Removing UGF in favor of a canister

[mark5047]

Hi! I saw some other posts about removing a UGF, I decided that would be best for me to do but I was not clear on one point - during the process of converting to the canister do I leave the UGF running at the same time until the canister has an opportunity to build up a new bacteria bed? Or will the bacteria in the gravel be sufficient without the UGF running? FWIW, My UGF does not have a power head on it.
Thanks!
Mark

 

[Fishyfanatic]

In this situation, run the canister filter in conjunction with the ugf. After about 3 or 4 weeks, completly remove the ugf. You should have enough bacteria built up in the canister to avoid a cycle or even a mini-cycle. But test your water parameters for the first few days to make sure a cycle does not occur.

HTH and WELCOME TO AA!

 

[BrianNY]

Exactly as fishyfinatic says. When I disconnected mine I merely removed the uplift tubes and left the plate under the gravel. Some might disagree with that but as long as water and detritus aren't being forced through the plate, I don't see any problem and haven't encountered one.

 

[lyquidphyre]

I was thinking if he hooked up the canister filter, let it run a few days and removed the UGF that it would stir up enough crud in the tank that the canister would pick up, he wouldn't have to worry about a mini cycle

Thats just my thoughts on it, tho

 

[jrp1588]

I'd run them together for a while, shouldn't hurt anything, and it seems the safest solution.

 

[Zagz]

Running them together would be best. I'd have to agree that when you remove it the crud that gets stirred up will be a lot and will also help with the cycle. Or rather the avoidance of a cycle.

 

[mark5047]

Thanks everyone! My fish are doing fantastic and i dont want to mess that up by making a mistake. I will run them concurrently for a few weeks then pull the tubes from the UGF. I will eventually remove the plates because I cant see any benefit to leaving them. Baby steps!
Thanks again. Great forum!!
Mark

 

[poppab02]

Everyone's done a good job advising you, definitely run them concurrently for a few days. I just wanted to add 1 thing.
Pull the plates at the same time as the tubes, trust me. I tried it the other way, like you had planned. All you will do if you leave the plates in is create more of a mess. The crud under the ugf will just continue to muck up your tank worse. Pull the tubes and one side of the ugf all at once. Then wait a few hours for everything to settle and pull the other side. I had two 10's w/ ugf's and I pulled the plates on one and it was messy but not too bad. I ran out of time and only pulled the tubes on the other one. Then due to just sheer forgetfullness and laziness those ugf's sat there for a few months, by the time I pulled them it was a royal mess and just terrible for the fish, so bad in fact that I transferred them to another tank overnight. Best to do it all at once.

 

[mark5047]

Well, I finally got the chance to remove the UGF - canister and UGF ran at the same time for about a month. I was very surprised by 2 things - 1, it was VERY easy to remove the UGF and 2. There was very little muck under the UGF. Actually, almost none! Which tells me I did a decent job cleaning/vacuuming it I guess.
I will tell you this, my water has NEVER been cleaner!! It looks crystal clear now. Actually, I am seeing lots of imperfections in my glass now. Sheesh!!
Anyway, thanks a million to everyone who helped on this. My fishies are happier now I am sure

 

[Zagz]

LOL clear water has it's downsides I suppose but overall it is worth it. Congratulations on your successful UGF removal.