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	UGF Problems
Garofoli Big Fish Posts: 337 Kudos: 143 Votes: 27 Registered: 12-Apr-2006	I was looking at my UGF and noticed gravel going about halfway up the intake tube. There is also a lot under the UGF plate. What do I do? Thanks. Chris
Posted 13-Jun-2006 03:25
fantasticaqua Small Fry Posts: 4 Kudos: 0 Registered: 01-Jun-2006	Personally I'd scrap the Undergravel system all together!! Find the worlds best aquarium sites at www.FantasticAquatics.com
Posted 13-Jun-2006 18:08
Garofoli Big Fish Posts: 337 Kudos: 143 Votes: 27 Registered: 12-Apr-2006	I was thinking that. Chris
Posted 13-Jun-2006 19:18
bettachris Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3875 Kudos: 4173 Votes: 452 Registered: 13-Jun-2004	nothing really. i this has happened to my ugf for over 10 years. anyway u can try using the python to suck up the gravel until the middle value, than when it gets full, reverse the water into a bucket or somthing .
Posted 14-Jun-2006 04:23
Garofoli Big Fish Posts: 337 Kudos: 143 Votes: 27 Registered: 12-Apr-2006	Well, Maybe I should just get rid of it. One of the powerheads is broken and I dont have a plate to cover that hole. Under the UGF is unbelivably dirty. Could that be causing high nitrates? Chris
Posted 14-Jun-2006 22:05
Callatya Moderator The girl's got crabs! Posts: 9662 Kudos: 5261 Registered: 16-Sep-2001	Most certainly it could be contributing. If you don't want to scrap it, stuff the hole with filter foam and pop a large rock over it or something after using the syphon hose to suck out a lot of the pebbles and junk For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett
Posted 15-Jun-2006 00:23
mughal113 Big Fish Posts: 343 Kudos: 160 Votes: 64 Registered: 16-Jun-2006	hi... i know its gonna sound crazy but i only have a UGF in my 30 gallon heavily stocked planted tank. the filter was DIY and I used pvc perforated pipe instead of the plates. The tank's been running for more than six months now but i never had any problem. just need to vaccum the gravel one every two weeks and thats it. i should credit my plants helping to keep the nitrates down. and once the UGF is established, the rate of waste decomposition is amazing. the planted plants have rooted nicely but as i dont have plates, there's not much of clogging.
Posted 16-Jun-2006 13:11
Garofoli Big Fish Posts: 337 Kudos: 143 Votes: 27 Registered: 12-Apr-2006	Well... I just took it out along with a 50% water change. There was so much junk underneath it was amazing. Chris
Posted 16-Jun-2006 17:01
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	I have been using UGFs for more years than I would like to remember and I have never seen or heard of that problem. As you have cleaned the tank was it connected correctly at the base if not the substrate could have entered the riser that way. Also did you ever do a regular deep substrate cleaning. With UGFs it is very important to have a very good strong air supply to make them work effeciently. Many of the stones used are totally useless as they contnually block up. there are some very plastic screw appart and they are perfect for the job as they are easly cleaned and never wear out. *Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info* Look here for my Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos Keith Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do. I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT? VOTE NOW VOTE NOW
Posted 18-Jun-2006 05:17


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