My Planted Tank - Aquarium Advice

Botia4Life · 08-12-2005, 10:45 PM

Unfortunately, I didn't see the sticky until two months into my planted tank. I have a [acronym:2afaa2a6dd="Under Gravel Filter"]UGF[/acronym:2afaa2a6dd] in my 55 planted with a penguin bio-wheel 350. That pretty much goes against the sticky, what can I do to minimize my huge mistake? I also had carbon filter cartridges in there that whole time. Are they really that bad?

QuantumCranker · 08-13-2005, 12:37 PM

The under gravel filter isn't THAT bad [acronym:477bb68ad4="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:477bb68ad4]. But if you dont want to use it, just disconnect it and leave the plate where it is and get another type, canister or whatever. As for the bio-wheels, the only time they are harmful is if you are using [acronym:477bb68ad4="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:477bb68ad4]. They let WAY too much gas out into the atmosphere instead of the water. Also if you get a powerfilter like the penguin type, make sure you keep the water level up as high as possible so there is very little splashing. That caused [acronym:477bb68ad4="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:477bb68ad4] to be lost as well. If you aren't using [acronym:477bb68ad4="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:477bb68ad4], don't worry about it.

Botia4Life · 08-13-2005, 09:23 PM

Not using [acronym:8d8a8e26c1="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:8d8a8e26c1] and the water level is perfect so there is no waterfall effect. but do you know about the carbon?

rich311k · 08-13-2005, 09:32 PM

I don't think the carbon is all that bad, but you don't need it unless you are trying to remove meds. I would take it out and stuff some more sponges in the filter.

Rich

Hoovercat · 08-13-2005, 09:42 PM

There's not really anything wrong with having the carbon cartridges in there. The carbon is only active for about 72 hrs. and won't leach phospates for months [acronym:d1a70c2672="As far as I know"]AFAIK[/acronym:d1a70c2672]. If it concerns you just get polyester batting for mechanical filtration or slice the filter carts with a razor and dump out the carbon then use a rubber band to hold the batting in place.

08-12-2005, 10:45 PM	#1
Botia4Life Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Naperville, Illinois Posts: 93	My Planted Tank Unfortunately, I didn't see the sticky until two months into my planted tank. I have a [acronym:2afaa2a6dd="Under Gravel Filter"]UGF[/acronym:2afaa2a6dd] in my 55 planted with a penguin bio-wheel 350. That pretty much goes against the sticky, what can I do to minimize my huge mistake? I also had carbon filter cartridges in there that whole time. Are they really that bad?

08-13-2005, 12:37 PM	#2
QuantumCranker Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Rocky Mount, NC Posts: 37 Images: 3	The under gravel filter isn't THAT bad [acronym:477bb68ad4="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:477bb68ad4]. But if you dont want to use it, just disconnect it and leave the plate where it is and get another type, canister or whatever. As for the bio-wheels, the only time they are harmful is if you are using [acronym:477bb68ad4="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:477bb68ad4]. They let WAY too much gas out into the atmosphere instead of the water. Also if you get a powerfilter like the penguin type, make sure you keep the water level up as high as possible so there is very little splashing. That caused [acronym:477bb68ad4="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:477bb68ad4] to be lost as well. If you aren't using [acronym:477bb68ad4="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:477bb68ad4], don't worry about it. __________________ "If my fist clinches crack it open, before I use it and loose my cool." Roger Daltrey - The Who

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08-13-2005, 09:23 PM	#3
Botia4Life Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Naperville, Illinois Posts: 93	Not using [acronym:8d8a8e26c1="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:8d8a8e26c1] and the water level is perfect so there is no waterfall effect. but do you know about the carbon?

08-13-2005, 09:32 PM	#4
rich311k Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 8,849 Images: 35	I don't think the carbon is all that bad, but you don't need it unless you are trying to remove meds. I would take it out and stuff some more sponges in the filter. Rich

08-13-2005, 09:42 PM	#5
Hoovercat Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Memphis,Tn US Posts: 438	There's not really anything wrong with having the carbon cartridges in there. The carbon is only active for about 72 hrs. and won't leach phospates for months [acronym:d1a70c2672="As far as I know"]AFAIK[/acronym:d1a70c2672]. If it concerns you just get polyester batting for mechanical filtration or slice the filter carts with a razor and dump out the carbon then use a rubber band to hold the batting in place.