Under gravel vrs hang on filters ?

Question

I have had the hang in filters (aqua and whisper) For year and like them .For ease of cleaning and performance.

But just we'r putting together a new tank so was wondering is there

any advantage to the under gravel then the hang on? I know I still have to clean gravel .

Is the cost of filter media less?

Do you need a power head ? The kit I looked at has one but I see them with out.

It seems the under gravel is more and more common.

Answer 1

I don't know about under gravels. I've never used one, and I've had a few people try to explain them to me but I still don't understand.

I bought one of these for my 49 gallon:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/pr...

its really good.

Answer 2

Personally I strongly dislike under gravel filters. Think about it, if they're under the gravel, how do you get the waste out of the tank? You can't, that is unless you upturn your entire tank. The waste caught in it ends up dissolving back into the water and poisoning your fish. Hang on filters are much easier and better for your fish. Aquaclear is a good brand as well, it's made by the same people who make the Fluval canister filters. I believe you do need a powerhead for a UG filter in order to get water to pass through the filter. Hope this helps, and good luck setting up your new tank!

Answer 3

I've been raising tropical fish for 40 years and the invention of hang on outside the tank filters are the best thing I have seen in the hobby.Before that under gravel was the big thing . With under gravel filters you got to remember you are not removing any pollutants, they are just hidden under the gravel . As for cost there are kits at Petsmart and Petco that you can buy and make your own new cartridges this cuts the cost in half. For me the outside the tank filters are the best .

Answer 4

its easier to clean hang on types, so I go for those and they are just as effective. Unless you are very diligent, undergravel are less effective as they generally wont get cleaned as often.And they stress the fish more, as u have to take the whole tank apart.

Answer 5

UGF.........terrible choice overall.

upside it has very good biological capacity when operating right.

Downside.....can not add live plants to tank and are hard to clean but worse there ticking time bomb as they can build up over time and one morning you will witness the worst algae/bacteria overload you can imagine.

Really I think fish hate them too water gets pulled down and not whoosh across threw there gills and its just an akward sensation for them. IMO

Hang on filters...nothing beats aquaclears IMO.

You can fully customize the basket to your liking.

For my 20g pea puffer tank i use an aquaclear 30.

1 sponge

100 micron fabric

50 kit of bio-max

30 kit of bio max.

Odd time throw in sack of black diamond carbon for a week

Massive bio-load capacity and costs 12 bucks every 2 years to run.

I raise the filter so it splashes the water to super airate the water and it creates a nice bubbles...no ugly bubblers needed.

Adjustable flow and runs quiet once it slimes up.

You can seed other tanks easly etc......

I use another 30 as my secondary filter on my 46 bow as the airater and second filter and i can customize any media needs without cracking open the eheim.

just a great filter because it gives you all the control.

Good Luck!!!

  

Answer 6

Actually under gravel filters are becoming less and less common. They are more difficult to maintain and don't work as well, especially for large tanks. Stick to hang on or internal power filters. External canister filters are usually the best but they are more expensive. If you have a very large tank or sensitive fish they can be worth it though.