UGF question and hello everyone - Aquarium Advice

easystreet · 05-22-2007, 08:14 PM

Nice to meet all of you! someone invited me over here so here i am

i just installed a rena xp2 on a 29g tank i was running a UGF with a rio 650 powerhead and a penguin 150.. i was wondering if it would be ok to leave the UGF off and just run the xp2 and bio-wheel until the xp2 gets cycled? it is a planted tank and it is going to be one huge pain in the ... to get the UGF grid out when the time comes.. any suggestions would be appreciated.

**Fishyfanatic** · 05-22-2007, 08:24 PM

If the penguin 150 has been running, it's fine to unplug the ugf. But the sooner you get it out, the better. It's probably going to be a mess down there with the mulm that has built up under the plates in addition to the plant roots that have probably settled under the plates.

Algenco · 05-22-2007, 08:30 PM

If you shut off the UGF the bacteria will die, wouldn't that cause problems?

easystreet · 05-22-2007, 08:36 PM

the bacteria im assuming will die but i am hoping the penguin 150 has enough to support the whole thing by itself and yes it has been running for a long time.

**Zagz** · 05-22-2007, 08:43 PM

You should be fine with the penquin and the bacteria built up in the substrate when you remove the ugf. Welcome to AA!

**Fishyfanatic** · 05-22-2007, 10:00 PM

The bacteria won't "die". You'll need to suck out the stuff under the plates.

easystreet · 05-22-2007, 10:30 PM

wonder if i can do that with my syphon if i take the harder plastic shell off and just use the tube pushing and pulling around the bottom... going to be real fun!

**Fishyfanatic** · 05-22-2007, 11:17 PM

Depending on how long it has been in there and how good of a cleaning job you do in the gravel every week, it may be pretty clean or it may be really nasty. When we removed ours I did a complete tank tear down because it kicked up so much gunk.

BillD · 05-23-2007, 01:58 AM

if you put the siphon hose down the lift tube, it should remove pretty much everything beneath the plate. Vacuuming the gravel is also a good idea, as the bacteria deep in the substrate will probably die off. The plates, left below the gravel may act as a plenum to reduce nitrate. I would leave them there.

easystreet · 05-23-2007, 03:26 AM

ok well at the next WC i will see if i can suck it all up or not and leaving the plate in there would make my day ill just have to get the posts out and cover it all up.

05-22-2007, 08:14 PM	#1
easystreet Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 8	UGF question and hello everyone Nice to meet all of you! someone invited me over here so here i am i just installed a rena xp2 on a 29g tank i was running a UGF with a rio 650 powerhead and a penguin 150.. i was wondering if it would be ok to leave the UGF off and just run the xp2 and bio-wheel until the xp2 gets cycled? it is a planted tank and it is going to be one huge pain in the ... to get the UGF grid out when the time comes.. any suggestions would be appreciated.

05-22-2007, 08:24 PM	#2
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,303 Images: 15	If the penguin 150 has been running, it's fine to unplug the ugf. But the sooner you get it out, the better. It's probably going to be a mess down there with the mulm that has built up under the plates in addition to the plant roots that have probably settled under the plates. __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

05-22-2007, 10:00 PM	#6
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,303 Images: 15	The bacteria won't "die". You'll need to suck out the stuff under the plates. __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

05-22-2007, 11:17 PM	#8
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,303 Images: 15	Depending on how long it has been in there and how good of a cleaning job you do in the gravel every week, it may be pretty clean or it may be really nasty. When we removed ours I did a complete tank tear down because it kicked up so much gunk. __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

05-23-2007, 01:58 AM	#9
BillD Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Whitby, Ont,Canada Posts: 930	if you put the siphon hose down the lift tube, it should remove pretty much everything beneath the plate. Vacuuming the gravel is also a good idea, as the bacteria deep in the substrate will probably die off. The plates, left below the gravel may act as a plenum to reduce nitrate. I would leave them there. __________________ Join a fish club. Don't have one in your area? Start one.

05-22-2007, 08:30 PM	#3
Algenco Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: May 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 106	If you shut off the UGF the bacteria will die, wouldn't that cause problems?

05-22-2007, 08:36 PM	#4
easystreet Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 8	the bacteria im assuming will die but i am hoping the penguin 150 has enough to support the whole thing by itself and yes it has been running for a long time.

05-22-2007, 10:30 PM	#7
easystreet Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 8	wonder if i can do that with my syphon if i take the harder plastic shell off and just use the tube pushing and pulling around the bottom... going to be real fun!

05-23-2007, 03:26 AM	#10
easystreet Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 8	ok well at the next WC i will see if i can suck it all up or not and leaving the plate in there would make my day ill just have to get the posts out and cover it all up.

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