blackguppy
Fish Fanatic
Hi Some. There's nothing at all wrong with using an undergravel filter, IF it's used properly. Meaning, the right depth and size of gravel, and a proper flow rate through it. Combine those things with the regular vacuuming that you'd need to do with gravel in a tank anyway, and there is no buildup under the filter plates what so ever.
In fact, I've propogated plants for sale back to LFSs, and I personally would never consider having a tank with gravel and plants without using one. Most of my tanks are for breeding purposes, and I keep them bare bottomed. But ALL of my plant tanks with gravel have UFs in them.
An undergravel filter was never meant to be used as a mechanical filter. It's job is to act as a huge bacterial bed. That's why I always use some form of powered mechanical filtration along with them. I agree that a canister is always prefered, then an aquaclear would be my second choice.
In fact, I've propogated plants for sale back to LFSs, and I personally would never consider having a tank with gravel and plants without using one. Most of my tanks are for breeding purposes, and I keep them bare bottomed. But ALL of my plant tanks with gravel have UFs in them.
An undergravel filter was never meant to be used as a mechanical filter. It's job is to act as a huge bacterial bed. That's why I always use some form of powered mechanical filtration along with them. I agree that a canister is always prefered, then an aquaclear would be my second choice.
