Undergravel filters good?

[Goldfish loach boy]

I have a 55 gallon tank, and my water was pretty dirty
I cleaned out about 70% of the water, the water is getting clearer, but my dad says its still too dirty and that he wants me to buy an under gravel filter
Are these good, or is another emperor filter better
Thanks

 

[Oscar98]

Another emperor would be better

 

[Fishanatic]

I have a 55 gallon tank, and my water was pretty dirty
I cleaned out about 70% of the water, the water is getting clearer, but my dad says its still too dirty and that he wants me to buy an under gravel filter
Are these good, or is another emperor filter better
Thanks

Don't get an under gravel filter. They are out dated models usually, they do tend to get clogged and break rather quickly. Research on them and reviews and you will undestand. Try getting another HOB or as you said an emperor filter.

 

[Goldfish loach boy]

Ok, I told this to my dad, but he insists he is tank expert, thanks, any more tips

 

[Fishanatic]

Ok, I told this to my dad, but he insists he is tank expert, thanks, any more tips

My only tip is not to get an ugf haha. It gets clogged rather quickly and does a poor job at clearing water compared to other types of filtration in my personal experience. I wouldn't even use one for a tank that size.

 

[azmodan]

Just out of curiosity but what do you mean by dirty? Are there lots of particles floating in the water or is it cloudy or tea-colored? How often do you do PWCs, gravel-vac, and clean your filters? Do you use polyfloss or something like purigen in your filter? Does your dirty water = bad water parameters when you test it? Hopefully we can keep your dad from spending extra money on an undergravel filter.

 

[Goldfish loach boy]

My only tip is not to get an ugf haha. It gets clogged rather quickly and does a poor job at clearing water compared to other types of filtration in my personal experience. I wouldn't even use one for a tank that size.

Hah, ok thanks

 

[Goldfish loach boy]

Just out of curiosity but what do you mean by dirty? Are there lots of particles floating in the water or is it cloudy or tea-colored? How often do you do PWCs, gravel-vac, and clean your filters? Do you use polyfloss or something like purigen in your filter? Does your dirty water = bad water parameters when you test it? Hopefully we can keep your dad from spending extra money on an undergravel filter.

Ok, I clean about 10 gallons off every three weeks(now I'm doing this weekly) and I just add water purifier, and thats it, the ten gallons come out by gravel vacuum, and I clean part of my glass only as I have plecos

 

[MMantelli]

Ok, I clean about 10 gallons off every three weeks(now I'm doing this weekly) and I just add water purifier, and thats it, the ten gallons come out by gravel vacuum, and I clean part of my glass only as I have plecos

You want to be doing 50% weekley and plecos have a huge bioload

 

[Ronnie05]

Go ahead and do as your father says.I recently added four more 55 aquariums to my basement and I always always use Undergravel filters.There's nothing better than using them when growing live plants as the help draw nourishing nutrients thorugh and to the roots.You just need to make sure during water changes you deeply vaccuum the gravel.i've had my own tanks for over 40 years and have never had a problem using a U/G filter.

 

[MMantelli]

I would reccomend another hob. Or a decent canister

 

[Ronnie05]

Everyone has their own ideas.I'd use both.

 

[MMantelli]

Everyone has their own ideas.I'd use both.

Yup all we can do is give advice in the end its up to them.