Right, straight away I'll state that I'm only commenting on this video so that anyone else that's thinking of doing the same thing and takes the time to read these comments will benefit from my input. UGFs are a great natural filtration system for any tanks that are 60 gallons or less, anything larger will need a dedicated (and more expensive filtration system). Point 1- It's called an undergravel filter NOT an undersand filter, the water has to pass freely through the gravel to allow proper aerobic water circulation, using sand will cause an anaerobic (non oxygenated system) and if that's what you want then you're better off NOT using an UGF at all. Point 2- If you're going to use an UGF at least use one that connects the whole of the plates properly, the example She has used only works effectively on the plates that the uplift tubes are connected to. You'll either need an all-in-one purpose built single section that's long enough to cover the whole of the base of the tank or a kit one where the plates all lock together securely for better air flow. What she has managed to do is only have a poorly functioning (because She used sand) UGF at either end of the tank. Point 3- Don't stick carbon filters (or anything else) into the top of an uplift tube, as it filters it'll slowly clog which will over time reduce the water circulation and eventually lead to gravel death. The whole point of using an UGF is to create another living organism inside you're tank, one that'll eventually (once established) help with the Ammonia-Nitrite-Nitrate cycle and it needs a good water flow to succeed at doing this, otherwise you're starving it ! Would you starve your fish ? Well don't starve your gravel either ! As they need the Ammonia to get the whole toxic to safe cycle working. Point 4- When using UGFs it's important to allow the tank time to 'set', it'll immediately work as a mechanical filter but the organic side of it takes a good while longer. I use small fish like Guppies (or Platys, Mollys, etc.) to season the tank first. Drop them in, feed them and wait for the bacteria 'bloom' to happen, generally (depending on the size of the tank) this will happen within two to three weeks, the tank will suddenly go cloudy and then within 24hrs it'll go crystal clear. This is the bacteria blooming and then dying back, it's not just one type of bacteria but a myriad of them, it'll go out-of-balance first and then settle down in equilibrium to each other, then and only then is it safe to take out the 'test' fish and put your precious fish into your new tank. Point 5- Whenever you see an idiot on YT talking absolute BS you're better off reading the comments than listening to the self proclaimed genius, you can learn a lot more from other fish keepers than you can from some budding UA-camr who are just trying to pad out their channel with half truths and idiotic idea videos, and before you ask - I've been keeping freshwater aquariums for over 40 years, specialising in community Biotype tanks (catfish, tetras, cichlids & plants from only one region eg. Amazon, Orinoco Basin, Rift lake etc.), I don't know everything but I know a few things about keeping healthy & happy freshwater fish.
My daughter’s hydroponic tank suggested using one of these. Do you happen to know how to attach it to a pump? Do I need a second pump so each side has one? Or is there a way to connect both little tower things to the same pump?
@@wendymford you just need an air stone for each uplift tube, just use airline to connect them to your air pump, you can get airline splitters from most local fish shops so that you can connect two air stones to a single outlet air pump but just make sure that the pump is powerful enough to direct air through both stones to create proper circulation.
I love watching people use these UG filters and refer to them as Old School.. LOL I've been keeping fish 45+ years and started out using UG filters but in all reality, sponge, HOB and canister filters were all around back then too so while still more popular now, they are actually just as Old school as Under gravel filters are.. I must say though, Under Gravels are the best.. Ive pretty much tried everything else over the years but I always end up back using the UG filters.. AT the moment I have 2 tanks that have ben going 6 years since they were set up with UG filters and they are still going great.. The other tank I have that dont have gravel have Sponge or HOB filters and hate to say it but they are no where near as easy care as my UG tanks.. Ill be upgrading all my tanks with Gravel and UG's pretty soon.
@@DEXTER-TV-series With UG filters you just leave them.. you never need to clean out anything, no need to replenish filter medium every few months.. I have tanks that have been going well over 6 years and not had to change anything or wash out any sponges.. I do sometimes stir a part of the gravel and then do a water change..
Back in the late 70s on a low budget used under gravel filtration with cold water fish ,stoney loach ,catfish,goldfish ,wild scoured snails.never cleaned rear and sides they grew thick with algae . My gravel was 3 inches deep and the loach disappeared each winter into the gravel. Use lots of gravel and few fish!
I like to put in under gravel filter in only a part of my aquarium that is easy to gravel vac. Then when I do gravel vac I really hit that area good and not so much the rest of the tank.
@el flesh Yes, but Isabella cut the tabs underneath the plates. According to Penn Plax's instructions, those tabs should not be cut specifically on the plate using a powerhead because it will restrict flow from the air pump in the second tube. If she switched to a powerhead, she would need to use one on each tube.
big mistake without those two middle tubes that area underneath those center plates is dead zone. There is no way, since they have solid sides for any of that center to suck water thru. Your whole center is just like a plain sand bottom. Redo this and do it right this time and add those center lift tubes.
@@kentmccroskey8161 Why is sand going to impede the function of the UGF? Isabella clearly showed us the window screen (at 5:25) she cut to prevent the sand and detritus from clogging the system.
@@wyzemann Too dense and won't have the proper flow unless you have a very small number of fish in the tank. Take a flower pot of sand and one of gravel, pout water into it and see which one flows better. I stand behind what I said.
@@kentmccroskey8161 I understand now. You are more concerned with maintaining aerobic bacteria. My future use of UGF is primarily to harbor & cultivate anoxic bacteria colonies alongside a canister filter for all other functions. Thank You, Kent, for the tip about the sand. The more informed, the better.
@@wyzemann Sorry if I sounded a little bit like a jackass. I comment a lot on stock market videos and this was one of those days where I was repeatedly called an idiot and was fast to be defensive. My apologies. You may not need a canister filter. I used to breed Angels and Discus and sold hundreds of thousands of them to a wholesaler almost 40 years ago. Naturally, most my tanks were bare bottom and I used sponge filters but I also had display tanks with UGF's. Currently, I have 2 55 gallon display tanks with UGF's as it's more of a hobby with me these days. Both are crystal clear despite being heavily populated and doing about 15% water changes a week. Posted a pic of some wild caught Altums a few months ago on a webpage and a woman commented that the water was so pristine it looked like the Angels were floating in air. I'm a huge fan of those cheap ass filters.
Hi Izabella, Strange coincidence. I was thinking of trying this old school filter in my 60 gallon. I have seen people use power heads instead of air pumps. I may try that and see which works the best. I thought your comment about some people using bio media under the plates Sounds like a good idea. I may go that route. Sounds like this would keep your substrate clean and help keep nitrates low. Is this the 1st time you tried this type of filter?
_I have seen people use power heads instead of air pumps... Sounds like this would keep your substrate clean and help keep nitrates low_ You will not reduce nitrates by strong water flow by power head!
@Poquito Mio She may already have it. If her flow is low enough and that screen cover keeps the detritus away from under the plates, then she'll probably have achieved the minimum requirements for an Anoxic zone as per Dr. Novak's numerous vlogs.
Izabella AquaZone same reason the filter itself is tapered, waste will tumble to the front so it can be vacuumed out easily. Under gravel filters rely on regular gravel bed maintenance
Izabella AquaZone www.thesprucepets.com/undergravel-filter-controversy-2920927 Give this a quick read, it can help illustrate the role of an under gravel filter.
Right, straight away I'll state that I'm only commenting on this video so that anyone else that's thinking of doing the same thing and takes the time to read these comments will benefit from my input. UGFs are a great natural filtration system for any tanks that are 60 gallons or less, anything larger will need a dedicated (and more expensive filtration system).
Point 1- It's called an undergravel filter NOT an undersand filter, the water has to pass freely through the gravel to allow proper aerobic water circulation, using sand will cause an anaerobic (non oxygenated system) and if that's what you want then you're better off NOT using an UGF at all.
Point 2- If you're going to use an UGF at least use one that connects the whole of the plates properly, the example She has used only works effectively on the plates that the uplift tubes are connected to. You'll either need an all-in-one purpose built single section that's long enough to cover the whole of the base of the tank or a kit one where the plates all lock together securely for better air flow. What she has managed to do is only have a poorly functioning (because She used sand) UGF at either end of the tank.
Point 3- Don't stick carbon filters (or anything else) into the top of an uplift tube, as it filters it'll slowly clog which will over time reduce the water circulation and eventually lead to gravel death. The whole point of using an UGF is to create another living organism inside you're tank, one that'll eventually (once established) help with the Ammonia-Nitrite-Nitrate cycle and it needs a good water flow to succeed at doing this, otherwise you're starving it ! Would you starve your fish ? Well don't starve your gravel either ! As they need the Ammonia to get the whole toxic to safe cycle working.
Point 4- When using UGFs it's important to allow the tank time to 'set', it'll immediately work as a mechanical filter but the organic side of it takes a good while longer. I use small fish like Guppies (or Platys, Mollys, etc.) to season the tank first. Drop them in, feed them and wait for the bacteria 'bloom' to happen, generally (depending on the size of the tank) this will happen within two to three weeks, the tank will suddenly go cloudy and then within 24hrs it'll go crystal clear. This is the bacteria blooming and then dying back, it's not just one type of bacteria but a myriad of them, it'll go out-of-balance first and then settle down in equilibrium to each other, then and only then is it safe to take out the 'test' fish and put your precious fish into your new tank.
Point 5- Whenever you see an idiot on YT talking absolute BS you're better off reading the comments than listening to the self proclaimed genius, you can learn a lot more from other fish keepers than you can from some budding UA-camr who are just trying to pad out their channel with half truths and idiotic idea videos, and before you ask - I've been keeping freshwater aquariums for over 40 years, specialising in community Biotype tanks (catfish, tetras, cichlids & plants from only one region eg. Amazon, Orinoco Basin, Rift lake etc.), I don't know everything but I know a few things about keeping healthy & happy freshwater fish.
Yeah thats definately not going to work with sand. My word and theres hardly anyone even noticing it. Wow.
My daughter’s hydroponic tank suggested using one of these. Do you happen to know how to attach it to a pump? Do I need a second pump so each side has one? Or is there a way to connect both little tower things to the same pump?
@@wendymford you just need an air stone for each uplift tube, just use airline to connect them to your air pump, you can get airline splitters from most local fish shops so that you can connect two air stones to a single outlet air pump but just make sure that the pump is powerful enough to direct air through both stones to create proper circulation.
I love watching people use these UG filters and refer to them as Old School.. LOL I've been keeping fish 45+ years and started out using UG filters but in all reality, sponge, HOB and canister filters were all around back then too so while still more popular now, they are actually just as Old school as Under gravel filters are.. I must say though, Under Gravels are the best.. Ive pretty much tried everything else over the years but I always end up back using the UG filters.. AT the moment I have 2 tanks that have ben going 6 years since they were set up with UG filters and they are still going great.. The other tank I have that dont have gravel have Sponge or HOB filters and hate to say it but they are no where near as easy care as my UG tanks.. Ill be upgrading all my tanks with Gravel and UG's pretty soon.
_they are no where near as easy care as my UG tanks_
What is the difference in the care?
@@DEXTER-TV-series With UG filters you just leave them.. you never need to clean out anything, no need to replenish filter medium every few months.. I have tanks that have been going well over 6 years and not had to change anything or wash out any sponges.. I do sometimes stir a part of the gravel and then do a water change..
Tbh, we don't even own fishes or tanks but we like your pleasant attitude and you have a charming accent.
You're so.sweet ! Thanks for sticking around !
@@AquazoneQC came across your channel because your carnivore video came up as a suggestion and subbed immediately!
Aww that's cool thanks !!
I'm old skool. I still use an undergravel filter in my 125 litre tank. They do the job.
Good to see these are still going .your videos are a good range for us to watch
Thanks Thomas !
That takes me back, my father used to use under gravel filters when I was a kid. Will be great to see how you get on with it 🤓
Back in the late 70s on a low budget used under gravel filtration with cold water fish ,stoney loach ,catfish,goldfish ,wild scoured snails.never cleaned rear and sides they grew thick with algae . My gravel was 3 inches deep and the loach disappeared each winter into the gravel. Use lots of gravel and few fish!
Love your video girl appreciate you making this video just baught this and wanted to see how the quality was!
That’s old school. My first fish tank had one of those about twenty years ago..... man do I feel old.
Wow those are pretty old. I haven’t used one in about 15 years lol
Back when I had a Red Eared Slider turtle. Very easy to maintain. Nice video 👍
Thanks Raul!
Izabella AquaZone No problem
I enjoy watching ur videos 😀
Love these filters but did you ever consider reading the directions? WOW!
??
i didnt think these can work with sand
oh man i feel old too i had under gravel filter in my aquarium when i was a kid
I like to put in under gravel filter in only a part of my aquarium that is easy to gravel vac. Then when I do gravel vac I really hit that area good and not so much the rest of the tank.
see growing up my mother fish tank had an under gravel plate but ran to a filter in the back that had sand and gravel in it.
Can you use these without the air outlet vein under water for a frog tank?
Any update?
How is that working with sand. U cant use a sand bottom with an undergravel filter. Am i missing something here.
Whath Kevin Novak's videos. He set up gold fish tank with sand and reset it one-two years later because it was too dense.
Air pump not nearly as strong as a power head on 1 piece UG filter. My plants grew like you wouldn't believe at the time when I had that setup.
air pump is strong too if you use a stronger type of air pump
@el flesh Yes, but Isabella cut the tabs underneath the plates. According to Penn Plax's instructions, those tabs should not be cut specifically on the plate using a powerhead because it will restrict flow from the air pump in the second tube. If she switched to a powerhead, she would need to use one on each tube.
@@doctorpetrovich9296 I have the largest new Whisper they make. Had to be ordered by a store.
@@wyzemann I see - the new UG filters aren't made 1 piece per tank size I guess.
@@fleshanthos that's great buddy
big mistake without those two middle tubes that area underneath those center plates is dead zone. There is no way, since they have solid sides for any of that center to suck water thru. Your whole center is just like a plain sand bottom. Redo this and do it right this time and add those center lift tubes.
Yeah, but with the sand, it's never going to function worth a crap anyway. I'm still a big believer in UGFs, but wouldn't use sand.
@@kentmccroskey8161 Why is sand going to impede the function of the UGF? Isabella clearly showed us the window screen (at 5:25) she cut to prevent the sand and detritus from clogging the system.
@@wyzemann Too dense and won't have the proper flow unless you have a very small number of fish in the tank. Take a flower pot of sand and one of gravel, pout water into it and see which one flows better. I stand behind what I said.
@@kentmccroskey8161 I understand now. You are more concerned with maintaining aerobic bacteria.
My future use of UGF is primarily to harbor & cultivate anoxic bacteria colonies alongside a canister filter for all other functions.
Thank You, Kent, for the tip about the sand. The more informed, the better.
@@wyzemann Sorry if I sounded a little bit like a jackass. I comment a lot on stock market videos and this was one of those days where I was repeatedly called an idiot and was fast to be defensive. My apologies. You may not need a canister filter. I used to breed Angels and Discus and sold hundreds of thousands of them to a wholesaler almost 40 years ago. Naturally, most my tanks were bare bottom and I used sponge filters but I also had display tanks with UGF's. Currently, I have 2 55 gallon display tanks with UGF's as it's more of a hobby with me these days. Both are crystal clear despite being heavily populated and doing about 15% water changes a week. Posted a pic of some wild caught Altums a few months ago on a webpage and a woman commented that the water was so pristine it looked like the Angels were floating in air. I'm a huge fan of those cheap ass filters.
so you don't need another filter to make the water clean? DO you still need to suck the poop out of the sand by yourself?
Hi Izabella, Strange coincidence. I was thinking of trying this old school filter in my 60 gallon. I have seen people use power heads instead of air pumps. I may try that and see which works the best. I thought your comment about some people using bio media under the plates Sounds like a good idea. I may go that route. Sounds like this would keep your substrate clean and help keep nitrates low. Is this the 1st time you tried this type of filter?
It's.my.first time also :)
Well I will let you be my test subject. Keep me updated on how well it works!
Sorry for silly question but What is power head ?
Sorry I am newbie so trying to figure it out what is what
@@pinrainbow6994 it's an aquarium mini pump machine
_I have seen people use power heads instead of air pumps... Sounds like this would keep your substrate clean and help keep nitrates low_
You will not reduce nitrates by strong water flow by power head!
Why not try this as a plenum to create an anoxic filtration. Just a suggestion.
@Poquito Mio She may already have it. If her flow is low enough and that screen cover keeps the detritus away from under the plates, then she'll probably have achieved the minimum requirements for an Anoxic zone as per Dr. Novak's numerous vlogs.
Make sure your substrate is low in the front and taller in the back.
Why's that ?
Izabella AquaZone same reason the filter itself is tapered, waste will tumble to the front so it can be vacuumed out easily. Under gravel filters rely on regular gravel bed maintenance
@@athomeontwo haaaaa! good to know
Izabella AquaZone www.thesprucepets.com/undergravel-filter-controversy-2920927
Give this a quick read, it can help illustrate the role of an under gravel filter.
Hi is this for 55g, what is the size of each pannels? thanks
Dimensions are on Amazon.com when looking at product information
Do I have to use gravel or sand? Can I use it as is? I have snails would they get stuck?
You have have both or mix both, I love so mix substrates tbh it's.more.plant nutrituous
@@AquazoneQC I mean do I have use them, as in can just use the filter as is? Just lay it down and let it run.
@@manbenitez247 you have to cover this yes.
@@AquazoneQC awww, well I'm glad I've asked you. I don't really use gravel or any sorts, I have Java ferns and moss in place.
Under-gravel, not Under-sand thou, that's going to clog up those plates pretty quick
I used an extra mesh and big grain sand. It works good now a few months pasted
@@AquazoneQC How did you attach it to the pump? Or do you need two pumps so each tower has one?
I am OLD Too...…...…:)