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December 20th, 2008
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| | Fish Master
| Rena Undergravel Filter
Hello Everyone,
I'm looking at buying a 125 gallon tank..It has a Rena undergravel filter in it..I've heard undergravel filters are not the way to go..Is this a decent filter system..or should I just trash it and get a new one. | 
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December 20th, 2008
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| | Fish Helper
| lskj
this is just MY opinion but I would just sell it to your LFS and get either a canister or a few power filters. What are you going to do with this tank?( FW, SW?) | |
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December 20th, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| After cleaning out an undergravel filter,I would almost guarantee you will never want another one,but they are good filters for bio-filtration,they're just extremely filthy (underneath). A 125 gallon,I would go with a DIY canister filter.
I wouldn't trash the undergravel filter.The parts to it could be useful. I use the lift tubes to use as an inlet/outlet for canister filters (silicone 1 to each rear corner of the aquarium and put the respective tubes in each 1) I also use the mesh screen to anchor plants,moss, driftwood,etc. The parts to an undergravel filter can be useful,just not their intended purpose. | |
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December 20th, 2008
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Austin {Aquarist}  this is just MY opinion but I would just sell it to your lfs and get either a canister or a few power filters. What are you going to do with this tank?(FW, SW?) | It's freshwater. | |
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December 20th, 2008
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by soldieroffortune1974 After cleaning out an undergravel filter,I would almost guarantee you will never want another one,but they are good filters for bio-filtration,they're just extremely filthy (underneath). A 125 gallon,I would go with a DIY canister filter.
I wouldn't trash the undergravel filter.The parts to it could be useful. I use the lift tubes to use as an inlet/outlet for canister filters (silicone 1 to each rear corner of the aquarium and put the respective tubes in each 1) I also use the mesh screen to anchor plants,moss,driftwood,etc. The parts to an undergravel filter can be useful,just not their intended purpose. | I looked up what one looked like and I can see how it would be NASTY..They have a 12" pleco...6"mystic catfish and a 6" oscar..I can't imagine what it's going to look like under the filter..I'm sure my husband could build a DIY canister..Is there a good website where he could go look at or instuctions somewhere?? | |
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December 20th, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| This is for a miniature canister,but you can follow the instructions and just use a larger container and larger pump,everything else would be the same. http://www.petfrd.com/forum/articles...ticle&artid=87
If you have any questions,technical concerns,feel free to ask.Everything is fairly well covered though. | |
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December 20th, 2008
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| | Fish Master
| Jeff looked at it and said it would be pretty simple to build..But I'm curious how big of a canister would we need for a 125...He says 1 gallon would do it...He knows nothing about fish ..Just very mechanicaly inclined..The two don't always go hand in hand..lol.. | |
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December 20th, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| A 1 gallon container would be good. I use a 5 gallon bucket with a screw-on lid and a rubber seal. It's enough filtration for a 1000 gallons fully stocked.For media you can use the ceramic rings,or scotch scrub pads or both. In my DIY canisters,I use scotch pads,sponges,plastic pan scrubbers and ceramic rings.Make sure none of them have cleansers,soaps,chemicalsAll good media for bio-filtration.Plus,when you need spare media to cycle a new aquarium,just open the lid and pull 1 out. | |
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December 20th, 2008
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| | Fish Master
| Too Cool..Thanks SOF....Really I should write you a check..lol..I won't but I should..Your saving me lots of money between the DIY water changer and the canister filters..I'm just glad my hubby knows how to do this stuff...I'm sure I could get it figured out but he's handy to have around.  | |
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December 20th, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by CHoffman Too Cool..Thanks SOF....Really I should write you a check..lol..I won't but I should..Your saving me lots of money between the DIY water changer and the canister filters..I'm just glad my hubby knows how to do this stuff...I'm sure I could get it figured out but he's handy to have around. | That's why I do it,to make sure your money doesn't go to the manufacturers. I am glad it's helping you out and saving you money.Anything else,let me know.I will help with anything I can,most of it's simple,easy,and common sense.
The manufacturers tell you,you need their products,I say you don't. | |
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December 20th, 2008
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| | Fish Master
| I believe you..before I thought the only way was to buy everything you need but like you said it's just common sense. Pretty darn cool..Thanks again SOF..I really need to get Jeff on here so he can see all the cool stuff he can build....I showed him the inverted tank on top of the bigger tank in the DIY section..Ever since then he's been wanting to take my extra tanks to build it..lol..I say NOOOOOOO.. | |
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December 20th, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| well, I wouldn't go with any under gravel filter, mulm accumulates under the filter plate. | |
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