Newbie Question Part 2

[Gizela]

OK....the filter that came with my aquarium is the undergravel type....I
have read mixed reviews about these....

Are these OK? Are these as bad as some sites say they are? If not what is a
good type of filter to get?

HELP

Angela

[Dinky]

"Gizela" > wrote in message
...
> OK....the filter that came with my aquarium is the undergravel type....I
> have read mixed reviews about these....
>
> Are these OK? Are these as bad as some sites say they are? If not what is
a
> good type of filter to get?
>

UGF's are ok, and work, but are not real efficient, I don't recommend them
unless it's a small tank with few occupants. If you're looking for
efficiency and cost-effectiveness, look for a hang-on-tank type power
filter.

View a couple at the links below.

http://tinyurl.com/yc38
http://www.petdiscounters.com/aquarium/filters/hagen/index.html

The type with "bio-wheels" are very popular due to their high biological
filtration capacity, and the fact that you can change filter media without
destroying the bacteria colony.

For more information of filters, and equipment in general, read this:
http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-hardware.html

HTH

billy

[Gizela]

Another silly question.....do they have their own power source or do they
run off the pump I allready have???

This aquarium business is VERY confusing

TIA

Angela

"Dinky" > wrote in message
news:MZ8Bb.466943$HS4.3631978@attbi_s01...
>
> "Gizela" > wrote in
message
> ...
> > OK....the filter that came with my aquarium is the undergravel type....I
> > have read mixed reviews about these....
> >
> > Are these OK? Are these as bad as some sites say they are? If not what
is
> a
> > good type of filter to get?
> >
>
> UGF's are ok, and work, but are not real efficient, I don't recommend them
> unless it's a small tank with few occupants. If you're looking for
> efficiency and cost-effectiveness, look for a hang-on-tank type power
> filter.
>
> View a couple at the links below.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/yc38
> http://www.petdiscounters.com/aquarium/filters/hagen/index.html
>
> The type with "bio-wheels" are very popular due to their high biological
> filtration capacity, and the fact that you can change filter media without
> destroying the bacteria colony.
>
> For more information of filters, and equipment in general, read this:
> http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-hardware.html
>
> HTH
>
> billy
>
>

[Gizela]

Actually, ignore that....I went to the site and got my answer!!!

LOL

Angela

"Gizela" > wrote in message
...
> Another silly question.....do they have their own power source or do they
> run off the pump I allready have???
>
> This aquarium business is VERY confusing
>
> TIA
>
> Angela
>
> "Dinky" > wrote in message
> news:MZ8Bb.466943$HS4.3631978@attbi_s01...
> >
> > "Gizela" > wrote in
> message
> > ...
> > > OK....the filter that came with my aquarium is the undergravel
type....I
> > > have read mixed reviews about these....
> > >
> > > Are these OK? Are these as bad as some sites say they are? If not what
> is
> > a
> > > good type of filter to get?
> > >
> >
> > UGF's are ok, and work, but are not real efficient, I don't recommend
them
> > unless it's a small tank with few occupants. If you're looking for
> > efficiency and cost-effectiveness, look for a hang-on-tank type power
> > filter.
> >
> > View a couple at the links below.
> >
> > http://tinyurl.com/yc38
> > http://www.petdiscounters.com/aquarium/filters/hagen/index.html
> >
> > The type with "bio-wheels" are very popular due to their high biological
> > filtration capacity, and the fact that you can change filter media
without
> > destroying the bacteria colony.
> >
> > For more information of filters, and equipment in general, read this:
> > http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-hardware.html
> >
> > HTH
> >
> > billy
> >
> >
>
>

[NetMax]

"Gizela" > wrote in
message ...
> OK....the filter that came with my aquarium is the undergravel
type....I
> have read mixed reviews about these....
>
> Are these OK? Are these as bad as some sites say they are? If not what
is a
> good type of filter to get?
>
> HELP
>
> Angela

Undergravel filters (UGF) are excellent biological filters, but poor
mechanical filters and have no chemical filtration capability (carbon,
peat). The best applications for UGFs or RUGFs (UGFs run backwards) are
for low bio-load tanks, or in combination with other filters (which take
care of the mechanical filtration).

The UGF relies on an airpump/airstone or a powerhead. The water
travelling up the riser pipe pulls water through the substrate where you
have millions of hungry bacteria which break down all the waste products.
You usually still need to gravel vacuum periodically as the waste usually
accumulates faster than it can be broken down. This will be true for any
filter and any substrate except sand (if the filters are positioned to
collect the detritus sliding over the sand). hth

If you indicate the tank size and fish population planned, the answers
might be fine-tuned better.

NetMax