Under ground filter distress!

Whats up fishtank peeps!

I've got a dilemma about my ugf's! I have a 125&55 that is 3+ years old and am trying to go planted!

I know DIRT is best but am trying to work around it till next year? Time and money +fish issues keep me restrained at this time! I've heard many opinions about ugf's and plants! Since i heard reverse flow powerheads work better,i switched to them along with 2 36" t-5 ho duals,magnum 350 canister,350 bio-wheel hob filters.I'm thinking of going with a eco-complete with my original gravel mix? I talked to a lfs and he said he shut his ugf's off and has had success! he has a amazon sword that he didnt want to disturb so he shut them off. He has had the amazon since 1993? He said the reverse flows might work with a substrate since my aquascape is deep in my planting areas! They really are not pushing water but in the thin areas of my tank! I have used these ugf's for years and dont have water issues,before i had plants but no lights didnt use ferts or anything and no success! I am up for any advice or tips from you guys!

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Comment by greg melton on July 29, 2012 at 5:34pm: This was my first attempt at plants! I had original strip lights[no watts],didnt know about ferts or tabs,etc.

Comment by ŦůRbö ۰ Ҏяѻ ۰ on July 30, 2012 at 11:50am: I have found the ugf wont work to well for plants since it pulls the water (and nutrients) away from the roots, plants get 40 to 400 % of their nurtrients from their roots. I took mine fully out, so there wasnt a hollow space between the tank bottom and substrate, about a year ago, and I cannot stop plants from growing INCHES daily, even without perfect fert routine, I believe its because of the removal of the underground. I even took the ugf out of my fry grow out tank, i have snails in there so i throw pruned leaves in there from my planted tank for them to eat, and this tank is sand, no ferts what so ever, just a grow out tank with sand lol and the leaves take root and grow ever since i removed the ugf.