Ugf

[whoosh]

Hello all,

Not too sure if this is the right section but here goes....

I am setting up a new tank for shrimps. Just curious is anyone tried under gravel filter together with ADA soil? Was wondering if the above will be a good choice. Advise would be very much appreciated.

Reason: Just lazy to clear shrimp poopoo.

[lukeskwr]

undergravel not good for planted. the process will leak the fert above the undergravel. u wouldn't want that would you?

[|squee|]

Shrimp wastes account for very little compared to normal fish like tetras. As the use of a UGF requires frequent gravel vaccumming, Aquasoil is definately not suitable since it's very easily disintegrated.

[michael lai]

Hi Whoosh,
A sponge filter would be a much better alternative. Cheap and good. I think you will have to rear alot of shrimps then you would worry about their poopoo.
Besides read somewhere with under gravel filter, there would be too much circulation which is bad for plant's roots or something like that. Maybe 'guys' you could help me out here.

Enjoy

[stormhawk]

If the gravel bed is deep enough, a UGF would be beneficial for the plants instead. The flow-through of water down into the gravel bed is actually good for keeping the gravel bed aerobic instead of stagnating and turning anaerobic. The flow-through itself gives some kind of boost to the growth of plants. I've seen this work myself in my previous UGF-tank and at a friend's place that was utilising a UGF. However, no base fert for such tanks, just a UGF and a layer of gravel.

Whoosh, you can use a UGF in a shrimp tank but certainly not with ADA Aquasoil. A better alternative and one that works with UGF is Lonestar gravel.

[whoosh]

Thx for the advice stormhawk,

Since already gotten the ada soil, will stick to hangon and sponge filters. Will consider again the UGF for the next project.

[BFG]

You can still use that ugf. Use it to create a moss wall! More area for the shrimp to play around with.