External Filters & sand

bigward · Post by **bigward** » 06 Feb 2007, 22:39

After some time (strengthening joists) I finally have my new tank - a Rena 120x50. It comes with an Rena XP3 filter and I also have a Fluval 305 (new one). My question is this:

After buing some river sand, I was talking to some local fish shops in the area - NONE of which had anything good to say about using sand. In fact they steared me towards gravel stating with the suction power of the filters, the sand would get sucked up and eventually break the filter.

Is this true ?

I know the suction pipe must be at least 4 inches away from the sand.

Cheers

kcmt01 · Post by **kcmt01** » 06 Feb 2007, 22:55

Well, here is my experience so far. I bought a bag of torpedo sand (see the other threads) so my Anadoras Grypus could bury himself better (see the images link at the bottom of this post). Sand is better for plants to root in, it is better for Cories to sift through, and if I had it all to do over again I would just buy sandblasting sand from the lumber yard and just skip the gravel I bought. As for plugging up filters, I'm going to buy sponge pre-filters. That should help with keeping sand out of the impellers, and should help with bio-filtering also. At least that's my theory.

snowball · Post by **snowball** » 06 Feb 2007, 23:46

I have fine sand in my tank with the eeltail cats, they love to dig and stir the sand up quite a bit. I was concerned about sand getting in the cannister filters, so I simply cut the pickup tube short so that it is about 6" above the substrate. I still find some sand in the eheims when I clean them, but not much and it always collects in the bottom.

kcmt01 · Post by **kcmt01** » 07 Feb 2007, 01:29

Here's the link to the sponge filter I mentioned:
http://www.aquariumguys.com/lupr.html

KC

QuotheRaven · Post by **QuotheRaven** » 07 Feb 2007, 02:06

I use a external, internal & hang on filter in my tanks with play sand in it...Play sand compacts more but is easy for the fishes barbels and my spiny eel can still burrow...

I have had no problems with any of my filters just remember to turn them off when doing tank maintenence as not to suction up any sand that becomes lifted into the water and let it settle.

apistomaster · Post by **apistomaster** » 07 Feb 2007, 05:16

Using a prefilter is always a good idea on the intakes of filters. Be sure to use a the comercial sponge prefilter of make your own with sponge with 20 pores per inch. This both keeps sand out but also prolongs the interval needed for cleaning the filter. Just clean the sponge prefilter regularly as you notice any reduction in the return flow. Prefilters are just a good idea all the way around. They keep pet shrimp or young fry from ending up in the filter.

bigward · Post by **bigward** » 07 Feb 2007, 07:23

Thanks for the reply's.

I am going to give the sand a go

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 07 Feb 2007, 10:04

NONE of which had anything good to say about using sand. In fact they steared me towards gravel stating with the suction power of the filters, the sand would get sucked up and eventually break the filter.

Is this true ?

No it isn't true, provided you are careful. Sand is quite a variable substance, and will vary considerable in its size and density. My experience has been great, but if you end up with really fine light sand you may suffer problems.

As you say, place the inlet 4" above the bottom. I would put it in a very quiet part of the tank where there is less current, and fish are less likely to stir it up in a big cloud to get sucked up.

Another tip is to place a rock or lump of bogwood under the inlet to prevent fish getting near the inlet and stirring the sand up.

Best of luck......