Re: Anerobic substrate... was Failure keeping cichlids in the long term

[Bill Phillips <WilliamPhillips2@access.net.au>]

In my experience an undergravel filter pulls down all the organic waste
(rotting leaves, left-over food etc etc) into the substrate which then
provides a medium for the generation of hydrogen sulphide, methane etc
which eventually escapes and bye fishies.

However when using sand only (or fine gravel) the substrate packs tightly
and there is no chance of colonisation of the substrate and all is fine
with a sponge filter. I personally have had zero problems in the absence of
undergravel filters and massive problems when they are there.

Why use sponge filters ? - they are cheap, very easy to maintain (rinse
under a tap each week) and can easily transferone to a new tank and hey
presto you have a fully operational mature filtration system.

Bill

At 12:13 PM 1/29/00 PST, you wrote:
>Here is a barrage of questions concerning the Anerobic substrate issue...
>
>Is an anerobic substrate caused by undergravel filters, or just enhanced by 
>it?  Is there a best way to avoid this occurance?  Do plants help prevent or 
>contribute to an anerobic situation?  Is this why alot of you use foam 
>filters in your tanks instead of undergravel?
>
>Phil Eaton
>Dallas, TX
>
>----Original Message Follows----
>From: Doug Dunlop <baddog@telusplanet.net>
>
>My vote would have to go to anaerobic substrate.  I have had similar 
>outbreaks
>in the past where suddenly, a dozen or more fish (in my case ancistrus) are
>found dead while cardinal tetras are happily swimming about.  My theory is 
>(and
>it is only a theory) that pockets of hydrogen sulphide and possibly methane
>formed in the substrate.
>
><---snip--->
>
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