I thought I would post my positive experience with a traditional flow undergravel filter. I have UGF in both of my 20H goldfish tanks, driven by a W-Mart powerhead. The gravel is between 1.5 and 2 inches deep. I also have a "30 gallon" HOB filter on each of these tanks.
Current popular opinion seems to be that a person should either completely avoid UGF or use reverse-flow. My experience says that they work for me.
Yesterday I moved the tank to my wife's classroom and I got a very nice look from the bottom under the UGF plates. It was completely clean under there!
The tank has been running for probably 18 months now, stocked with a fancy tailed goldfish that has grown from 2 inches to at least 5 (in body length) and for the last couple months also with two messy plant eating apple snails.
I'll report back again on UGF when I move the tank home in 9 months. It surprised even me that there was literally NO MESS under the filter plates.
Current popular opinion seems to be that a person should either completely avoid UGF or use reverse-flow. My experience says that they work for me.
Yesterday I moved the tank to my wife's classroom and I got a very nice look from the bottom under the UGF plates. It was completely clean under there!
The tank has been running for probably 18 months now, stocked with a fancy tailed goldfish that has grown from 2 inches to at least 5 (in body length) and for the last couple months also with two messy plant eating apple snails.
I'll report back again on UGF when I move the tank home in 9 months. It surprised even me that there was literally NO MESS under the filter plates.