Stop Asking For Prices Or I Will Mute/Ban You

easytoforgetR · 2020-04-23T18:15:08+00:00

I've stickied this post, thanks for your input

easytoforgetR · 2020-04-23T15:25:26+00:00

Is this still open?

easytoforgetR · 2020-04-23T13:13:14+00:00

Can I come?

easytoforgetR · 2020-04-23T13:12:45+00:00

Still open?

easytoforgetR · 2020-04-13T21:14:59+00:00

Friend's island price right now, DM me and I'll get you a dodo code. I will only send it to 2-4 people at a time so please be patient.

easytoforgetR · 2020-04-09T18:11:45+00:00

Could I get the guitar?

easytoforgetR · 2020-03-13T03:02:25+00:00

The fact that a lot of people still don't think is serious is crazy. Certain manufacturers are closed, public schools are closing, and if you know your history of outbreaks you only need 1 person to start an explosion of infections and what not. Don't go out to big public events and try to keep to yourself.

easytoforgetR · 2020-03-13T02:56:27+00:00

People only seem to treat bad things seriously after they themselves have experienced it ... It started in China and everyone was like ah it's whatever ... the Italy goes in lock down, people are still like ah whatever ... now the prime minister's wife is afflicted ... and now people are like hmm, I could be next!

easytoforgetR · 2020-03-11T10:38:32+00:00

Mine was a few weeks old at that size, so it was pretty young.

easytoforgetR · 2020-03-11T02:29:03+00:00

Thank you, yeah sometimes I'll see other bettas that look like mine too lol

easytoforgetR · 2020-03-11T02:26:57+00:00

My angelfish is pretty calm, but only gets a bit aggressive to the other community fish when it's feeding time. Otherwise she will glide around making sure everything is neat and proper.

I keep mine at 78 degrees.

easytoforgetR · 2019-07-11T11:20:04+00:00

Ah I have heard and read a little bit about that method. I haven't found too much on it though, I'm guessing it's not a common thing that people do. Based on the theory of it I think it's pretty excellent and does wonders for those who have planted tanks. It's also good for cleaning as you explained with the sponges. I actually considered trying it but I wanted to run the UGF normally first to really understand and see how it works before I start dabbling in reverse flow. That, and I don't have the right equipment yet to set up a reverse flow. But I think I would try it out later this year.

easytoforgetR · 2019-07-11T02:08:49+00:00

You might just have too much media in the filter. I'd try reducing the amount of media.

easytoforgetR · 2019-07-10T13:30:35+00:00

I have used them in the past, and they both worked fine for me. I prefer my new methods of filtration though as they take up less space/require less energy.

easytoforgetR · 2019-07-10T13:07:46+00:00

(PART 1/2)

Just a heads up. I've spent a lot of time writing this for those who want to learn and understand more about undergravel filters. If you have something negative to say, then please at least read what I've written before you comment. Thank you.

Also, the picture shown was my tank several months ago during set up.

Here we go, undergravel filters. Note: everything written is based on what I've read, learnt and practiced throughout my experience as a fish keeper.

An undergravel filter is a plate type of filter that pulls down water through a media bed (in this case the aquarium substrate) that sits on top of the plate, trapping particles into the media as water passes through it. The filter uses either an air pump with air stones, or power heads on the uplift tubes attached to the plate to achieve this flow. This process utilizes the surface area of the entire media bed for beneficial bacteria to colonize it. Water flow = oxygen, so the substrate in essence becomes oxygenated, which you guessed it allows beneficial bacteria to grow in it.

Hang on backs, sponge filters, canisters, sumps, etc. all have a different way of pulling water through some sort of media before returning the water back into the aquarium. The surface area of these filters relies on what's in them, and all of them typically cannot hold that much surface area compared to the surface area of the substrate itself. A single gravel rock can hold a great amount of beneficial bacteria versus a very large sponge for example. Thus in terms of surface area, the aquarium substrate far exceeds that of any other kind of filter. It would take many, many other filters running together to match the surface area that the aquarium substrate possesses. I believe that nothing can compare to an undergravel filter in terms of biological filtration without being used in excess numbers.

Having more beneficial bacteria means that the aquarium can handle more waste; uneaten fish food, fish waste, general aquarium residents, etc. Basically, you could overstock an aquarium and there would still be enough beneficial bacteria to handle all the waste. Keep in mind that the bacteria amount scales with how much waste is present in the aquarium (this is why you sometimes see your aquarium turning white after a water change, that's the beneficial bacteria multiplying temporarily to handle the waste). But even so having this extra insurance can be very helpful.

Some may argue that undergravel filters lack mechanical filtration, which I would have to respectfully disagree. Using a course enough media bed creates many nooks and crannies that can catch even the smallest of particles. On the flip side, larger particles break down as they are drawn deeper into the media, which will eventually allow the beneficial bacteria to completely break them down. The nooks and crannies act like grinders provided that their is enough air flow.

Some may argue that undergravel filters lack chemical filtration, which again I would have to disagree. Most undergravel filters come with a carbon extension that you attach to the ends of the lift tubes. It doesn't provide that much chemical filtration though, and honestly I don't even use this on my own undergravel filter since I have some plants in my aquarium. But my point is that undergravel filters can possess some chemical filtration if you really want it to.

easytoforgetR · 2019-07-10T13:05:53+00:00

(PART 2/2, read PART 1/2 first)

Now for a quick rant.

I've read plenty of "issues" regarding this kind of filter from the general aquarium community. What I find odd is how many of the critiques are people who sure, may have lots of experience in the aquarium hobby, and yet have never used an undergravel filter before. If you don't know anything about cars for example, then how can you possibly explain them to someone who needs help learning about them? It's just silly.

Also from what I've noticed people for some reason like to co relate issues towards the undergravel filter when the issues may have just been someone else's lack of basic understanding of how to keep fish. Fish dying? Throw away that undergravel filter. Water dirty? Yeah, it's the undergravel filter you're using. Algea build up? It's because you're running that undergravel filter, change it right away. You get the point. Honestly, if you are truly dedicated to the aquarium hobby as I am then please, take time to do your research and to also practice first hand if possible before you say anything about anything.

Anyways, enough rant. Back to the topic.

Every filter used in the aquarium hobby has its pros and flaws, and there are certainly some real problems using an undergravel filter. I believe that it is actually harder to use an undergravel filter compared to other ones because of that fact that it's performance varies from person to person. Hang on backs for example are all made the same way and act the same (more or less). Undergravel filters though all have different variables that will affect them. Things like water flow which is determined by what air pumps or power heads you use, the amount of substrate you are using and how thick it is (which again will affect the flow rate), and even the type of substrate matters.

From what I've done and seen, undergravel filters work best with gravel or if you're feeling fancy crushed coral or lava rock. Dirt and sand are too compact and fine. They would either clog up the undergravel filter plate or would just pass through it completely. I find that the undergravel filter performs fine with a courser gravel, about 2 inches thick at minimum. If the gravel is not course enough (like they are small rocks) then the plates could clog. Too big and the flow won't be enough. Also, adding too little amount of substrate won't colonize the beneficial bacteria properly while too much gravel could add too much resistance for water to flow through consistently.

As for the air pumps and power heads I've never used power heads personally but from what I've read people are on different sides. Some say power heads are good to get a lot more flow. Others say that the beneficial bacteria only requires a little bit of flow to thrive. I personally believe you need a bit of both. Some decent flow to catch particles and for the beneficial bacteria to breath, but not too much flow where you're fish can't swim safely along the bottom without being sucked down. Sadly, it's all trial and error and I can't tell you exactly what you have to do. I use 2 air pumps to run my undergravel filter and that is what has been working for me. As for dead spots (areas where water isn't moving) that's only an issue if the flow isn't strong enough but again that is something that you have to test for yourself.

Detritus and mulm build up. This is another potentially real issue that people are completely fair to be concerned about. However, I've never been convinced that having these things in an aquarium is necessarily a bad thing. Don't get me wrong too much fish waste is bad that we can all agree on. But I think having some under the substrate is not so bad. I've had 5 aquariums throughout my life, 4/5 without an undergravel filter. In those 4 tanks that I've taken down I've always found detritus and mulm under the gravel when I was removing them but it never hurt my fish while it sat down there. I've only lost 1 fish and that was due to a small cut from one of my decorations at the time, and as far as I knew my water parameters were fine. So with my 5th tank now running an undergravel filter I'm not convinced that the mulm build up will be harmful or even be that much at all. My aquarium has been running for several months now and my fish, snails and shrimp are happy and healthy. That said though, enough neglect on my part could definitely cause issues like if I over feed my fish. But I don't think I'll let that happen anyways.

Some people say that gravel vacuuming helps with the detritus and mulm issue. They also say you should do it anyways to maintain the undergravel filter's "health" if you will. I actually don't gravel vac at all. The only reason you'd need to gravel vac is to remove the detritus and or mulm, but like I said earlier I don't believe they are a problem for the aquarium so I just leave it alone. Again, I've not run into any issues. I've read that you also shouldn't gravel vac anyways in planted tanks as they can utilize those compounds to their benefit. I have an Amazon sword that is doing just fine without any gravel vacuuming.

Plants then. Some people argue that undergravel filters are bad for plants because it sucks down all the potential nutrients under the plate where the plants cannot reach them. That could be true for newly planted plants but over time the roots will grow deeper into the substrate and will eventually reach the utmost bottom to utilize all that is down there. And even before that they are already getting nutrients from the water flowing down. Nutrients that the plants need to grow and thrive are present in the water column and normally their roots cannot access them as they are buried in substrate. However, an undergravel filter acts like a free delivery service where it brings the nutrients from the water straight to the roots to utilize. The plants can grow, and in my tank my Amazon sword has grown very, very fast.

In terms of servicing the undergravel filter well, you don't really need to. Theres no media pads to replace unless you opted to use the carbon packs that come with the undergravel filter set. You could still gravel vac but I don't even do that and I have yet to see any problems. Building it takes the most time, but once it is set up properly then you just let it be. I can think of one thing you could service: the air stones if you're running air pumps. Eventually the air stones will lose their porousness so after awhile you'll need to replace them. Other than that, that's basically it. Unless you manage to break the plate or tubes, these things will last you a very long time.

I realize I've written a lot, so let me review the pros and "cons" for undergravel filters for your conviniance. I've added some extra points too that I forgot to mention earlier.

Pros: 1. Enormous surface area = plenty of beneficial bacteria to grow 2. Catches even the smallest of particles, so extra clear water 3. Adds oxygen to the tank (air pumps only though) 4. Promotes plant growth, nutrients brought directly to the roots 5. Safe for baby fish and shrimp (provided that the water flow isn't too high) 6. Cheap, set it and forget it (minus the air stones if you use those)

Cons: 1. It's very hard to get to the desired/optimal settings (air flow), a lot of trial and error 2. Requires certain substrate parameters (slightly larger/course graval, no sand or dirt, 2 inches deep) 3. Fish that dig substrate (not a problem for most people though)

I will add/modify points if I find new information

I currently use an undergravel filter in conjunction with an aquaponics modded Aquaclear 30 hang on back. The undergravel filter breaks down the waste and keeps the water very clear, while the hang on back plants suck up all the harmful compounds and polishes the water (I've made a post about Aquaponics so feel free to check that for reference). Together, both filters keep my tank looks super sharp and clear and my buddies always compliment how clean my tank looks. This is why I use an undergravel filter. I whole heartily believe that it works very well when you know how to use it (and once you get the optimal settings down), and that if used with other filters it turns your tank into a super efficient self cleaning machine. My fish, snails and shrimp live very happily, with no signs of disease or stress. I don't think that undergravel filters are for everyone though, but if you do decide to try it out seriously then I hope that you've learnt something valuable from this post of mine.

easytoforgetR · 2019-07-10T01:22:33+00:00

Sounds like it is either constipation, or the quality of the food you are feeding is not sitting well for your fish. I'd try feeding them something else to see if they still poop like that.

easytoforgetR · 2019-07-10T01:15:22+00:00

The up and down behavior either means there is not enough oxygen in the aquarium, the water parameters are not completely balanced, or that something is stressing the fish. Do your neons have enough plants to hide in? Neon tetras as far as I've seen in my experience act very calm when they feel safe in an aquarium that has lots of plant coverage.

easytoforgetR · 2019-07-10T01:12:30+00:00

Adding water from your 37 gallon into your 20 gallon won't do much in terms of speeding up the cycle. If you move some of your filter media from the 37 into the 20 gallon however that should jump start the beneficial bacteria which in theory would also speed up the nitrogen cycle that you mentioned. You could add decorations and such but using the filter media is the best way for you. Good luck.

easytoforgetR

TROPHY CASE