New Article: Undergravel Filters for Reptiles & Amphibians

[findiviglio]

Hi All,

Please check out:

Using Undergravel Filters in Amphibian/Reptile Aquariums & Terrariums


Comments and questions appreciated,

Thanks, Frank

[xeonic]

I started A Thread about this recently. Anyone thinking of starting an undergravel filter may want to read This Thread. http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-terrarium-enclosure-discussion/11036-bio-filter-questions.html
They state you can cycle using fish and no chemicals.

You may also want to read, As they may have some Tips on ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates levels and chemicals.

http://www.pollywogsworldoffrogs.com.../water101.html

http://www.bluecrayfish.com/cycle.htm

Read on how to cycle with fish.

http://www.fishyou.com/aquarium-cycling.php

Hope this helped.

[Deku]

Undergravel filters can be a pain to deal with just so you know. The dirt is caught under the filter but when you go clean it up. That's when the mess gets out of hand. I'd say an intank whisper filter should be good.

[findiviglio]

Hi,

A good way to avoid mess is to siphon the gravel with a wide mouthed gravel washer; the outflow tubes can also be removed to allow access below the plate, Best, Frank

[findiviglio]

Hi,

Fish (and adding gravel, media from seasoned tanks) were the standard means of cycling new tanks before the introduction of packaged aerobic bacteria. Very effective if the species is chosen properly (difficult in marine tanks) and care is taken in the process. Many folks object to the inevitable stress on the fish used, and false starts/setbacks were common due to fish loss.

Best, Frank

[Deku]

I don't think a fish cycle is a good way to go. You don't need packaged bacteria. That stuff doesn't really work. Just put fish food in a small media sock and put that in the aquarium. Leave it there and that will produce ammonia. Then just do 10% weekly water changes and in a month or two your tank should be cycled. Still undergravel filters mean that the waste will be stuck down there so once it comes up. It's like a gas bomb. All of that will go up quickly and kill any fish in the tank. For frogs itll just stress them out.

[findiviglio]

Hello,

Pre-packaged bacteria is used by several public aquariums, but of course results are difficult to access without strict tests. As long as disease transmission is not a concern, filter material or gravel from a well-seasoned tank is the most effective means of introducing beneficial bacteria to a new aquarium.

As mentioned in the article, I've run large zoo exhibits and home aquariums for many years, decades in some cases, on UG filters alone, as have most if not all major aquariums. The gas bomb analogy does not hold unless maintenance is neglected, as is the case for any filter. I think more problems may be seen with UG's because detritus remains unseen in the gravel bed, and folks tend to neglect gravel washing as the filter's outflow rarely slows down very much. Cartridge-media based filters slow down when dirty (some even have indicator mechanisms), so they tend to be serviced more often than UG's.

Best, Frank