How do you feel about undergravel filters and powerheads?

I'm personally not a big fan b/c if something does go wrong in the aquarium, it seems like the ugs make it worse. They are fine for experienced aquarium keepers who are willing to keep up with maintenence, but they are more maintenence than many beginners are looking for.

Sometimes the undergravel filters tend to pop up and then its a pain to reinstate them without disturbing the ecosystem of the tank. If ya have a good amount of gravel and can can be sure that the UG filter won't pop up, I think it wud be a good idea to use it since you have it lying around. It helps keep all the poop to the tank bed at least (depends how good it is). Powerheads... no doubt, you must have one now days to keep the water clear, but they cud be a problem if ya have live plants and small fish since the plants tend t get uprooted and smaller fish, sometimes get sucked in...

Undergravel filters are horrible and will cause more problems than they solve. They are a pain to clean and not very effective. Invest your money in a good filter!

I agree, not a fan of undergravel filters. The one I used, way back when, it seemed that all the poop and food accumulated underneath it. Of course didn't realize it till I changed out the substrate and had a big mess.....

one million. Freshwater or saltwater tank? Freshwater 2. Powerhead or undergravel clear out? Powerhead 3. Betta or goldfish? Betta! 4. neon tetra or Guppy? Guppy 5. Gravel or sand? Gravel 6. aggressive or non violent community tank? non violent 7. Fishless or "with fish" cycle? Fishless 8. Planted tank or no longer? fake vegetation? 9. one million inch in keeping with i gallon : s*hitty rule or no longer? no longer so particular, yet leaping on the band wagon, shitty 10.Did you savor this poll? particular +Did you cycle your first actual tank or no longer? interior the attitude of +What became the worst component to happen on your tank( for me it became ICH!) Having to leave it on my own with none ish or any cycling or any use and the vegetation rotted, I have been given mildew, algae, ugh. +Do you sense like this area is getting boring on account that lots of the questions asked are a similar? some have exciting version, despite the fact that it extremely is marvelous to be certain that this area helps save many lives of fish :)

I agree with Ann and Tikitiki I am not a fan I have not had one in years and my fish are happy as long as you have a goof filter and change the water frequently you should be fine with out it

they are good of keeping the oxygen in the water, but it tends to ruin my background, as i have loads of plants and decorations inside, it tends to lift the things to the surface. also since my filter doesnt suck much poo up the poo flys everywhere. and the worst thing is that is always scares the fish. its a really bad choice and i would rather get a huge nice filter instead.

under gravels really suck, i have not used them for over ten years now. they are finicky and really dirty up your aquarium if you try to take them out. fish often disappear down the tubes too.

i keep two aquaclear 500 on on my 6 foot tank and they do the job really well

They work great!