Undergravel Filter?

[Shootamonkey2]

Hi all, I was wondering if I would be better off without an undergravel filter. I got one because a friend of mine suggested it when my tank quality got out of control. But, I see other peoples tanks and they have some of the most beautiful tanks I've seen. The catch? No undergravel filter in sight. So again, I was wondering if I should keep my undergravel filter or take it out. Also, if I take it out, won't it screw up my bacteria cycling? My new 20G tank I got in February was said to be cycled already but just doesn't look like it.

[dane]

Hi all, I was wondering if I would be better off without an undergravel filter. I got one because a friend of mine suggested it when my tank quality got out of control. But, I see other peoples tanks and they have some of the most beautiful tanks I've seen. The catch? No undergravel filter in sight. So again, I was wondering if I should keep my undergravel filter or take it out. Also, if I take it out, won't it screw up my bacteria cycling? My new 20G tank I got in February was said to be cycled already but just doesn't look like it.

hi there you got some good advice in your last post about this from other people and myself . I suggest to you if your undecided or weary about our advice . Go get your self a liquid master test kit and test your parameters your self . then you will know if your tank is cycled and will show you how bad your water quality is and i assume that as you said you did a water change and your water was still smelly and yellowish a cycled tank with weekly water changes should be as

Ammonia 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 5,10- 20 max

live plants will also help with nitrates

[Northernguy]

I do suggest you remove it! Have the vacuum primed and ready as you lift it.
Get an Aqua Clear 30 or 50 HOB filter for it.

[Shootamonkey2]

I do suggest you remove it! Have the vacuum primed and ready as you lift it.
Get an Aqua Clear 30 or 50 HOB filter for it.

I have an Aqua Clear 20.

[Rhaethe]

An AQ20 for a 20g is the minimum you should go.

If it were me, I would return the AQ20 if you've not opened the package yet ... and then exchange it for an AQ30 or AQ50. Extra filtration is always a plus. :ssmile:

If you have opened it already, no worries ... AQ is a great brand of filter. Absolutely great.



I am not fond of undergravel filters, personally.

[Northernguy]

I have an Aqua Clear 20.
Add another 20 to the other end.Again a 30 or 50 would be better.
Right now your tank is under filtered.

[Shootamonkey2]

I doubt that. A friend of mine who is an expert at fish told me that my tank just needs to "do it's thing" (It just finished cycling).

[kel]

I doubt that. A friend of mine who is an expert at fish told me that my tank just needs to "do it's thing" (It just finished cycling).


You know..... You have asked alot of questions over the last couple days and everytime you get some great answers. Yet you always respond to those answers with "My set up is fine. I don't need to change anything". So since you have it all figured out.... why ask the questions?

If you aren't prepared to listen to advice, don't go looking for it.

[jimw/oscar]

I doubt that. A friend of mine who is an expert at fish told me that my tank just needs to "do it's thing" (It just finished cycling).

Since you have a resident 'expert' why not just stick with what he advises?