Is an internal filter enough?

So I recently bought an internal filter. Previously I had an UG filter which wasn't that good. It acted as an airpump too for the bubbler.
I wanted to know if I can remove the Ug filter, is the internal filter enough for the aeration of the water?
The filter is Jinzuan BL F1210.

Also if I do remove the ug filter maybe could I just use the airpump for aeration? I would love to change my sharp gravel to sand or some other gravel. Because I want to get a pleco.

 

I use pennplax cascade 400 internal filters in my tanks and for me it does a much better job with picking up a lot of the pleco poop. For extra air I also use an airstone connected to an air pump. For substrate I use aquarium small river pebbles because they are smooth. I have three BN plecos the male in one tank and two females in another. I think every tank should have a pleco. What kind do you plan to get? Alison

 

I was thinking maybe a BN pleco. Or some other algae eater

 

I vote BN pleco. they are my favorite of all my fish. I have an albino male, a blue eyed yellow ancistrus female, and an L144 Blue eyed lemon. I like the light colors because they are easy to spot. and mine are out and about during the day as well eating their veggies or just cruising around. Have you looked at the sticky on the fish forums , Pleco photos, it is in the top of the plecostamous forum in the grey area. worth looking into and there is also a good thread running at the moment PLECOS!! share yours. fun looking at the pictures. Alison

 

Yes ive been following that thread ^_^
Can I ask if the plecos will live on sharp gravel? I'm worried it might cut their mouths.
Edit. Also are there any other type I can keep in a 30 G? Because I don't usually get all the specie at the store.

 

Can I please get an answer to my original question?

 

If the air pump is separate then just get whatever size airstone and make sure you have a check valve to keep water from going back into the pump and ruining it in case the power goes out. I am not familiar with the filter that you bought. Alison

 

Thank you. I can remove the under gravel filter right? I don't like that it sticks from the middle of the tank.

 

Yes you can. Most people don't use them any more, although some still do. Alison

 

Thank you very much

 

Your welcome. To answer your other question . plecos do fine on aquarium gravel. Alison

 

Its sharp so can it not damage there mouths?

 

Are you thinking of Corydora catfish? They do not do well on sharp gravel how ever smooth works for them. The plecos don't seem to be bothered, they rasp on rocks and driftwood, the sides of the tank. They are a much tougher fish than the cory cats. Most aquarium gravel isn't that sharp . Alison

 

I do not know what kind of plecos there are as most of them look similar.

 

The small plecos that you can usually find are the bristle nose or the clown. Also Rubber lipped but I don't think they are as good at eating algea. The clowns are pretty but seem to be a little more nocturnal.. I think Petco sells the longfinned albino BN, the rubber lipped, the common and the clown. The common gets two feet so make sure you don't get one of those. Alison

 

I don't think ive seen bristle nose anywhere. All the others seem so similar its hard to differentiate between them. I don't mind a nocturnal fish. I actually enjoyed the little while I had my knife fish.

 

If your under gravel filter was the only filter in the tank, I'd say run the UG and your new internal together for at least a month that way you can seed your new filter. If you plan on changing substrates you should do it when you remove the UG filter, just move he fish out and give the tank a clean too whilst you have the opportunity.

If you are going to keep the gravel you have, when you remove the UG filter you are going to want to give our gravel a really good cleaning, it's also going to throw up a ton of dirt into your tank so just be aware of that, that's why it would be the perfect time to redo the tank if you want to.

A pleco will be fine on your gravel. They don't do much burrowing in the substrate, pleco's actually have armour plated scales and are very tough fish. Your pleco will need some driftwood to graze on though.
The sharp gravel issue applies to other kinds of catfish and loaches that have sensitive barbels around their mouths.

 

Thank you very much