Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been interested in getting one, and I was wondering if you need gravel for it to work. currently I am using a waterfall type filter. It works ok, but there are plces like the other end corner of the tank that tends to collect waste, so I need something that could slide/fit in there to clean it up. I have been also thinking about a canister filter, they can go upder water right?

So yea, if anyone could explain to me how under gravel filters work, and if they would reccomend a canister filter with a water fall filter or an undergravel filter with a water fall filter.

Thanks!

undergravel filters work great with canisters. the canister doesnt go in the water. you sit it on the florr or some of them hang on the tank. they re alot better than the waterfal type. you can hook up a canister to a undergravel filter and have a real terrific water cleaning deal goin on. but yes, you have to have gravel and lots of it. you get realy good biological filtration in the gravel. there are alot of good things about ugf with a canister. one thing is, did you see the message about a turtle getting stuck in a filter? that cant happen with ugf. theres no strong suction anywhere. the water is just all the time moving downward throu the screen and out from underneeth into the canister. plants dont get stuck in the filter. you just wouldnt belief how easy it is to keep clean. anybody who wants super clean water without working real hard should get a canister and hook it up to a ug filter.