Newbie Q- Opinions on UGF AND UGH for African Cichlids

[M.DeSavoy]

Hi:

This is my first posting to this learned and amiable group. I have just
scored my first aquarium in over 15 years and am slowly conceptualizing what
and how I want it to look and function, more importantly I have decided that
African Cichlids are my ideal pets. However at this stage I want to plan
the tanks aquaculture as carefully as I can. I have heard some good
opinions on undergravel filters and heaters. I am however a little confused
as to what the setup might look like. Is there anyone among you who has
experimented in the past or who currently is using such a system. If so
could you describe what it consists of: How many power heads are you using 1
or 2? Are you also using an external filtration system in combination with
the UGF. what difficulties have you experienced with using an UGH?

Additionally recommendations on the various brands and models are requested.


Thanks in advance for your kind reply.


Sincerely;

M. DeSavoy

[NetMax]

"M.DeSavoy" > wrote in message
...
> Hi:
>
> This is my first posting to this learned and amiable group. I have
just
> scored my first aquarium in over 15 years and am slowly conceptualizing
what
> and how I want it to look and function, more importantly I have decided
that
> African Cichlids are my ideal pets. However at this stage I want to
plan
> the tanks aquaculture as carefully as I can. I have heard some good
> opinions on undergravel filters and heaters. I am however a little
confused
> as to what the setup might look like. Is there anyone among you who
has
> experimented in the past or who currently is using such a system. If
so
> could you describe what it consists of: How many power heads are you
using 1
> or 2? Are you also using an external filtration system in combination
with
> the UGF. what difficulties have you experienced with using an UGH?

The UGF consists of corregated plastic plates whose slots are small
enough to prevent small gravel substrate from falling through. The
plates can be interconnected, and can be run by one or multiple riser
pipes. The plates do not need to cover the entire bottom of the tank. A
suction method is connected to the riser(s), typically airstones,
powerheads or hoses running to external filters. With airstones,
multiple risers are typically used to increase the flow. With
powerheads, one is typically used in a central location. There is
nothing wrong with using 2 powerheads, but they must be the same power,
and if one ever fails, there will be a significant flow reduction through
the gravel (as the operating pump will draw water through the inoperative
powerhead, so the gravel flow will be much less than 50% normal). If not
using airstones, the flow direction can be reversed so the UGF becomes a
RUGF (not all powerheads allow this).

It is preferable to run multiple filtration systems (UGF+canister, or
UGF+powerfilter) for redundancy, and because the UGF alone is a poor
mechanical filter and has no chemical filtration capability. African
cichlids are diggers, and any exposed portion of a UGF plate will defeat
its operation (most of the water will flow through the areas of least
resistance). Hobbyists using UGF filters with African cichlids rely on a
screen of some sort to protect the substrate immediately above the plates
from being dug up. A sample of the crating used for this application can
be found at Home Depot SKU# A110-881.

I've no practical experience with UGH. AFAIK, there are no particular
brands of UGF equipment to avoid or seek. LFS usually carry plates from
only one manufacturer or another, so comparison is not practical.
Powerheads are quiet, long lived and usually very reliable water pumps.
They need to be submerged (keeps them cooler and they will be almost
silent). If using powerheads, there is no reason to have a tall riser.
This pipe can be cut down to almost nothing, but keep in mind where you
will be pointing the water flow. If using powerheads in RUGF, a
pre-filter will need to be attached, so the location should be suitable
for maintenance.

http://faq.thekrib.com/filters.html#types
hth

On my list of things to try is to connect 2 seperate UGF plates by a
single powerhead. The first plate (in the back) would be run in UGF
mode, and the output of the powerhead would run the 2nd plate (in the
front) RUGF. The back of the tank would be planted. The UGF plate would
be the pre-filter for the RUGF powerhead ;~)

NetMax

> Additionally recommendations on the various brands and models are
requested.
>
>
> Thanks in advance for your kind reply.
>
>
> Sincerely;
>
> M. DeSavoy
>
>
>
>

[TYNK 7]

(snipped)

>Subject: Newbie Q- Opinions on UGF AND UGH for African Cichlids
>From: "M.DeSavoy"
>Date: 12/1/2003 8:08 PM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>Hi:
>
>This is my first posting to this learned and amiable group. I have just
>scored my first aquarium in over 15 years

I love that term!
I just scored an anquarium!
Folks may think us an odd bunch, but we do get excited over new tanks! lol
Yeah! = )~

[MartinOsirus]

UGFs can easily get clogged. If you are going to use one - make it a reverse
flow UGF