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	Sand Substrate and In-Tank Filter
Hooktor Fish Addict Posts: 646 Kudos: 651 Votes: 67 Registered: 22-Mar-2004	I just bought an intank filter: http://www.tetra-fish.com/catalog/product.aspx?id=280 Will that work with sand substrate? I really want a tank with sand Are there any other subtrates that shellies would be happy in?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:27
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	Ahhh filtration in sand tanks....bit of a hassle for me too :%). The secret it seems is that you want a filter that's designed with the impeller after the filter media which would allow any sand that does get picked up to be trapped by sponge or floss rather than get caught up in the impeller. While yes you can cover the intake of a HOB filter it's been my experience that it will dramatically reduce water flow. Keeping the intake as high as possible is a general reccomendation as well. ^_^ [hr width='40%'] "Ah, yes," said the toad. "You've got Nac Mac Feegles!"
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:27
Hooktor Fish Addict Posts: 646 Kudos: 651 Votes: 67 Registered: 22-Mar-2004	So is the filter i posted above not a possibility?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:27
OldTimer Mega Fish USAF Retired Posts: 1181 Kudos: 1294 Votes: 809 Registered: 08-Feb-2005	As Babel was saying you need to make sure that the intake of the filter is as high as possible above the sand, unless this particular filter has some type of media tht the water is screened through prior to hitting the impeller. It may be possible to add some filtering floss to the filter, but I was not able to determine this from the description of the product that you posted. Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:27
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	Hooktor Regardless of the filter if it has an impella and any sand no matter how fine or how much gets into the impella it "will" cut up a impella beyond repair. Keith Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do. I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT? VOTE NOW VOTE NOW
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:27
Shannen Banned Posts: 1160 Kudos: 1686 Votes: 98 Registered: 17-Feb-2004	One of our other members (who's name will not be mentioned) had his impeller reduced to a nub in a matter of weeks. I'm going to use this [link=Magnum]http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3597&N=2004+22777" style="COLOR: #000080[/link] HOB canister in my sand tank. The water is filtered before it touches the impeller. It also comes with a Micron filter that does a superb job of polishing the water.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:27
hca Fish Addict Posts: 783 Kudos: 434 Votes: 211 Registered: 06-Mar-2004	Ive got a hob filter, with playsand in the tank- I keep the intake about 4 in above the sand, and clean the filter Once every couple of months- been up for a over a year- no impellor probs as of yet. Maybe Ive just been lucky.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:27
AndyCLS Fish Addict Posts: 590 Kudos: 1584 Votes: 107 Registered: 13-Mar-2003	I've always kept the intake tubes about 4" or more above the top of the sand and I've never had a problem with any of my filters.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:27


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