"NetMax" wrote in message
. ..
"Aquarijen" wrote in message
...

"JFF KRWD" wrote in message
ink.net...
Thanks for the info RedForeman....

You ask if it is a new tank or an up and running one. The tank is in
my
bedroom and I've been putting up with the noise of external filter
units
for
years... I finally decided to just switch to undergravel (since it
would
be
quiet) and be done with it. So, that is what I did... took off the
external
and install the undergravel. Was that an unwise thing to do? Anything
I
need
to do differently?

I appreciate your help...
Jeff.

Ackhhh! Maybe it is just me, but I'd put the power filter back and let
both
run for a while before removing the power filter. The UGF needs time
to
establish a good bacterial colony under there. That's the only way it
works. I have a UGF and a power filter...
Good Luck,
-Jen

ditto, check your ammonia and nitrite levels - now. If your external
filter has dried out, then your nitrifying bacteria population has taken
a hit and not yet re-established itself in the UGF, and if you installed
a UGF, you cleaned the gravel (another helpful bacteria colony). Three
carnivores (or big eaters) in an un-cycled tank will build ammonia real
fast.

btw: UGF don't generally work with fish which dig (ie: African mbuna),
unless you have a grill separator (otherwise they expose the UGF grill,
and they partially defeat the operation).

Quiet operation could be achieved with a canister filter, seeded from
your powerfilter (doh!).

Thanks... I'll do a ammonia check now (don't think I have a nitrite level
kit).

What does *seeded from your powerfilter mean*? If it means use the bactiral
culture from it, it's too late for that since it's been off the tank and dry
for a week or so.

Thanks,
Jeff