29 Gal Undergravel filter 1 uplift tube or 2

[zitiaquarium]

I have a 29 Gallon tank with an undergravel filter providing biological filtration and a hang on the back power filter providing mechanical and chemical filtration. When I originally set up the tank, I only set up one uplift tube with a TOP FIN 50 gallon Powerhead. Is this sufficient? or should I set up the other uplift tube too so I have a total of 2? I have 3 chromis, 2 turbo snails, and 2 hermits so far and all test readings are great. Tank is 8-9 weeks old. I will slowly be adding more fish - not too many, but maybe 3 more bigger fish, ie tang. Water movement is sufficient! Do I really need 2 uplift tubes?????

[Reefland]

You do not need any tubes because you should not be using an undergravel filter for a saltwater aquarium. Do a search on undergravel filters using the search feature and you'll see why.

[zitiaquarium]

Before starting my aquarium, I investigated the U/G. What I found is that opinions on the filter are 50/50. Some say bad, some say good. The fact of the matter is that it's been the workhorse of SW aquariums for many years. It's just since all these new modern filtration systems have hit the market that the U/G is now looked down upon. Here is a quote from a SW hobby book, "For many years, they (U/G's) have been considered the most efficient filters for saltwater aquaria, and no successful tank was found without one." You know who that quote is from?, Gregory Skomal, Marine Fisheries Biologist, an experienced and successful SW aquarist.

I do want to thank you for your 2 cents though and also for not answering my question.

Matt - ;)

[Poseidon]

What is the copyright date on that book, when was it published?

As for answering your question, did you actually search like suggested? This topic has been covered, and if you want to create a Nitrate factory under your gravel, go for it....

[zitiaquarium]

Copyright 2002.

I still see that no one in this thread can answer my question.

Matt -

[Poseidon]

More like no one wants to spoon feed you the answer... ;)

[tholleyh46]

Undergravel filters were once popular, have become obsolete - especially in a reef tank - just my opinion. In a 29G I think you would find something like a CPR bak-pak to be incredibly useful and much more conducive to a reef tank.

Again, just my opinion.

[Reefland]

Your question was clearly answered and your research methods, whatever they are, are clearly flawed. Any good research performed today in online or offline media would easily show that ugf's are not recommended today, and no where near 50% of aquarists would say that they or ok. Even without researching it is simple to see that they are not recommended just by looking at the equipment that is available at any reputable reef shop. The second thing that shows me your research is inadequate is your mention of a tang in a 29g aquarium. That is just as insane as the ugf.

The only upside to all of this is it has been entertaining reading and posting in your thread.
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[zitiaquarium]

Reefland and Poseidon,

Why don't you learn something from tholleyh46. A simple answer to a simple question, even though I don't have a reef tank. And Reefland, I know plenty of people that have a yellow tang in tanks way way smaller than the recommended 100+ gallon or 6 foot long tank and they have done just fine. Thanks! And lastly, Poseidon and Reefland, how old are you?

Oh yea, I already got my answer from a great resources within this forum and he gave me the ANSWER I was looking for. You guys should drop out of this forum since you do not seem to help people with simple questions. I am basically asking, should I use 1 or 2 powerheads. If you need to, go back to the original post to see the original question.

If you want keep your responses coming that's fine, this is becoming real FUN for me!

Matt -

[Reefland]

I don't know that my age is relevant, but the answer is 31. What was the "answer you were looking for"?

I thought that I had provided you with the simple answer to your question already. Without quoting, your question was is the use of an undergravel filter with 1 uplift tube attached to it sufficient for a 29g saltwater aquarium in which you plan to add a tang, or should you use a second uplift tube with your UGF?

In my 1st reply I stated that you should not be using any uplift tubes and therefore should not be using an undergravel filter at all. This method is obsolete in saltwater tanks and will cause more problems than provide benefits. In a saltwater tank the waste will accumulate under the UGF and cannot be processed, therefore will ultimately lead to an increased level of nitrates. Once this occurs the only way to remove the source of the nitrate is to remove the waste and that will require a complete tank tear-down. So although it is not the answer you may be looking for, you should move your current livestock to a temporary tank, remove the UGF from the 29g tank and start over. While doing so you should consider adding a protein skimmer to the tank and should do some additional research on what fish you want to add in the future.

Good Luck!
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[tholleyh46]

Even though you don't maintain a reef, I'd avise against the UGF, why are you so set on it. I'm curious.

Here is some good info: Aquarium Undergravel Filters (UGF) Information

These were popular in the 70s, and as a general rule; 1 inch of fish per 10 gallons of water in the tank. 29G = 3 inches of fish safely. Which is why I'd recommend the Bak Pak 2, not very costly, excellent filtration - more than enough for a 29G AND has a built in protein skimmer. Possibly would allow you to have a little larger than normal bio-load in the tank. My quarantine tank is 29G, I use the bak pak 2 on it and it gives me no problems. The setup works very well and is easy to maintain.

Just a thought. Pulling out the UGF for periodic cleanings will be labor intensive, just doesn't make sense if ya don't have to do it.

Just my opinion.

[charlie]

I would also advise against using a UGF, but since you seem bent on redoing your 29 gallon in about a year and a half, I would use 2 uplift tubes. Take all the garbage out of your HOB power filter, that will just become ANOTHER nitrate factory.
Since this is becoming fun for you, it is fun for me also.;) Let me give you a bit of history. I have 2 reefs, an 80 gallon, and a 300 gallon. Check my gallery if you like, see how they are doing. The 80 gallon is close to 10 years old now, and started with a UGF. My readings at 8-9 weeks were perfect also. Just a word here, 8-9 weeks is nothing in a fish only or a reef. After a year of running a UGF in my 80, my nitrate readings were over 80, and the hair algae was outgrowing everything else. Be prepared for this, because you will be back asking questions on what to do with your algae problem. The problem was fixed only when I tore out the UGF, installed a sump with a small refugium in it, and installed a sandbed in the display, about 4" of Aragamax.
You seemed to have read only one opinion about UGF, have you read anything by Eric Borneman, Anthony Calfo, Ron Shimek, Steve Tyree??? Or did you stop reading when you finally found someone that is going to support your thinking???? I would suggest opening your mind a little and reading other opinions.
Let me ask another question, what is your experience in this hobby, the people you are argueing with have at least 6-7 years apiece in this application. You are asking them how old they are, well how young are you???? And what difference does this make anyways????? Seems to me to be a response that a 12 year old would have!!!!!
Well, let's see, I have answered your question about how many powerheads you should have. I really think you need to do some more research, your 3 chromis are just about going to max out your bioload in this system!!!
And while I am at it, if you continue to rant against one of the owners of this place, and one of the moderators, I feel obligated to tell you that you aren't going to last real long here. We are more than tolerant of varying opinions, but I myself will not sit back and watch this insanity.

Oh, since you are interested in the age of your responders, I am 54 and have 10+ years experience in the saltwater hobby. I may have freshwater tanks that have been running longer than you are old.

JMHO

[Ramer]