power filter with sand substrate

[sophia35]

I've been having problems with my power filter, I think because I converted to a sand substrate for the corys. Any advice? Is there a certain type of power filter I should get? We just bought this one in August. It's been making loud noises, and I just cleaned it. I'm cleaning the parts again, this morning. Worried the pump is about to go out.

[sophia35]

It's a Marineland Penguin 200 power filter; it says "for freshwater and marine" and is for up to a 50-gallon aquarium, which is what it's on.

[MatsP]

What type of filter are you using? Someone may well know specifics about the model of filter you are using.

Do you actually find sand inside the filter - in particular in the actual impeller housing? If so, you will need to either reposition the intake to be further from the sand surface (2-3" is recommended), or use filter sponge to stop the sand from getting to the impeller - this can be a "pre-filter" at the intake, or, depending on the design of the actual filter, inside the filter.

I have sand in all my tanks, and I've used:
-Eheim Classic (2215, 2217), ProII (2028) and ProIII (2080) externals
-Eheim PickUp internals
-Hagen Fluval 3+ & 4+ internals
-TetraTec EX600, EX1200.
-"Noname" airdriven sponge filter (in the fry tank).

I don't think specific filters are "designed to run with sand" and others not. It's mostly a case of "make sure the sand doesn't get to the moving parts", as described above.

--
Mats

[2wheelsx2]

The problem with most HOB filters is that the impeller sits on the bottom and any sand that gets in will get to the impeller. If you go with a canister filter, which has the impeller up top, or air driven devices with no impeller, you won't have this problem. I run sand in some of my tanks and have not had a problem with my Eheim canisters at all, but they have killed some powerheads.

[dw1305]

Hi all,
Not familiar with this make of HOB (HOB's aren't popular in the UK), but

.....use filter sponge to stop the sand from getting to the impeller

is a good idea.

I've got an Eheim Liberty HOB that I DIY'ed a sponge for, just sewed up with nylon thread from a sponge sheet:



I use these type of pre-filter sponges on all my externals and powerheads. They stop any debris getting into the filter, and they provide extra biological filtration.

If you want some more details, "Apistomaster" wrote a really useful post here: <http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... 2&p=208271>

Another one here: <http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr10 ... sponge.jpg>

cheers Darrel

[lovefishtank]

I uses an Aquaclear 70 Hang On Back filter and I think it is the best filter for 50-gallon aquarium if your are finding a HOB filter.
https://portlandaquarium.net/category/equipment/