75g Filters

[Finksburg]

Hi All,

So, I think my substrate is destroying AC110s in about 2 months. I had two on my tank and when I preformed maintenance on them this week, one turned into a noisy mess. I purchased some new parts to see if I can fix the broken one. However, my 2nd one is showing signs of issues as well (noisy). I'm assuming sand is getting into the motor and wearing the rod that is inside the filter.

I purchased a 407 this week and I'm loving it so far. However, I'm not 100% sure its enough. Does anyone have any advice on a <$100 that isn't an AC110 that may be a bit better with sand? I'd prefer a cannister. I was looking at the SunSun HW-304b. Anyone have any advice here?

75 gallon tank with a single Midas - Water changes about 3-4 times a week at around 30-40%.

Thanks!

 

[Jexnell]

The issue is not the filter its probably your sand being too small/light.

I had this same issue when I was using Caribsea Moonlight sand. It's a smaller grain .25/.75. When my Oscar would dig in this a lot would hang in the water colum eventually getting sucked up into the filter.
At first I tried to fix it by placing an AC50 sponge cut in half on the intakes. The fine grain sand still got in. So I finally changed the substrate to a bigger grain sand and had no issues since.

I still have 2 AC110'S on that tank, and have had zero issues since I changed out the substrate

 

[Finksburg]

The issue is not the filter its probably your sand being too small/light.

I had this same issue when I was using Caribsea Moonlight sand. It's a smaller grain .25/.75. When my Oscar would dig in this a lot would hang in the water colum eventually getting sucked up into the filter.
At first I tried to fix it by placing an AC50 sponge cut in half on the intakes. The fine grain sand still got in. So I finally changed the substrate to a bigger grain sand and had no issues since.

I still have 2 AC110'S on that tank, and have had zero issues since I changed out the substrate

Changing the substrate seems like a pretty daunting task. I'd almost rather front the money for a new filter.

If I were to change the substrate. How do you even go about that with a fish in the tank and no tanks to house it in while you're making the adjustment?

 

[deeda]

Changing the substrate seems like a pretty daunting task. I'd almost rather front the money for a new filter.

If I were to change the substrate. How do you even go about that with a fish in the tank and no tanks to house it in while you're making the adjustment?

You can siphon out the old substrate into pails when doing water changes and this can be done until all the substrate is removed. Just think of it as a large water change. Rinse any new substrate before adding back into the tank using a scoop or similar container.

Your other option is to raise the intake strainer off the substrate so it's a good 4 or 5 inches above the surface though if the fish spits sand or stirs it up so it gets caught in the intake strainer you'll still have some issues.

 

[Jexnell]

You would change it during a water change. Get the water level low about only 1/3of the tank full. Then use like a plastic bowl/scoop to scoop out the old sand. When all of it's gone you then place the new sand in while the water is still low.

Done this twice myself due to when I first got back in the hobby I bought that really light moonlight sand then switched to gravel. Then I switched again to black sand. Make sure you rinse the new sand thoroughly before putting it in the tank.

 

[duanes]

I had this happen years ago when I used play sand, because it is light, and easily stirred up, so it gets sucked up into the volute of filters, scoring impellers and making them fail. I gradually changed over to Pool Filter Sand and the problem went away, because it is heavier, and not so easily stirred up and into clouds.
If your filter intake tubes are raised higher above the substrate, this can help.
By vacuuming with every water change the tiny gritty particles can be removed, and gradually replaced with pool filter sand.
By doing it gradually adding a few hand fulls at a time, you eliminate the need to cycle and it becomes an easy extra few minutes.
Below is a shot of a 500 GPH Mag drive pump housing that was ruined the small sand particles that got in, carving a figure 8, and turning the pump to junk.
A little hard to see, but its there.

Noise was the first indication the pump was wearing, but with stress the shaft snapped completely, when the housing wore away.

 

[Finksburg]

Ah, that doesn't sound too bad. I'll have to get on it then. Thanks, all.

Pool sand it is. Cheap too..

 

[Rass]

If you like black sand the Black Diamond blasting sand from tractor supply is awesome for the money! I've been using in every tank since discovering it. Just get the more coarse of the two grains they have. Sinks fine, and I have it with all filter types. Just give it a good rinse. I put a half bag at a time into a 5 gallon bucket and blast it from underneath the sand with an open ended garden hose on full. Usually pore the water off once and repeat until clear and no oily residue on the surface. Plants love rooting in it, snails live in it, and I keep everything from neocaridina shrimp to large cichlids on it. I do have the large marineland hob filter with it with no issues, but I do use a large coarse intake sponge from aquarium co-op on it to keep the shrimplets out too. This sand sinks well enough though that I dont think it would be required.

 

[Rass]

...oh and it's about $9 for 50 lb bags.

 

[TheWolfman]

Aqua clear filters a notorious for being noisy. Right from the factory some will make noise while others won’t. Check the impeller and lid.