Martialartsman

I just got a ten gallon tank with a undergravel filter, when I first installed it there was a steady stream of bubles, now the bubbles don't pop normally. As I keep the Under gravel filter on foam starts to pile up and I don't know why?!?!? Am I doing somthing wrong?

bolivianbaby

Welcome to Fishlore, Martialartsman Unfortunately, I have no experience with undergravel filters, but I'm sure another member will be along shortly that can help answer your question.

DRock914

I recently had that foam problem but I was able to overcome it. What chemicals have you added to your water. I was using ammo-lock and stress zyme and once I stopped using them and did a 50% wc the foam disappeared 2 days later. I do not believe the UGF is adding to your foam problem.

Jackie Frost

I got foam when I used a chemical to perform a 'pH balance'. After using the chemical the PH didn't change at all, and the surface of my tank was foamy for several days. The fish handled it fine, however.

aquarist48

Hello MartialArtsMan and Welcome to Fish Lore.
Ken

Martialartsman

Thanks for the advice Jackie Frost, I've added PH chemicals to the tank and that is most likely the issue. Thank you guys for all you suggestions though.

ynaggo

If you have a under gravel filter which I highly do not recommend, I would suggest getting ceramic rings and putting them under the grid that's under your substrate.

To my knowledge, under gravel filters don't have biological filtration.

peacemaker92

Hi and WELCOME TO FISHLORE!

I agree with ynaggo and do not recommend the undergravel filter as it can release any harmful bacteria from the gravel into the water or some sort. Is the foam like bubbles or some sort? It could be caused by the gravel if it's new.

aquarist48

Hello MartialArtsMan

Hope you're doing well today. I see in your aquarium information that you have listed under gravel filter, mechanical (mech) filter. Are you using two filters or just the under gravel filter?

I would like to recommend that you not use chemicals to adjust your pH levels. They can be very unstable, unreliable and can even cause your pH to crash. Your pH levels can change suddenly when you use chemicals for pH and be fatal to your fish. pH levels can be adjusted normally. Here is a link to explain pH:Properly Maintaining the pH in a Freshwater Aquarium - Rate My Fish Tank
What is the pH level from your tap? Most fish we purchase from fish stores and other places will adapt to the pH level that we have to offer. This isn't true for all species but for most.

Keep us posted and if you have questions don't hesitate to ask. We're all here to help each other.
Ken

Martialartsman

Dear Ken
Yes, I am using two filters, an under gravel filter and a mechanical filter. I'm new to this and I am open to advice. The PH from just my tap was 7.6-7.8, after trying to adjust it to 7.4 with the chemicals it didn't work so I stopped trying to use chemicals to adust my PH. I'm currently finishing up my 30 day nitrogen cycle, the aftermath of having 10 fish in my tank, I am now reduced to 5 fish in my tank. Is there somthing wrong with using a undergravel filtration system? After reading about filtration options, I decided to use both systems. Like I said before though, I'm open to any advice you have to offer me.
Ben

sirdarksol

In general, UGFs get clogged up after extended use if they're powered by air pumps. This isn't so much the case if powered by powerheads.
However, they are excellent biological filtration, particularly if powered by powerheads.

Kitsune

One of the issues you can run into with under gravel filters is harmful gasses and/or wastes building up under it. When it gets disturbed it then releases these gases/wastes back into the water. I had that problem with a small fish tank I had a long time ago but didn't know what the issue was until I got back into the hobby recently and did some research. Even my local fish store guy told me not to use one and usually he is all about what can he sell me this time.