| Do not use. |
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| use exclusively. |
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| on some of my tanks. |
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| I do but in combination with other types of filter. |
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| Never heard of them. |
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Starting Member
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/21/2012 1:37:51 PM
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| I am curios about how many folks still use under gravel filters and how folks deal with drawbacks such as dead zones and aquarium decorations etc. Bri
I Never met a fish I did not like, especially wrapped in seaweed and a little soy sauce.
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Average Member
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Last Login: 11/24/2012 9:00:12 AM
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i dont use them i think their a waste of money i still havnt
used one yet so yeah:-D
 Blub, Blub, Blub!
20 gallon: 4 Cardinal Tetras, 3 Cories, 5 Cherry Barbs,3 anubius, 4 Valisneria, 2 Amazon Swords, 1 Melon Sword, 1 Water Onion, 9 Java Fern, Java moss, Red Ludwigia, Green Cabomba, 2 Assassin Snails, 1 Mystery snail. 1 Cherry Barb fry!
Pond: 6 comets, a Shubunkin, (Closed Down for Winter)
Other pets: Peewee and Butters my two Budgies and Kitkat my Killer Cat!
Aiming to get another tank!
R.I.P list for Ammonia Spike: 4 Neon tetras, 5 Guppies, 1 Rubber lipped Plecostomus, 1 Mystery Snail, 2 female Bettas... R.I.P Newtete my Female betta  R.I.P Mr.Blubs My Red Ryukin Goldfish
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Starting Member
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Last Login: 4/30/2013 6:21:20 AM
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I have used this before in the past they are nice but you need a second filtration system. only thing it is good for is puling the lose big stuff to the gravel and using a gravel cleaner to get the stuff. I like them but to much work to maintain.
Fish are very nice pets they do not complain alot like other pets
Deep Water Reef Community Come join
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New Member
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Last Login: 7/21/2012 1:09:10 PM
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One came with my new 30 Gallon that I am cycling right now, but I didn't set the under gravel filter up because I was told they are too much trouble to maintain.  I just use an over the back filter in all my tanks.
 Fish Are God's Underwater Rainbows 
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Junior Member
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Another vote against undergravel filters. IMHO they're not really filters at all, just a mechanical means to keep waste particles in suspension so that a REAL filter can trap them. I guess you could argue that they are a biological filter, but no better than the rocks, gravel, decorations, filter media, or anything else you've got in your tank, including the glass itself. Have you ever lifted up an undergravel filter plate that's been in place for a year or so? What a mess!!
__ ///// "My Dempsey can / @ ) ) ) ) ) beat up your Dempsey"> ... ) ) ) ) ) ) //// \ ___ ) ) ) ) ) \\\\ \\\\
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Starting Member
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Cichlasoma_hollywoodi (6/29/2012)
Another vote against undergravel filters. IMHOthey're not really filters at all, just a mechanical means to keep waste particles in suspension so that a REAL filter can trap them. I guess you could argue that they are a biological filter, but no better than the rocks, gravel, decorations, filter media, or anything else you've got in your tank, including the glass itself. Have you ever lifted up an undergravel filter plate that's been in place for a year or so? What a mess!!
When I first started my aquarium I had a little help from my dad an he swore by the undergravel filters. He told me they were the best filters around! I did listen to his advice but after researching about the tank/fish/plants I wanted I decided on a canister filter for a more natural an less intrusive look. I love you dad but I believe your undergravel filter is out-dated... And yes I have cleaned beneath an undergravel filter before.... It's like black nastiness.
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Fish Moderator
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 4/12/2013 3:59:54 PM
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I used one about 30 years ago. They do not work that good. I feel they are a waste of money also.
Mr. Miracle Grow” for aquarium plants Help those in our hobby to exceed beyond their expectations.  Logistical Aquatic Engineer
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Starting Member
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Last Login: 3/19/2013 9:26:52 AM
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I used to use UG filters. I think all us old people did at one time. They seemed to work fine for me back then. Cleaning underneath them was extremely annoying though. Plus, plants and fish that dig, (one or the other of which I have in almost every tank I own), can cause real problems for them. There are much better options nowadays.
135 gallon Lake Malawi tank, (electric yellows)120 gallon (clown Loaches and strays) 60 gallon Planted, (tetras, cories, otos) 50 gallon brackish, (mollies, violet goby) 29 gallon brackish, (GSP) 7.9 gallon Fluval Flora, (betta)
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Senior Member
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brianp (10/17/2011)
I am curios about how many folks still use under gravel filters and how folks deal with drawbacks such as dead zones and aquarium decorations etc.Bri I have been keeping fish for a long time(1st tank 1978) and have used UGF on all my tanks(7) and on all my girlfriends tanks(6) and have had no problems. I put in the UGF,just enough gravel to cover the plate,then a peice of filter foam,then 2.5"-3" of gravel and the UGF is powered by HOB filters. But,whatever works for each individual is what the person should go with,this is of course for fresh or brackish tanks,not saltwater.
Shakespere says...to be or not to be?Fish hobbiests say....To buy or not to buy! 
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New Member
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Last Login: 2/13/2013 3:46:52 PM
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Under-gravel filters are only part of a filtration system. They are the biological filtration (and maybe a little chemical if you put the carbon/ammonia units on the top). Depending on your stocking, you will want a HOB or canister filter along with it.
~When I hear Bay-tah, I think there must be something rudimentary and unfinished about my fish...
But, I know my bettas are definitely the final and complete version.~
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