Filtration Questions

[Shelby]

So, here's the deal. We are setting up "dueling" 50 gallon tanks. One on each side of our TV thing and so on and so forth. So basically his and hers... lol

My boyfriend would really like to use UGF systems because when he last kept fish that was the big thing (yes it's been awhile!)

So I'm curious, if we use UGF's, can we hook a canister filter (say a magnum 350) to it to suck the stuff out from under it. Would that have a strong enough draw?
There would be a HOB filter also.

Another question is what what would be a decent canister filter (brand name) I know lots of people like Fluval, less like the Magnum. What about Eheim or Rena?

Thanks guys!
Shelby

 

[Tolak]

If you mean to clean it out on occasion it will extend the period between setting up and the eventual tear down needed with ugf.

 

[Shelby]

Yes I mean clean it out. If I was to set up canister filters that are hooked to the UGF basically on a constant basis so that the UGF never has to be taken apart to clean. Only the canister would be taken apart to clean. The biological media would be in the HOB filters.

 

[Tolak]

This would be similar to hooking power heads to the top of the lift tubes. You will still get dead areas under the ugf, it would just increase the interval between cleaning

 

[Shelby]

But how would you clean it without taking out gravel and lifting it up? Would you still use a syphon hose like normal? We plan on starting baby pirhanas in it before we move them to a 100gallon so sticking our hands in this tank is not going to be much of an option.

 

[Tolak]

Usually ugf need a teardown every year, with the canister I could see it being extended to 18 months. Vaccing the gravel is done just as you normally would, in the case of growing out baby p's I would consider a length of dowel rod & some cable ties to vac the gravel without submerging your hand.

I have a buddy who has bred plenty of rbp's, haven't called him in a while, I'll ask about any tricks. As far as I know juvies aren't real bad, spawning adults take some caution & careful observation when working in the tank.

 

[Shelby]

Oh.. that is a really good idea using the dowels and cable ties! I will definitely keep that in mind