possible undergravel filtration upgrades

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Blackwater guru

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In a few days I am getting my first fish tank a 144 liter tank that will later contain 10 cardinal tetras along with a few small catfish and possibly some cherry shrimp .

The aquarium I am getting will have undergravel filtration but I am not sure if it's a good idea or not considering the bad rap this type of filter tends to get.

At the store the guy working there told me that very rarely did the filter itself need to be taken out for cleaning which means taking apart the tank.

I have read some info about this and honestly this might actually work out if I can maintain it properly and to set it up correctly.

What I did find out though is that this type of filter can be upgraded in various ways to improve it and that other types of filters such as sponge filters can complement the gravel filter.

Is this a good filter type for what I am trying to do?

In short I am trying to create a blackwater aquarium with oak leaves, low lighting ,floating plants, and oak driftwood which is an ideal enviroment for the tetras as long as the water flow is not too fast as they prefer slow moving water in the wild.

Are there any tips and possible improvements that you might recommend?
 
I still use under-gravel filters, I have used them for many years. My largest tank a 55 gallon has it. I am currently working on a 30 gallon tank that has it. If you maintain your tank it works great. I have planted tanks and mostly have plants with small root systems and get most of what they need from the water. I have never done a blackwater tank but I have neon, amber and red eye tetras in my 55 gallon and they are doing fine. I also have floating plants and the UGF adds a nice gental current to the tank which is what you are looking for. I don't have to worry about floating plants getting caught in the uptake to the filter.
 
If you are still planning a biotope you will probably want sand. UG filters don't work ln this. The Corys will definitely be better off with sand.
 
Back in the day, UGF's were the rage - effective and inexpensive. When power filter HOB's and then later canister filters came along, the UGF somehow fell to disfavor. Less profit for the manf machine maybe.
A UGF is still a good filter IF and WHEN proper routine gravel vacuuming is done to ensure they don't become nitrate factories.
Another (I think) great idea is to use them as a plenum (research Dr. Kevin Novac). This is a UGF with significantly reduced flow through the gravel bed. It can even be used with sand provided that landscape fabric is used on top of the UGF. Used as a plenum, additional filtration may or may not be required.
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I sometimes think we get too hung up on filtration. All too many in the hobby go crazy and over filter. Most just don't realize that filters don't clean water, just make it look clearer. The money makers want us to buy these big, bad filters and fill them with expensive bio-medias. It's marketing genius that so many hobbyists have been groomed to believe. In reality, once established, the substrate has far more surface area for beneficial bacteria on/in it than any filter could provide.
A small filter coupled with fast growing (especially floating) plants and routine partial water changes can keep aquarium water very pure.
Check out Goliad Farms, a commercial fish farm in South Texas. They use ONLY plants for filtration and even do few water changes! Here's a video by Cory of Aquarium Coop that's worth watching.
 
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