should i use an under gravel filters

[blpring]

:help:
can anyone tell me if they recommend using and under gravel filter?
I have been told its good and bad.. any info woudl be greatly helpfull..
I have a 125gal. tank that has been up for about 6 months. it seems the only algee i can get to grow is brown.. one the glass and just below the surface of the substrate. I have an undergravel filter now.. should i stop using it ?

 

[monalisa]

It's my understanding that most that start with UG filters end up taking them out before too long...bacteria traps. I'm pretty new to this too. I'm sure there are others who can explain the problems with UG filters much better than me.
Lisa :happyfish

 

[thegrog]

Do you have gravel or sand in your tank?
Very few that I have encountered actually use under gravel filters (ugf's) for salt water. They become bacteria traps and sources of waste products that promote cyano growth (the brown algae you have). A 1-2 inch sand bed of fine sand with some critters to stir the sand up (snails) will do a far better job than a ugf. A 6" sand bed (DSB) will do even better, but that is another discussion.
My opinion is to loose the filter completely. Just not using it anymore will make the situation even worse as pockets of waste material will acumulate and cause your water parameters to get out of whack.

 

[trainfever]

If you are using live rock, then get rid of the UGF. The live rock will support all the bacteria you will need. If you do not plan on using live rock, then using the
UGF won't be bad. The bad thing about UGFs is that once a year, you will have to completely dismantle your tank to clean under your UGF. So keep this in mind as to whether you really want to use one.