Undergravel Filter? Yes Or No?

[Rock Dowg]

I have had a tank for a while and most of what I know is from trial and error or from lfs. One thing I have wondered lately is about undergravel filters. Are they any good? Do you need them? Are they bad for live plants? I'm sure there is many opinions on this but I would like to know all the options so I can make up my own mind with input from someone that knows.

Thanks

 

[Boxcar Muzzdogg]

In my own experience, UGFs are useless. However, I have been into a couple small independant lfs' that ran UGFs as the only filtration in their tanks. I do not know if they are successful in keeping their fish alive, or what their params are, but I assume they just rely heavily on the bio filtration and it works for them. For myself UGFs seem far inferior to other fiters and if you have an alternate filtration device, then you really don't need a UGF.

Really all a UGF does is collect detritus in the plates and you have to gravel vac the waste out before it fouls up the water. Problems arise with UGF because the plates may become clogged, or rocks and decorations may decrease flow in parts of the plate, making the UGF less effective.

 

[yvez9]

many stores around here use air pump powered filters, so sponge and UGF

I guess since they have no decorations in the tanks, only fish, it is rather easy to clean out, and I'm sure they have a very fancy cleaning method nobody could afford in a house (faucets with dechlorinated tap water and such) so they can handle cleaning them out often

they are the worst for live plants as the roots may grow in the piping, clogging everything up. plus, the water flow isn't that great unless you have a massive air pump or powerhead, which are usually more expensive than a power filter

in other words, just get a regular hang on back or canister filter and everything will be good

 

[Rock Dowg]

Thanks for the input. That is what I suspected. I'm moving from a 55 gallon to a 72 bow front tank today and the ugf will not make the move.

I do have a hang on the back filter that came with the tank and I am going to look into a canister filter in the future

Thanks again, it is nice to finlly get answers from people that know instead of the LFS, all they do is want to sell something.