Undergravel Filter...

[gc9n]

I have an undergravel filter with a powerhead sucking the derts from the gravel... the question is the undergravel filter reliable?

 

[scarf_ace1981]

in one word. no. undergravel filters should be banned(wing is gonna kill me). never use it in saltwater and forget about using it in a freshwater tank. it does nothing, absolutely nothing

 

[nycitaliano9]

Im with scarf

 

[Psycho graphic]

in one word. no. undergravel filters should be banned(wing is gonna kill me). never use it in saltwater and forget about using it in a freshwater tank. it does nothing, absolutely nothing

Scarf you could'nt be more wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please do you research before making a claim that they do nothing.
























They are excellent detritus traps for ruining your water quality.

 

[scarf_ace1981]

good one psycho. make sure you put that last line in bold so people can see it. LOL

 

[jhale]

Psycho had it right when he said to do your research first, your all wrong!!!

There is one member on RC with a 35 year old reef tank running a reverse under gravel filter. you can see his thread here.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=727454

Pauls tank is not the normal reef tank you might think about, but there is more than one way to set up a tank and enjoy it.

 

[Psycho graphic]

Back in the 80's I ran RF UG's and they WERE detritus traps. So yes I've researched it.

I also see a M.I. in his pics, would you suggest people try them out also? Obviously this person has much more knowledge than someone who is asking basic questions about UG's.

 

[jhale]

Yes , Paul will be the first person to tell you his tank is not "normal"

the point is they can be used if you know what your doing. you can't make a blanket statement that they are garbage. personally I would not use one, but each to their own.

 

[Psycho graphic]

I guess I should have been a little more specific on it.

Yes they do actually work but, like you, I would never advise someone to use one. And this is from someone who's tank is so lo-tech it's rediculous.

 

[Babe88]

Looks like alot of the members here are new to this hobby like me but also unlike me that I can go back to the old school style of reefing by following my mom's foot step. We have undergravel systems in our saltwater tanks for more than 25 years. There were no home reef controllers, pinpoint testors and skimmers when our first home saltwater tank was setup. BTW, it's older than me.

Scarf, I have seen Wingo's saltwater UG systems, his are not normal UG-they are modified Jaubert systems. The flow is used to flush the system. During regular days the pumps are not on, so it falls back to the Jaubert method and specification of a plenum space. Or, plainly a sand bed with plenum space.

 

[gc9n]

allright... So We have yes to Undegravel filter and No .....

 

[jhale]

it depends how they are used.

the way you are using them, the normal way, would be no.

 

[scarf_ace1981]

Psycho had it right when he said to do your research first, your all wrong!!!

he was joking. i guess you didn't see the words in bold that stated,"They are excellent detritus traps for ruining your water quality."

Scarf, I have seen Wingo's saltwater UG systems, his are not normal UG-they are modified Jaubert systems.

i wasn't talking about his saltwater tank. i was talking about his freshwater tank.

 

[jhale]

Jon I saw it :smash: I was making a joke also

 

[scarf_ace1981]

lol. i guess i better shut up now.

 

[cb747]

I have seen Pauls tank. It defys "normal" but looks healthy and amazing. If anyone gets the opportunity to see it they should. Youll leave scratching your head

 

[jhale]

lol. i guess i better shut up now.

:grouphug::backtotop

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

it does nothing, absolutely nothing

:scratchch

I wonder why you say so even after you have seen the FW 20G tall that has an undergravel system in it in club7. I have not changed water for one year and only clean the tank's glass five six times. The only time, that there was a major water change is about 2 months ago when I move it to the cafe due to weight issue. The eco environemnt is almost perfect for a year without any problem-the water is still crystal clear. In one whole year, only 5 clams die due to insufficient feeding(this is an uncontrolled observation though). I added some new stuff to the tank at the beginning of 2007 and hopefully I have the time to document the whole thing for everyone to share.

The other tank, that I have an UG, has already been given to Waterplant, so you would not have seen it.

If you were thinking of the tank where your Africians are in, that tank does not even have a filter-only crush corals as substrates and an air stone in the middle of the water. That means not an UG either. That tank was just a holding tank for the big fish to be relocated into my pond during spring or if Idecide to build a big FW tank in the cafe in PA.

The key to has a successful UG system is the balance of materials and inhabitants. You need a lot of substrate and limit the choice of your live stock. If you set it up properly it actually require less maintenance than canister filter. However, you must DIY your own system because most commercial UG are incomplete.

No comments on UG in reef environment because the ones I have in SW are not even one year yet.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Looks like alot of the members here are new to this hobby like me but also unlike me that I can go back to the old school style of reefing by following my mom's foot step. We have undergravel systems in our saltwater tanks for more than 25 years. There were no home reef controllers, pinpoint testors and skimmers when our first home saltwater tank was setup. BTW, it's older than me.

Scarf, I have seen Wingo's saltwater UG systems, his are not normal UG-they are modified Jaubert systems. The flow is used to flush the system. During regular days the pumps are not on, so it falls back to the Jaubert method and specification of a plenum space. Or, plainly a sand bed with plenum space.

Yes, I am a strong believer in Monaco system before I even own my first SW tank. The Ocean Park that I worked in use that theory to build their aquariums too and I have seen them work well. The only problem is it have to be very specific in choosing the grain size and so. It's not an easy system comparing to the newer skimmer method.

 

[aaron]

I have decided not to give a smug, smart arsed answer to this question posted on the beginner thread.
The problem with under gravel filters is that they draw the water down and trap detris in the sand bed, Once in the sand bed it will break down and release nitrates. So its realy a bit of a time bomb, you can keep re setting the detonation time by cleaning out the gravel but eventually you will miss a cleaning and it will go off.
In my opinion, you would be better removing the under gravel filter and letting the live rock in the system take care of your filtering along with a skimmer (berlin method).
Having said that, I ran an under gravel system for years that was quite successful, but it is definitely a lot more work than a berlin system.

Keep the questions coming and dont mind the stupid smart arsed answers posted by some people