Undergravel filters?

[WapsiRat]

I've returned to the hobby after about 20 years away from it. Right now I've got a Marineland Eclipse12 with 10 assorted Tetras in it. I want to set my 55 gallon tank back up. I see that no one seems to use undergravel filters anymore which I have and used to use. Also, I had a Magnum canister filter but now it seems as if the popular setup is a Bio-wheel type of powerfilter that hangs on the back. What's the best to use and why?

[Algenco]

canistersthumbs2:

I too am an old UG hand, a lot of people have problems because of the amount of waste trapped in under the plates

[WapsiRat]

So I assume you prefer canisters Algenco, but what about the UG filters? I always used a siphon wand to clean the gravel.

[Sir Tristen]

Undergravel filters still kick around and they do work. Many just prefer the simpler maintenence of a power or canister filter. You can customize your filter media especially well in the canister and keep things flowing smoothly. Undergravel filters just get junk built up underneath and what not, take more maintenance (when you gotta clean 'em, it's quite a job compared to the newer types), and you can't throw different kinds of filter media in them. Nobody can say that they do not work, because they have and do. It's really a matter of preference and efficiency.

[Mith]

I had an underground filter in my 120 gallon I used to have. Made it from egg crate and screen (not the metal screen). When I finally broke down the tank, there was a fair amount of "mud" there. Not sure I'd want another setup with an underground setup.

[WapsiRat]

Thanks for all the input! I think I'll skip the UG as I remember there being a bunch of "mud" under them when I tore it down. I gonna stick with the canister though. It seemed to do a nice job.

[Rue]

I'm a HOB fan. I have 2 running on my 55g...works well...

Easier than canisters. Although I do concede for larger tanks a canister is the best option...over 90g...

[Fishguy2727]

I prefer sand over gravel anyways, so UGFs aren't in question for me.

Some people like them, but most people have moved on from them to filters that are much less maintenance.

Even when properly maintained UGFs can still cause some problems long term.

[Lady Hobbs]

I can see how they would still work with rocks in the tank, tho, and with reverse flow pumps. I like the rock work but would not want all the gunk buried so think in these cases, the reverse flow would work pretty well.