Why UGF is not recommended?

[stupid_naso]

I need a very brief, clear, to the point explanation. Any experts on this matter? I heard it affects water parameters, how and what?
I currently have UGF connected to the power head. It's been working OK for awhile.
Thanks,
stupid_naso

 

[mr . salty]

The problem is that excess food and fish waste is FORCED down into the CC and this will eventually contribute to higher than normal nitrate readings...CC by itself has a tendancy to do this,but a UGF compounds the problem....

 

[twoods71]

Speaking from personal experience a UGF will trap uneaten food, fish crap, and other junk under the grill part of the filter. This junk under the filter will become a nasty sludge over time, the filter will start to fail (low suction) and the sludge will cause the water chemistry to become unbalanced.

 

[sinner's girl]

How long does it take for this "nasty sludge" to happen? And wouldn't "uneaten food, fish crap, and other junk" be removed when the tank was cleaned (ie siffoned (sp)) or eatten by the creatures in the tank? I'm just wondering, we had a ugf by itself without any problems in out 25 for about 2yrs. we had a ugf in our 55gl by itself for a few months then we added the bio-wheel (but we left the ugf in). With the bio-wheel is this "nasty sludge" still building up? btw our water has been perfect most of the time, and when it's not there is reason for it (ie-dead creature not removed, due to us not knowing he was dead). we never had high nitrate reading in the 25gl (with only the ugf).
Just wondering, Thanks...

 

[stupid_naso]

First, I have an UGF and bio-wheel together working in the same tank. Second I have lr and ls, not cc. But I do experience a problem with nitrate. It's still below 40, but it's not zero.
Do you think it'll be best to remove the UGF?

 

[jlem]

I have known more than one person who have only ugf. I don't, but if I had one that had been working for awhile then I would leave it. If you are siphoning during water changes and it's not broke, then why change it. Very few people go years without messing with their tanks anyways, so cleaning the ugf every year or so shouldn't be a big deal.

 

[stupid_naso]

I'm taking it out, because I'm gonna start with corals soon. Just want to let you guys know .
stupid_naso

 

[twoods71]

I had my ugf in a freshwater tank for about 3 years and thought everything was good. Then I broke my tank down to convert to saltwater. It wasnt until after I removed the ugf did I see all the crap under there. I do admit however that I probably could have vacumed the gravel more often then I did in that freswater tank.
Also many of the lfs in my area no longer sell ugf systems because of there out dated technology. Many times 1 power filter on a tank will do the trick just fine.
stupid_naso, I am curious as how you are running a ugf with ls. It seems to me that the sand would fall between the cracks of the ugf grill. Did you use some kind of fine screen or something?

 

[ebeckels]

ya good point...that would seem impossible and almost certainly clog the filter up...almost instatntly!

 

[mr . salty]

Must be a TYPO,Not only will sand fall through the grill,but sand is too fine and water will not pass through it properly.Especially after it gets packed down from the UGF trying to suck through it...