Undergravel vs. HOB vs. both

[fishhog]

Hey friends,

I just bought a new hex combo kit. The kit came with both an undergravel and HOB filters. I have never used an undergravel filter before. This will be in a brackish tank setup for my GSP. Which is best? The undergravel? The HOB? Both?

Thanks!!!

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Undergravel vs. HOB vs. both

I would ditch the UGF if it's for a GSP since they tend to miss the food which would be sucked down into the UGF and cause higher Nitrates in the end. I also noticed that when I had my puffers they would search for food in the substrate when they were hungry and sometimes blew at it to stir up foods so with a UGF there won't be anything there.

Also I would want to use aragonite or some sort of buffering substrate for brackish water and that would fall through the UGF.  

I would go with the HOB and possibly a canister if the Hex is big.

[fishhog]

Re: Undergravel vs. HOB vs. both

Thanks for the advice Ek. The hex is 32 gallons.

[jklntx]

Re: Undergravel vs. HOB vs. both

Have you tried reverse flowing your UG?

[fishhog]

Re: Undergravel vs. HOB vs. both

I haven't set it up yet.

[wvgdiscus]

Re: Undergravel vs. HOB vs. both

I would put the bottom of the UGF in. If for nothing else to protect the bottom from falling rocks. No need for the tube just the black piece.