological filter since it uses the gravel for this medium. All you have to do is vacuum the gravel with a suction hose when you do your water changes.
Undergravel filters are not great however for MOST planted tanks. That because some plants don't like their roots disturbed by the vacuuming. And if you don't vacuum the gravel, the filter basically starts to clog.
So if you look at my pictures in my profile, you'll see that I added a canister filter two months ago because I decided to add more varieties of plants. That made it more difficult to vacuum the gravel. But I still use the UGF.
 
#4 ·
I have a 65gal with undergravel filter, and a 210 without. Both cycled in about the same amount of time. I prefer the tank without the underground filter. Not nearly as much dirt in the gravel. Easier to clean out. Would rather have most of my dirt in the filter. Both tanks maintain a good biological cycle with weekly water changes.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Thought I would ramble on a little more. When my power went out for 5 days, ammonia and nitrites where higher in my 65gal with underground filter. Both tanks are evenly stocked for their size. I felt all the dirt that was no longer being sucked into the gravel, may had contributed to the problem. If your buying a new filter, might want to consider an Emperor or Marineland Bio-wheel filter. Great filters!
 
#6 ·
I'll ramble too. I wasn't necessarily recommending an UGF. But like any filter, they work great if you clean them as recommended. I've never had any problems with them. All I do is change the air stones every other month. I also have a HOB and Canister filter. Each have their pros and cons. I just wanted to make sure people understood that UGFs are not obsolete.
 
#7 ·
if i may add to this one, we had an UGF and it did help the tank look good but it also became very difficult to get rid of Ick when some thoughtful relative gave us a fish from a store that had contaminated tanks! besides if you get a good HOB filter and utilize a secondary filter you will have an easier time maintaining them. :)
 
#8 ·
I like to use a power head with my UGF. They are not that expensive and they provide better filtering and more stock. I used a air pump for two months and found that I had to change the water every other day. With the powerhead I noticed better quality of water less water changes. I upgraded to a powerhead for only $20 bucks @ walmart and its garenteeded 170 GPH. The vacuum once every other week to prevent build up. I have not had a problem yet. I love my UGF I enjoy my super clear tank.
 
#9 ·
I like to use a power head with my UGF. They are not that expensive and they provide better filtering and more stock. I used a air pump for two months and found that I had to change the water every other day. With the powerhead I noticed better quality of water less water changes. I upgraded to a powerhead for only $20 bucks @ walmart and its garenteeded 170 GPH. The vacuum once every other week to prevent build up. I have not had a problem yet. I love my UGF I enjoy my super clear tank.
I also still use my air pump to provide lovley looking bubbles to also aid in oxygen exchange. Looks really good. I got pictures on profile.
 
#10 ·
UGFs work for biological filtration, no question about that. However, there's the cleaning issue. That's why I'd rather stick with the other types of filters. Sponge filters for smaller tanks while overhead or canister for larger tanks. HOBs are kinda expensive here so I don't include them in my options.

Kinda off topic, but I've seen a planted tank owner who uses UGFs and swears by it. I don't know. I'm not into planteds. (I have plants but they're stuck in pots or tied to driftwood/rocks)
 
#13 ·
Twister: Did you leave the fish and water in when you removed it or did you tear the tank down? Just wondering because I have to do the same thing with my 55gal.
I made the dumb mistake of using medication, that resulted in the death of a few of my fish. I decided to do a complete tear down to remove the meds. I removed all the gravel and rinsed it in water from another tank, to save the cycle, same with the filter. The water was completely drained, so I had to buy a very large rubber maid container to put the fish in for a few hours during the tear down.
Since, you are not stripping the tank from meds, you may get away with leaving the fish in. Hope you do not have all the nasty build up under yours, like I did.
Good luck with it! Gravel cleaning is already so much easier now that my ugf is gone!
 
#14 ·
Perhaps one of the most effective forms of filtration can be accomplished with the use of under gravel filtration combined with Reverse flow powerhead or canister filter. Reverse the flow of powerhead ,or attach return tube from canister to the lift tube of the undergravel filter. In this way water is forced down under the gravel and dirt is pushed up through the gravel where the canister can remove it or by the use of hang on the back filter which will remove it .
Have seen this filtration used in large tanks containing cichlids which are noted for being rather efficient waste producers.
 
#15 ·
One of my local fish stores uses nothing but UGF in their store, and their water is as clean as any I've ever seen. I asked an employee what maintenance schedule they had, and she told me they only feed the fish every other day ("a hungry fish is a happy fish" she said), and vacuum gravel/change water every month or so.
I suppose if you feed the fish less, they produce much less waste, and the filter can function better. I'm surprised at the long interval between water changes.
In my experience, UGF's require much more frequent and intensive maintenance than she described, and I've don't use them anymore.
 
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