UGF Abandonment

[sleeby]

So, I'm starting to think that you all are right about my being crazy to run an under gravel filter in a 110g.

I five cories, three dwarf frogs and two petricola cats who need food on the bottom and many, many fish above them also fighting for it.

I have an external cannister in addition to the UGF now and am thinking I will to add a second one and then turn off the UGF pumps and just leave the plastic down under there. Anyone see a problem with leaving the plastic egg crate under the gravel?

Since my two air pumps (two outputs each) would not be used any longer I could air a couple of air stones in the back to add more air if needed - I have small air stone things in the UGF tubes now.

Thoughts or suggestions? Thanks for any help!

[travie]

I wouldn't see a problem with leaving it, but you will want to remove anything underneath that will decompose into ammonia.

[gm72]

Why would you leave the plastic there? It's not that hard to just pull it up, is it?

[Northernguy]

I wouldn't see a problem with leaving it, but you will want to remove anything underneath that will decompose into ammonia.
How do you clean it without removing it?

Sleeby,I applaud your decision.You may now have an easier time with your tank.

[travie]

You could start a siphon in one of the holes that have the tube and airstone in it and suck up the debris. I was just saying it won't cause harm just being in there with no debris under it, but you might as well remove it since it won't have any use.

[sleeby]

But what would get under there in the first place if there was no longer suction pulling stuff under the gravel?

I guess I was thinking in case I ever wanted to use it again it would be there - easy to pull out but very hard to put back again! :-)

I wonder what would happen if I plumbed one of the canister filter's return to one of the holes in the egg crate (that the UGF tubes connect to) and then plugged the other three holes. Fresh water would then be pumped in under the gravel bed and so any in gravel sediment would have a weak force pushing up on it and back into the tank water for the intakes to pick up - kinda opposite what the ugf normally does. Might be interesting to see. . .might be a disaster too. heh.

[Algenco]

reverse flow UGF would be good

[Northernguy]

Remember your bacteria bloom the other day!
Remove it and it will never be a problem again.Dirt will always get under it and it will lead to more problems.

[gm72]

Agreed whole-heartedly.

[sleeby]

"reverse flow UGF would be good "

Anyone ever heard of this having been tried before?

[donvichu]

My suggestion would be to remove the ugf as all the dirt tend to accumulate under it even if the motor is not running.....

[TazManiac]

Reverse flow UGF's are on the market and are a reasonable alternative to the normal UGF's. I would remove it. Try to get as much out from under it as you can first though. They can make a mess of your tank.