UG filter

[cutechic]

i have a ug filter rite now, but i think i'd like to put in a power filter instead. should i remove the ug filter, or just leave it and install the power filter? the reason im asking is i think the water will cloud too much if i move the ug filter.

 

[Jamnog]

it depends if you have more than one tank and where going to move the fish to another tank while you took out the ug filter then i would say take it all out and give it a good clean other wise leave it in perhaps take out the uplift tube. if you have a air pump driven hoover then run that over the gravel to make it a little more sanitry. there is not real need to you to take up the filter if the fish are happy with it there. it all helps to feed the plants i say. some may dissagree and im shure you will get a second opinion. good luck what ever you choose to do

 

[semper fi]

IMO, remove it. i set up a tank and had all kinds of problems with the water parameters. took out the ugf and the tanks settled down and is now running fine. the problem with ugf's is that the debris can get trapped under the filter plates and stay there. you do have to vaccuum under the plates by running a syphon down the lift tubes to reach under the plates. with the many more efficient filters on the market ugf's are pretty much obsolete. also with cichlids are other fish that are prone to digging the plates become uncovered and useless.

jmo, they are more a pain than they are worth.

semper fi

 

[ade1975]

I read a good tip once about putting a very low wattage heater down the uplift of a disused UG to create a convection current through the substrate thus mimicing a subsrate cable, might be an idea if you want a planted tank.

 

[-=DG=-]

Bin it. You can get a fluval from a tenner.

 

[CFC]

Bin it. You can get a fluval from a tenner.

That says it all,ugf's are outdated and a pain to maintain.

 

[-=DG=-]

Id say UGF's (in some cases) are half the problem!

 

[Jamnog]

ive had two ug filters in my time and didnt have too much trouble with them i keps a good comunity tank the fish in said tank lived long and happy lives. after a year they tend to need replaceing however and are allot of trouble, you get what you pay for but this isnt a debate on wether or not to chose a ug this is wether to remove a redundant filter from a tank full of fish without takeing the fish out. much as it would be prudent to take it out. i would suggest rehousing the fish and doing an overhaul of the tank when the whole tank needs doing and i do mine once a year. everything comes out and i start from scratch keeping say half of the water that was in the tank in a large container of lots of plastic bottles. and i go to town i think its has to be good for the health of the fish to change things all in one go thus you wont be mucking them about all year round with little changes you want to make to the placement of a rock or some such well thats the theory anyway.

 

[cutechic]

good idea, jamnog. the water parameters are fine right now, and the fish seem to be doing ok. i guess ill just leave the ug filter in for a little while longer. . .