Under Gravel Filter System

[KimandPaul]

We are due to purchase a 2nd hand tank on Sunday with Under gravel filter system, i have done some research on the internet but its very conflicting. The guy is emptying his tank on Sunday and we are collecting it as soon as possible on the same Sunday.

Will the tank be fully cycled once we place water in it? The guy we are buying it from says yes and i have no reason to doubt him just wanted more opinions.

Cheers.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

All the bacteria will be in the gravel in a UGF, if he emptys the tank right down but leaves enough water just to keep the gravel wet it should be not effect the cycle and you should be ready to go. However will depend on how big the tank is lifting it etc..

 

[fishguy2727]

Agreed.

However, I would ditch it soon. Get a good HOB (or canister, depending on size of tank) and have that run on the tank as well for a few weeks. The tear out the UGF. I would switch to sand, a much more natural and cleaner substrate, looks a lot better IMO. UGFs will most likely cause more harm than good long term.

 

[This Old Spouse]

+1

 

[eaglesaquarium]

If you are willing to wait a bit on getting fish, just go straight to the sand substrate (ideal for cories) and place as much gravel into your new filter as you can fit. The bacteria will cling to the gravel and you will have a pretty good colony available to seed a fishless cycle. IMHO, I think this is the wiser course of action that starting the tank with a UFG, and then pulling it out while there are fish living in the tank. Just my opinion. (You never mentioned fish, so I assume you will not be getting the fish as well.)

 

[fishguy2727]

Are you getting fish now? My recommendation assumed you were getting the guy's fish too. If not I agree with previous post, go sand now.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Are you getting fish now? My recommendation assumed you were getting the guy's fish too. If not I agree with previous post, go sand now.

Yes me too. If your not getting his fish ditch the UGF go sand and get an internal/external filter. Could really do with knowing how big the tank is

 

[KimandPaul]

Hiya all no not getting fish yet but this guy has had this set up for a while and it works for him. Went to see him today and it was amazing. Never have i seen such a dedicated and loving couple dedicated to good fishkeeping.

The tank is a Rio 240 comes complete with everything apart from heaters because he is using those in his new set up.

And if i get rid of the under gravel filter system doesnt that mean we have to start cycling from scratch? Because in all honesty we would prefer not to and i thought all the goodness was in the filter media.

On and it currently houses angel fish, lemon pleco and discus (hope thats the right spellings) with 1 box with angel eggs and 1 with new born lemon pleco.

 

[fluttermoth]

There are a few ways to go, IMHO.

One, you could stick with the UG filter and stock with roughly (but slightly less to be on the safe side) the same amount of fish as the previous owner had. There's nothing wrong with UGFs; they were pretty much all anyone used for years and years, but they're not good if you want real plants, or if you want any kind of catfish, or if you're keeping big, messy fish, like goldies or oscars.

Two, you could stick with the UG and do a shortened fishless cycle to check it's working.

Three, you could put as much gravel as seems sensible (I'd do a tray full if it's an external canister) in your new filter and, again do a fishless cycle that way.

Or, if you're brave and have test kits and are prepared to possibly be doing a lot of water changes (and that needs thinking about with a 240l!) you could put the gravel in your new filter and add a few fish straight away. You'd need to work out roughly what the bioload of the gravel you're using would be (so, if the tank originally held 100 neon tetras, and you put half the gravel in your new filter, you'd have enough bacteria for 50 neons, but you'd add 25, just to be cautious; does that make sense?!)

It's really up to you which route you decide to take

 

[BigbruiserAl]

your not going to move a 240L tank with gravel in it and enought water to keep the gravel wet unless you know some really bigbruisers lol

As flutter said there nothing wrong with UGF but times have moved on and there not as good as we thought hence why they sell on flebay for 50p

IMO take the tank clean it, add sand set it up and read the fishless cycle

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Actually, some folks will tell you there is no better bio-filter than an ugf/rugf. I prefer the latter which should be used in combination with an external filter to handle mechanical and chemical filtration. The key to using under gravel filters is to do the proper tank maint.

They are cheap because all they are is a plastic plate or two and uplift tube(s). But add the airpump or powerhead and they are about the same as many comparable filters.

My biggest knock on them and why I eventually took mine out was that the uplift tube and powerahead (I used rugf) looked ugly in a display type tank. That and I discovered swordtail and panda cory fry under my plate

 

[fishguy2727]

IME the people who are still using them are the people who have been using them since they were the best option. They figured out how to keep them from causing major problems and they have worked out well enough for them over the years, so they don't ditch them.

With no fish going at the same time you have the chance to setup the tank properly, making long term maintenance and success much better. Go with sand (I suggest Estes' Ultra Reef, it won't mess with any chemistry). Use a canister and/or large HOB.

Now is also your chance to paint the back if it isn't already.

 

[KimandPaul]

We dont wish to use sand.

Our question was can we set up and go with the Under Gravel Filter System. He is taking out his fish and putting them in his new tank, doing a quick clean although we have asked for it not to be cleaned within an inch of its life because of the goodness in the tank.

We will be using an external filter alongside the Under Gravel Filter in the hope that it gets a good stock of media and we will eventually remove the UGF but i dont personally see why it needs to be done now because its a system thats working.

The tank currently houses a very successful breeding pair of Blue Angelfish, a breeding pair of Lemon Pleco, a decent amount of Discus and some other beautiful fish. It also houses live plants and not those awful plasic ones. Its a system that works! Why get rid of perfectly good and decent filter media if you dont need to.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

I dont understand why your asking the same question when people have given you the advise? if your mind is made to keep the UGF by all means your next task is to google how to look after and clean the tank with a UGF so you dont kill the bacteria

 

[This Old Spouse]

+1!