undergravel filter

[dannypd]

48x12

20$ and its yours :d

that's the price of them NEW.  and a bit.

I use this on my puffer tank with a mts combo.  There's a 4inch sand bed as well (actually, not sand, but think enough not to flow under the plates).

I rarely clean under the plates as I do not find too much gunk under them,...just mud, literally.  The mud doesn't even smell bad.  I assume the mts snails and puffer eating habits keep things neat.  I also have two hob filters running overkill (eg: designed for 90gallon tanks, each).

if you have read carefully, i said it was new!!! tsss

Ever hear of depreciation?  it starts the moment it leaves the store....

Didn't you post something like this last year about UGF??

Also, we still need to meet up and check out your setup

[NjOyRiD]

yep, for sure, but I've moved twice since you were gone!
I live closer to you now

[pegasus]

I have put an undergravel filter in almost every aquarium that I have owned over the past forty years and have never regretted it. The theory is solidly based i.e. bacterial action in the gravel does the conversion of crud to nutrient and undergravel water flow reduces dead spots in the gravel bed.....

Ron ... you rock! and I could have quote you for your post. Thing is, you and I can still read an analogue wrist watch while others only swear by the new digital. When the first Fluval came out, I joined the bandwagon but connected the intake to my UG.

Not from Ron

You had to completely disasemble your tank every year and clean the crud out. I hated it! Its ultimately why I gave up aquariums.

What ! They need to be cleaned? I have a 55 gal with a UGF that I have never touched in 5 years. Ok maybe it is because it's a plantless tank.

[kennyman]

What ! They need to be cleaned? I have a 55 gal with a UGF that I have never touched in 5 years. Ok maybe it is because it's a plantless tank.

lol yea allong with my annual water change. I killed alot of fish back in those days. My dad should have called me Dharla (the Dentists daughter in Finding Nemo)  :twisted:

[darkdep]

pegasus and rockgarden, I can appreciate your statements and the fact that "in theory" a UGF (forward or reverse) is a good idea.

But, like communism and the Windows Registry, it just doesn't work that well in real life.  

:lol:

[pegasus]

But, like communism and the Windows Registry, it just doesn't work that well in real life.
:lol:

Best jab I ever got. I did beleived in communism! and... Window's Registry !
But Rocky and I are talking about experiences and many tanks not just theory, books and articles.
BTW, I'm not an advocate of reverse flow. I certainly would like to experiment more on the subject. Just the idea of getting debris passing the impellers at a faster speed ... heerrrv and growing bacteria in the dark...  :roll:

[rockgarden]

Is Windows that system that hides the Stop command under the Start command for those that think differently.

I have three or for Macs in my house ans a few of that other operating system.  I'm broad minded and flexible so I also  let hang on and canister filters enter my house as well.

I don't use a skimmer on my SW tank though if that makes any difference to this thread

Ron

[darkdep]

You know what I love about this hobby?  I don't care how hard and fast any aquarium rule is, SOMEONE does it another way and is successful.

Filters are one of those things where everyone has kinds the like and kinds they dislike.

[pegasus]

Because of rockgarden's very informative expose on anaerobic bacteria in the "SW Bacterial Cycle" thread,  http://ovas.ca/bridge/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=5336  
I feel much better now knowing that the real secret of successful UGF is to leave them alone to do their work, to not clean them like other filters.

Like a septic tank, crud should accumulate under and that's normal and probably is beneficial to a healthy anaerobic bacteria population. If those residue overflow back into the tank, then a good mechanical filter should pick it up.
"

[Nerine]

I like the UGF's in my 1 & 2 gallon betta bowls...simple, don't take up too much space, but in anything bigger ughhhhhhhhh!
some people like them though...
I haven't ever cleaned the ones in my betta bowls and the water is crystal clear and tests fine!

[Julie]

I'm curious what your nitrates are generally with ugf.

Julie

[pegasus]

I like the UGF's in my 1 & 2 gallon betta bowls...simple, don't take up too much space, but in anything bigger ughhhhhhhhh!
some people like them though...

I use powerheads on all UGF for tanks over 10 gal.

I haven't ever cleaned the ones in my betta bowls and the water is crystal clear and tests fine!

Why fix a good thing.