UGF is a filter that pulls debris down to the gravel so when you do you weekly vacuum you will be able to remove it. When you do a water change you use a gravel cleaner to remove the water and muck from the bottom of the tank, UGF have to be pulled apart yearly and cleaned, so not the best for a planted aquarium, and not only that it would be hard to get between the plants, I suggest the sera 1100 for your size aquarium or fluval 305. Plants need a deep gravel bed of fine gravel 1-2 mm I have a 3-5 cm deep bed and my plants are doing well. Also for a planted tank use SERA FLORA POT good for the first 6 weeks of your plants life in your tank. Speeds up the rooting process and will sped the growth of your plantsscotty703 said:What would be the best filter system for a 55Gal. Freshwater planted setup? If you don't have an UGF, how often do you have to clean the gravel?