Undergravel Filters and the planted Discus Tank

Well an under gravel filter would help but you have to have a canister or HOB or even a small sump. You cant have just a under gravel filter.

matt s said:

Well an under gravel filter would help but you have to have a canister or HOB or even a small sump. You cant have just a under gravel filter.

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Why? People used under gravel filters for yrs with no ill effects. It is very old school and there are numerous more efficient filters systems out there, but that does NOT mean that it would not work. If I have to do it I would use a reverse powerhead and push the water DOWN the tube instead of pulling it up the tube. That way it stays relatively clean underneath the plates.


The ONLY REAL issue will be the root systems of your plants growing into the slits in the UG filter plate.

First, depending on the size of the sand & your Under gravel, the sand may sift down through the plate.
Second, and fshfanatic said, if you have plants with big root systems, they will get entangled, don't plan on moving them without leaving a lot of the roots behind (learned that one the hard way).

IMHO, If you are starting from scratch, I would pull it out.

I used to use UGF's when I first started the aquarium hobby. They are good filters if maintained properly. Unlike canisters, HOB's, or sumps, skipping the maintenance on UGF's can increase the amount of gunk buildup under the UGF plates. In order to keep maintain them well is to make sure you use a syphon inbetween the UGF slits to suck up the detritus and gunk that buildup underneath the plates. In a planted tank, I don't think it would help the plants if you keep disturbing the substrate, since it could uproot the plants.

I can't see it causing any ill effects, but I do know that when I used them my plants didn't grow anywhere near as well, even with no other changes other than switching to a cannister or HOB.

Tommy