Should I Remove Underground Filter?

by **2tall** on Wed Jun 09, 2010 4:24 pm

Is there really any advantage to the underground system since the only filter medium is the carbon?
Would one be better off doing daily water changes instead? Its just a little two gallon hexagon tank which I thought might be useful as a sick bay in the future.

by **kizno1** on Wed Jun 09, 2010 4:53 pm

IMO undergravel filter and terrible. i would try and get a small filter that does about 100lph or make a small sump or wet and dry filter which will save space in the tank and give you mre water volume which will help keepthe water better.

by **silverrabbit** on Wed Jun 09, 2010 5:49 pm

I'd just make my own with an old fish food pot, a small air stone, some sponge and an air pump

by **kizno1** on Wed Jun 09, 2010 6:15 pm

silverrabbit wrote:I'd just make my own with an old fish food pot, a small air stone, some sponge and an air pump

i made one of them but didnt like it that much. I think on a tank that size making a small externl would be best because then you get more water volume and better filteration to help keep water quality good.

by **silverrabbit** on Wed Jun 09, 2010 6:41 pm

I think they work great for bettas. Trick is to make a few holes in the bottom of the pot also, so the water can flow through completely. They don't pick up poo and muck so you have to vac every week(which everyone should do anyway imo). The bubbles that come out are quite nice too..

*shrugs*

by **kizno1** on Wed Jun 09, 2010 6:45 pm

I did but it bearly seemed to suck anythink in and did nothing at all for the quality of my water. Them little hang of the side trickle fillters are good for small tanks aswell.

by **2tall** on Thu Jun 10, 2010 1:06 am

Thanks again all!

by **Newfishy** on Thu Jun 10, 2010 4:00 pm

I would go with a small self starting external. Ive had and hated pretty much everything else.

by **Taelin** on Thu Jun 10, 2010 4:48 pm

As you're in the states...Smallworld makes a filter for small tanks...It has a sponge and carbon all in a little cartridge that just fits into the air pump operated filter. Kit at Walmart for about $17CAN, so probably less down there. I have one and it improves water quality and moves the top around. The kit even comes with a valve to turn down the pump output so you can control the current.

by **2tall** on Thu Jun 10, 2010 5:09 pm

That sounds great to me as there is a Walmart almost within walking distance!
Even in my price range. Cheap! I've been strapped since last fall as I had to let
my boss go. He just wasn't working out. !

Thanks

by **Taelin** on Thu Jun 10, 2010 5:15 pm

Welcome! :D

by **Vandraco aka Bronzecat** on Thu Jun 10, 2010 10:14 pm

Personally, UGF's (under gravel filters) are absolutely fine for lightly stocked tanks. The key to keeping it working properly is not to gravel vac the whole tank in one go, but do small areas each water change.

You don't really need the carbon as the gravel is acting as the filter media.

Should I Remove Underground Filter?

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