Is it a waste of money to add the undergravel? I am new to the whole aquarium thing and I'm trying to educate myself before I make an major purchases.
2007-04-19 04:54:11 · 7 answers · asked by stewart_681 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
I have to agree with MM here. I have used a UG Filter (in tandem with another filter) and found with certain fish, like gold fish and mollies it really does save a lot of time when cleaning the tank since all poo and uneaten foods are pulled to the bottom. (seems to keep the tank water cleaner) It is also a great bio filter in the tank. It does not accumulate BAD bacteria.
It will depend on what kind of fish you are planning to have. higher waste producing fish it would be a good idea. UG Filters haven't been used much with the newer aquarists mostly because they do not understand how they work.
I like the UG filters in smaller tanks. It is however a matter of opinion. they are never a waste of money, however if you are just starting out and are limited on funds, just a regular filter will work just fine.
2007-04-19 18:29:25 · answer #1 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, in fact, two filtration systems can often be a good back up to be sure that the tank stays stable in the event of one filter or the other quits on you.
A power filter provides excellent mechanical filteration (getting the floating junk), good chemical filtration ( what the carbon is for) and good biological filtration ( the good bacterial that convert the ammonia in the tank to something less harmful)
An undergravel provides very good biological filtration, fair mechanical and usually no chemical filtration. Except for rare special purposes I wouldn't suggest an undergravel filter as the sole means of filtration for a tank, but on the other hand it's rare that it would be a bad idea as an extra source of filtration.
I say use both, all the better.
MM
2007-04-19 05:01:15 · answer #2 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Undergravel filtration is a bad bacteria breeding ground! Any uneaten food as well as waste materials become trapped in your undergravel filtration plate and pollute the tank, which leads to a build up of nasties in the tank :) If you dont believe me find someone that has an under gravel system and pull the bottom plate up! And look at all of the nasty gunk that comes out and into the tank when you pull the plate out... Or better yet... Pull one of their corner poles out and stick your suction tube (python or just gravel vac) over the opening and see what all comes out of it!
For a 55G tank I suggest a canister filter. Fluval, RENA, whichever is your choice... Especially if you are keeping 'dirty' fish like Goldfish, cichlids or oscars.. (Yes I know an oscar is a cichlid but most people dont think of them like that)
2007-04-19 05:26:53 · answer #3 · answered by Heather Michelle L 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the tank is already set up, I'd say no don't worry about it. If not I'd say go for it. UG filters have a reputation of some people love them others hate them. I have always ran UG filters for about 10 years w/ no problem.
2007-04-22 12:55:25 · answer #4 · answered by fury2g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the size of your backpack filter,really. Though personally,I loathe undergravel... but that's more of an opinion call.
2007-04-19 05:01:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree that you should use both. I do and I have been using them for the last 5 years and my fish and tank do great.
2007-04-19 05:08:36 · answer #6 · answered by radiojcl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heather is spot on. Couldn't have said it better myself, word for word.
2007-04-19 17:23:47 · answer #7 · answered by Kenshin 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋