[MitchellLion]

Helllo,
I'm new here, hi, I've had a 60 gallon tank for 2 years now
And from the beginning I've had sand for it.
The problem is I have gone through filters like you wouldent believe, first couple times I didn't know what broke them.
But after a couple of more times Im pretty sure it's because sand gets clogged and eventually inside the propeller.
I'd rather keep sand then replace it with gravel.
And I'm tired of filters breaking.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[jentralala]

What about putting a pre-filter sponge over the intake, to prevent sand from getting sucked straight into the impeller? What kind of filters are you using, the kind that hang on the back or a canister?

 

[Rip]

what kind of filters are you using? maybe switching to a canister or a sponge filter would help.

 

[Boredomb]

How close is the intake to the sand??? You want it to be a couple inches above the sand. Also you want to turn the filter off if you are going to do anything that's going to stir up the sand. Now this is only for filters that the intake water hits the propeller before hitting the media. Most if not all Hang on Back style filters are this way.
Other options is like its been mentioned putting a sponge on the intake or buying a Canister filter where the the water is pulled through the media before hitting the motor or propeller. Ehiem Classic series is one there are other brands too, that's just the brand I have and love.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[jaysee]

Welcome to the forum

Canister filters are impervious to sand - your tank is certainly large enough for one.

 

[AbbeysDad]

WELCOME TO TFK!!!

I have a couple of Aquaclear 70 HOBs on my 60g and have a [pool filter] sand substrate and have never had a sand problem in the filters.
Is your sand too fine so it's easily raised off the bottom or as mentioned, is your intake tube too low/close to the surface of the sand?
Perhaps your sand wasn't rinsed/washed well enough to remove the finer sand particles?

 

[Sanguinefox]

WELCOME TO TFK!!!

I have a couple of Aquaclear 70 HOBs on my 60g and have a [pool filter] sand substrate and have never had a sand problem in the filters.
Is your sand too fine so it's easily raised off the bottom or as mentioned, is your intake tube too low/close to the surface of the sand?
Perhaps your sand wasn't rinsed/washed well enough to remove the finer sand particles?

I often really wish you would stop pugging Aquaclears. What they were back when they first hit the market is not what they are today. Cheaper parts, flimsier bodies...etc

All my tanks had sand, and even with the intake well pulled away and with well rinsed sand these things would kick the bucket quite easily. I see used ones hitting one of the local stores every day.

To OP, you need to ensure that your intake is well away from the bottom. Putting a pre-intake sponge onto the intake can help but it will be rinsed from time to time. My best suggestion is to get a Canister and get one that pulls water through the canister and through the media first, and then it goes through the impeller/into the tank. This prevents sand from hitting the impeller if any does get in and problem solved.

Don't get Aquaclears unless you want to waste money and time.

 

[MoneyMitch]

i use marineland filters exclusively, never had problems with them in sand or gravel substrates, but then again i used play sand that i woudl literally spend a hour or two washing before i put into the tank and i also would turn the fitler off for a hr or two if i was doing any planting or leveling from fish digging. which leads me to say even with digging fish never had the problem, also never used a pre filter sponge over the intake and the intake was maybe 2-3 inches from the top of the substrate this was all in a 55gal. have you tried taking the impeller out and cleaning it off? from the marineland filters i use they have no moving parts exposed except the magnetic driven impeller

 

[jaysee]

Before I converted my tanks to canisters, I battled sand issues with AquaClears in a couple tanks - particularly the one with the caribsea supernaturals moonlight sand. It's beach sand fine and fouled every HOB. With the aquaclears, I had extra filters on hand and would just swap out the motors. I found them easier to clean once they dried.

An example of how fine that sand was - you can see it getting carried away in the water. Switching to a canister solved that problem instantly.

 

[AbbeysDad]

I often really wish you would stop pugging Aquaclears.

I was NOT plugging Aquaclear filters, but identifying the exact type of HOB's I use and the fact that I've never had a problem with my [POOL FILTER] SAND. But not all SAND is created equally and if the sand being used is very fine and/or the inlet tube strainer is too close to the surface, then there may well be a problem with sand being drawn in.
I have nothing against canisters but investing $125~ in a canister filter is not the only solution for this problem.

 

[jaysee]

I have nothing against canisters but investing $125~ in a canister filter is not the only solution for this problem.

One need not spend that kind of money on a canister.

 

[Boredomb]

I was NOT plugging Aquaclear filters, but identifying the exact type of HOB's I use and the fact that I've never had a problem with my [POOL FILTER] SAND. But not all SAND is created equally and if the sand being used is very fine and/or the inlet tube strainer is too close to the surface, then there may well be a problem with sand being drawn in.
I have nothing against canisters but investing $125~ in a canister filter is not the only solution for this problem.

I agree a canister isn't the only solution which is why I stared what I did before.
On a different note canister for a 60gallon tank is cheaper then $125. I spent less then that for mine.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[AbbeysDad]

One need not spend that kind of money on a canister.

I was merely ball parking which was why I included the tilde ~

To mention the top contenders...

> Eheim Classic is about $85
> Fluval 306 is about $120
> Rena Filstar XP2 is about $100

These are current rounded Amazon prices for canisters suitable for a 60g (assuming free shipping), retail would likely be $20-$40 more. (also presumes they all come with appropriate media).

I like to solve problems at the root cause and If we keep the sand on the bottom where it belongs it won't bother the filter. But if MitchellLion wants to buy a canister filter, it's okay with me as long as he doesn't ask me for the money ;-)

Footnote: This may also be a potential problem for folks with much smaller tanks that can use a solution other than a canister filter.

 

[jaysee]

You can buy new canisters (with free shipping) for half those prices. But what do I know....

 

[Sanguinefox]

I was merely ball parking which was why I included the tilde ~

To mention the top contenders...

> Eheim Classic is about $85
> Fluval 306 is about $120
> Rena Filstar XP2 is about $100

These are current rounded Amazon prices for canisters suitable for a 60g (assuming free shipping), retail would likely be $20-$40 more. (also presumes they all come with appropriate media).

I like to solve problems at the root cause and If we keep the sand on the bottom where it belongs it won't bother the filter. But if MitchellLion wants to buy a canister filter, it's okay with me as long as he doesn't ask me for the money ;-)

Footnote: This may also be a potential problem for folks with much smaller tanks that can use a solution other than a canister filter.

It's not always possible to "Keep the sand where it belongs" depending upon your stock and set up. Some fish like to play/dig/ around and throw up sand on a regular basis. So while it's all and good to want to keep sand "where it should be" you can't always argue with your fish on that and win.

I could spend quite some time on why hiking up your intake further away from your substrate isn't always the best thing for your tank but that's not really important here. Rather than continue to throw money at temperamental HOBs, OP would be best served by buying a canister, or perhaps doing a canister + sponge filter combination. That way he can save money going with a smaller model and then run the sponge as supplemental. The sponge has amazing benefits.

In fact OP you really could potentially go with an all out duel Sponge Filter system. People often heavily underestimate just how well these Sponge Filters can keep small-mid sized tanks running well. Of course you really need to have a well planted tank for this to be viable.

 

[AbbeysDad]

In fact OP you really could potentially go with an all out duel Sponge Filter system. People often heavily underestimate just how well these Sponge Filters can keep small-mid sized tanks running well. Of course you really need to have a well planted tank for this to be viable.

Well, at least your thinking outside the [canister] box. ;-)

 

[MitchellLion]

Thanks for the welcoming
Yes I got filters that hang off the back
Marineland filters (which broke easier)
And Fluval (which was much quieter but still broke)
I think the best for option for me I think would be to use a sponge around the intake for now and look into buying a canister later,
And yes there are a couple of my fish who kick up sand
Thanks for all the help this problem was really discouraging me for a while.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[jaysee]

I like to solve problems at the root cause and If we keep the sand on the bottom where it belongs it won't bother the filter.

I've found a nice PowerPoint presentation is all that's needed to convince the fish to keep the sand where it belongs ;-)

 

[AbbeysDad]

Thanks for the welcoming
Yes I got filters that hang off the back
Marineland filters (which broke easier)
And Fluval (which was much quieter but still broke)
I think the best for option for me I think would be to use a sponge around the intake for now and look into buying a canister later,
And yes there are a couple of my fish who kick up sand
Thanks for all the help this problem was really discouraging me for a while.
Posted via Mobile Device

Make sure the bottom of your inlet strainer is about 4" from the top of the sand. The sponge prefilter will [also] help solve the problem, but you may find that it will quickly restrict flow and may need rinsing as much as twice a week. Make sure to get at least two so you can swap back and forth quickly and easily.
Also it goes without saying that the filter should be off during water changes and/or whenever you disturb the sand.

Try to ignore the sarcasm posted. Some folks just like to 'debate'. But when somebody reports a flat tire, the first solution isn't necessarily to buy a new Cadillac...not that a new Cadillac wouldn't be nice mind you. ;-)

 

[jaysee]

Yes, forums are full of people who like to debate, as well as pontificate. The two generally don't mix well though. One need not buy a new cadillac to fix a flat tire - that's just ridiculous.