Underlgravel Filter

[danb_1985]

i've decided what i want for my tank now and have bought an airpump to go to an undergravel filter.

2 questions:

1) how deep does the gravel bed need to be for an effective filter?
2) should i supplement the filter with a sponge filter?

my tank will contain 2 separated betta's and a mini community of about 16 inches(undecided on fish yet)?

 

[Ludwig Venter]

I'm one of the few people left who still has faith in undergravel filtering and IMO, the culture which develops underneath these filters are worth 3 months of cycling..... No additional filters are required and the gravel topping above the filter do not have to be more than half an inch.

 

[danb_1985]

my lfs also prefers it and uses it in most of his tanks and i believe him to be a trustworthy source just didnt know whether a sponge would help that was all?

 

[Ludwig Venter]

my lfs also prefers it and uses it in most of his tanks and i believe him to be a trustworthy source just didnt know whether a sponge would help that was all?

Of course additional filtering would help, but IMO, the undergravel (to cover at least 25% of your bottom area) is more than adequate....