Tropical Fish Forum
Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => New Fishkeepers => Topic started by: mirrorcarp27 on December 21, 2013, 11:54:25 AM
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Hi new to this site
I need some help please I have a tropical fish tank which is 18 inches high, 12 inches width, and 40 inches in length I am going to use an under gravel filter system which is 11 x 35 inches in size not sure do I put this in the corner of tank and have 5 inches at one end where their will be no filter just gravel or do I place this in the centre of tank and have 2 an a half inches at ever end or do i get a bigger under gravel filter system 11 x 47 inches and cut to the right size or get two smaller one and overlap them in the middle?. I with be using two power heads pumps one at each end many thanks for your reply.
Mr S Green
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I haven't used a UG myself, but I'm pretty sure you need to cover the entire bottom of the tank. I would go for a plate bigger than the tank bottom and cut it down. Be careful though as they can be quite flimsy.
Don't forget that UGs do have limitations. Real plants can clog the filter and the water flow can damage some roots. Large pieces of decor can create dead patches. You can't keep fish that like to dig in the gravel or they will expose the plate. And you need to avoid messy fish as lots of fish poo will just make a mess in the gravel.
Of course, you could use reverse flow pumps with a sponge prefilter which reduces the mess trapped under the UG plate and in the gravel.