Undergravel Filter Overkill?

I am setting up a 90 gal aquarium with a new Fluval FX6 filter, which is overfiltering already, but I'm wondering if it would be beneficial at all to also have undergravel filtration in this new tank? (I'm moving the ceramic media over to the new filter from my smaller Fluval, which is currently on a smaller tank that I'm shutting down. I also have one powerhead running the U/G filter in that tank.) Is there any real benefit to continuing with an undergravel filter if I have so much filtration already?

Three mature Clown loaches and a Royal pleco in the tank so far. I'm planning to add Discus as well.

 

Welcome to Fishlore, hope you get some responses today

 

I wouldn't bother with UGF's this day and age. Some may still prefer to use them, but with my experience they're messy and just trap detritus (yes even with regular gravel vacuuming) if it gets under grate. Only way to clean that out would be to vacuum through the outlets on the grates or break down your entire tank to get under the grates. I had some nitrate issues when I had my UGF. Removing it from my tank (which I received established) was one of the best things I did to my tank. Plus it cleaned up the look of the tank with no ugly outlet pipes on the back of the tank.

Again, all my opinion and personal experience. There may be someone who tells you it worked out great for them.

 

I would take out the u/g filter and just use the canister filter. Discus will not do good with the fish you have in your tank the pleco will eat of the sides of the Discus and the clown loaches do not make good tank mates they move around to much.

 

Thanks so much! I re-siliconed the tank a week ago and tomorrow hope to get it up and running - without the UGF. I really appreciate your advice.

 

Thanks, Kareen. I've had that combo of fish before so I'm hopeful it will be as peaceful as in my last experience. My discus even laid eggs in that tank, with loaches and a really big Royal. The key to having Royals, I have found, is to make sure they have driftwood, then no problems.

 

You can't over filter a tank, I know lot of people don't like UG filters but they work! The only time there not good is in a heavily planted tank. You need to do a gravel vac on a regular basis, but you won't grow the amount of anaerobic bacteria as with no UG.
I had a store that used UG'S and a HOB filter of each tank, there was about 200 -50 gallons tanks that had both filters, and 90% of the tanks were never broken down for 26 years!
Also, you can cut the tubing of the UG way down and run a power head on it. If it was my tank I'd put your other Fluval as well as the FX6. Ajust the out put nozzels on the FX so you don't blow your fish around. I'm running 6- FX 6 filters right now, if you run into any problems with it PM me, maybe I can help,
Harry

 

Wow, Harry, that's a lot of filtration that you're using. You must have a gigantic set-up. I had a powerhead on my UG and, although it was great to have the extra biological filtration on my small tank, I assumed that the amount of media in the FX6 might replace the need to do that in this new tank. If I do put the UG into this tank (which I've got running now), would you cut the stack down and have the powerhead underwater? I'm not sure I understand what you mean by cut the tubing down. Thanks for all of the advice!

 

The FX6 will keep the tank clean by it self, but I like overkill and 2 separate filter systems. If 1 stops working chances are the other will keep your fish alive while you fix the problem. I would cut the tubing as low as you can, most power heads are supposed to be underwater.
Good luck, Harry

 

I've only seen a few of his posts, but I think we can all agree that fissh is the Wizard of Water. (Sorry. Just read Cursed Child, couldn't help myself.)

 

I've only seen a few of his posts, but I think we can all agree that @fissh is the Wizard of Water. (Sorry. Just read Cursed Child, couldn't help myself.)

What a nice thing to say.
Thanks, Harry, ( not Potter )