do i need an under gravel filter ?

Question

in a 90 gal tank with just 1 oscar and a pleco using 2 40 gal filters and a 10 gal underwater filter?

Answer 1

UGF's are great biological filters. If you maintain them, they work well. The problem is they are a paint to keep up with.

http://www.firsttankguide.net/ugf.php

Answer 2

You aren't required to have one by any means. They do have the advantage, though, of good biological filtration, which could be a plus with the fish you have.

Here's how the advantage would work - your filters oxygenate the water and circulate it in the tank - but at present, there wouldn't be that much water flow at the base of your gravel, which is where the waste will accumulate. The beneficial bacteria that break down the wastes and convert the ammonia and nitrite to nitrate need oxygen, and with less flow, there's less oxygen brought to where it's needed the most.

An undergravel filter used in the traditional manner pulls the water and waste down through the gravel to the deepest part, so it provides a continuous flow of oxygenated water throughout the gravel bed, allow the bacteria to colonize more evenly (not just the upper portion) so more waste is processed. But the disadvantage of using the UG in the traditional manner is that wastes can accumulate under the filter plate and cause it to clog, creating areas without oxygen where hydrogen sulfide gas can accumulate (bad news for fish) unless you periodically pull up the plate and clean underneath.

You can avoid this by using a powerhead with a reversible flow - this makes the oxygenated water pump down the tubes and flow up from under the gravel so clogs are less likely, but the oxygenated water still reaches all parts of the gravel bed.

So, you don't absolutely NEED one, but you could benefit from having one - especially if you're getting high amounts of ammonia or nitrite between water changes. You still need to do regular water changes to remove nitrates, though, because a filter won't remove these.

Answer 3

NO. Oscars are very messy fish, followed closely by the pleco. An undergravel filter will simply draw the mess down, not out. You'll likely end up with water quality issues.

Weekly 10% water changes and vacuuming and a good canister filter will give you much better results.

Check out www.oscarfish.com - EXCELLENT resource for information and advice on oscars and how to best care for them. Tell Saluki mrscjr said hello.

Answer 4

If your tank is cycled and you are not having issues with nitrite and nitrate, then as the oldtimers say, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"

Answer 5

yes you do it will help and keep your tank very clean