External Filter

[pri_187]

Im new to fish keeping...I was just wondering whether I could attach an external filter to my existing undergravel filter set up. What I mean is that instead of having a underwater filter in the tube for the undergravel filter, I place the external filters inlay pipe in there. Would this work?

 

[JenCliBee]

Im new to fish keeping...I was just wondering whether I could attach an external filter to my existing undergravel filter set up. What I mean is that instead of having a underwater filter in the tube for the undergravel filter, I place the external filters inlay pipe in there. Would this work?

If you have an external filter to use there would be no point just remove the undergravel filter and stick with the external. Undergravel filters arnt very effective anyways.

BTW ... Hi and Welcome to TFF

jen

 

[bitteraspects]

even w/o the external filter, there is no real use for the UGF. youre better off with a sponge filter with either an airline or powerhead. UGF is a dying science, and has been rendered all but useless with the advancements being mad in consumer level filtration.
also, to answer your question. attaching the intake to your UGF would hinder the throughput of the external filter, and put more unnecessary strain on it. it will work fine out of the box as is. (provided you get one sized appropriately)

hope this helps

 

[Gilli]

Id say ditch your UG filter. I used to have one in my tank and the gunk that built up underneath was vile- did the water quality no favours!!

When you buy your new external filter make sure you run it alongside (as well as) with your UG filter for at least 6 weeks to get it seeded. Then take everything out of your tank give your gravel a good wash and tank a good clean.

While you are doing all this run your new external filter in a bucket of old tank water to keep the bacteria happy (both the inlet and outet pipes in the same bucket so it circles round.) It takes quite some time to do all this this and much longer than you think as ive found out!!

 

[rabbut]

Hang on a sec. UGF are very effective if set-up correctly The only issue with them, and the reason why many people are moving away from them, is that they are a royal PITA to maintain. Biologically and mechanically they preform very well as filters, due to a large media volume and surface area when compaired to their powered counterparts The trick is mantaining them in a way that does not clogg them, caurse channeling or that removes most of the filter bacteria from the bed, a task that is easier said that done

What I would be tempted to do if I had a UGF system onto which I was wanting to fit a canister, is attach the outlet of the canister to the lift tube of the UGF This would create a reverse under gravel filter, one that's low maintanance and does not collect rubbish in the substrate, to still do a lot of the biological filtering This will also avoid over straining the canisters pump and caursing a premature failure.

All the best
Rabbut

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum Pri. As Rabbut said, the UGF can be connected to a canister filter and will continue to be one of the better biological filters that exist. On the other hand, it would be a terrible idea to stop circulating the UGF. If one that has been in use is stopped, the material that is lodged in the gravel or under the UGF plate will start to decay and will no longer have the biological action to process the resulting ammonia. If you decide to shut down the UGF, be sure to clean the gravel well and clean under the UGF plate.

 

[waterdrop]

Right, I agree with OM47 that its very important to -plan- for the transition from the UGF to a modern easier-to-maintain external cannister filter. It could cause a real mess if you don't figure out the right steps to get your from where you are to where you want to be!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[backtotropical]

Hang on a sec. UGF are very effective if set-up correctly The only issue with them, and the reason why many people are moving away from them, is that they are a royal PITA to maintain. Biologically and mechanically they preform very well as filters, due to a large media volume and surface area when compaired to their powered counterparts The trick is mantaining them in a way that does not clogg them, caurse channeling or that removes most of the filter bacteria from the bed, a task that is easier said that done

Well said Rabbut. People tend to be very critical of UGFs these days, and quite unfairly so. I'd probably never recommend one, but only for the reasons you outline above. Other than the heavy maintenance requirements, they always have been and continue to be very effective filters.

The only other issue I can think of with them is that they aren't really suited to planted tanks as the plants generally don't appreciate the circulation around the roots.

BTT