I would like to ask for your help in gathering information about Undergravel Filters.
Before you respond to this post with "Those are worthless and outdated, get a powerfilter/HOB/Canister filter" please read this entire post.
I have seen ALOT of posts and threads that bash on UGF's and state that they are worthless and outdated. I happen to have one (came with the used/established tank we first bought). As I sought to better understand how our new tank equipment functioned I became aware that there was a great disparity in how people talked about UGF's. Most people that dislike (or more realistically, hate) UGF's did not link their dissatisfaction to any personal experience with them. On the other hand the few that like them usually have years of experience with them and can very articulately explain why they like them.
What I would like from you:
Personal experience with UGF's (good or bad)
It would be very helpful if you could provide as much information as possible...
What type/model did you have (risers with airlines/air pump, power heads, etc.)?
What size tank?
What fish you kept?
Type of substrate? Depth of substrate?
Maintenance you did (method and how frequent)?
How long you used the UGF?
Why you got one in the first place?
Any training or research you did to know how to use them?
Method of testing water parameters?
Frequency of water changes?
Did you have live plants?
Did you even attempt them (live plants)?
What plants? What fertilizers?
Anything else you can think of that would be helpful or pertinent?
If you know someone who has experience with UGF's, I would appreciate it if you could direct them this way.
Please please....PLEASE don't turn this into a bash. I am not advocating UGF's nor am I trying to discredit them. I simply want to hear personal experiences with them so I can better understand them. If you don't have any personal experience with them, I invite you to follow this thread and learn from those who do have experience with them.
I know UGF's tend to invoke strong emotions, please know this is not intended to be a debate. Please remember the forum rules:
"We take the "be nice" rule VERY seriously! We do not tolerate ANY rudeness."
Before you respond to this post with "Those are worthless and outdated, get a powerfilter/HOB/Canister filter" please read this entire post.
I have seen ALOT of posts and threads that bash on UGF's and state that they are worthless and outdated. I happen to have one (came with the used/established tank we first bought). As I sought to better understand how our new tank equipment functioned I became aware that there was a great disparity in how people talked about UGF's. Most people that dislike (or more realistically, hate) UGF's did not link their dissatisfaction to any personal experience with them. On the other hand the few that like them usually have years of experience with them and can very articulately explain why they like them.
What I would like from you:
Personal experience with UGF's (good or bad)
It would be very helpful if you could provide as much information as possible...
What type/model did you have (risers with airlines/air pump, power heads, etc.)?
What size tank?
What fish you kept?
Type of substrate? Depth of substrate?
Maintenance you did (method and how frequent)?
How long you used the UGF?
Why you got one in the first place?
Any training or research you did to know how to use them?
Method of testing water parameters?
Frequency of water changes?
Did you have live plants?
Did you even attempt them (live plants)?
What plants? What fertilizers?
Anything else you can think of that would be helpful or pertinent?
If you know someone who has experience with UGF's, I would appreciate it if you could direct them this way.
Please please....PLEASE don't turn this into a bash. I am not advocating UGF's nor am I trying to discredit them. I simply want to hear personal experiences with them so I can better understand them. If you don't have any personal experience with them, I invite you to follow this thread and learn from those who do have experience with them.
I know UGF's tend to invoke strong emotions, please know this is not intended to be a debate. Please remember the forum rules:
"We take the "be nice" rule VERY seriously! We do not tolerate ANY rudeness."