Carlos & Siran Posted June 15, 2009 Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 Hi guys how's it going? We have a 100ltr tank and it came with two Aqua clear media filers(30 and 50) but no under gravel system. We've had the tank set up for two weeks, it came with heaps of platies and plants. We gave away most of the fish after the first week, but I didn't want to vacuum the gravel until the plants had become established. I finally did a vacuum yesterday and the smell took me by surprise, it smelt really pooey and nasty. My first tank had a under gravel filter and I bought a large cartridge filter for it and I don't ever remember the gravel smelling as bad. Do you think an under gravel filter along with the media filters would help? Or is it because I left it too long to do a vacuum? Thanks guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave+Amy Posted June 15, 2009 Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 no diff between having a undergravel filter vs. not for me..siphon heaps if you feed heaps I do daily siphoning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted June 15, 2009 Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 I think it was just a case of the lack cleaning maintenance. You should not need an undergravel filter. It is when it smells really rotten you need worry, and big stinky bubbles come up when you shove the siphon into the substrate. Depth of gravel can make a difference too. Deep stuff can get 'dead' patches which stink when disturbed and are toxic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JarrenB Posted June 15, 2009 Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 I have spent the last few weeks getting rid of my undergravel filters, they dont take any dirt out of the tank they just drag it to the bottom. :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted June 15, 2009 Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 They couldn't remove it from the tank though and are not expected to. UGFs drag it under and that is where the good bacteria grow. I have used UGFs for many years and never had a problem with one. I only use them in small tanks though as I don't think they are efficient enough for larger ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos & Siran Posted June 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 Thanx for the info guys. I've started doing a 50% water change and vacuum on Sundays and just a 50% water change on Wednesdays and so far the tank glows under the lights. Think I'll just leave things as they are and see how she goes. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave+Amy Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 good on you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.