Aqua Clear 110 - Factors Affecting Sand Pick Up

[punman]

I have had pool filter sand and AC Filters for many years in my African cichlid tanks. From time to time I find sand in the filter box and have to replace impellors and shafts.

Would having more tubes connected, bringing water intake closer to the bottom of the tank pick up more sand because it is closer to the sand, or pick up less sand because the suction could be less strong because of the distance water is lifted?

My cichlids spit sand from many different heights of the tank so I don't know if this would be a factor.

 

[Jexnell]

What you do is either get a premade prefilter, or make your own. I just cut AC50 sponges in half and stick it on the end of the suction pipe. Clean it every few days problem solved.

 

[RD.]

What you do is either get a premade prefilter, or make your own. I just cut AC50 sponges in half and stick it on the end of the suction pipe. Clean it every few days problem solved.View attachment 1360912

Pre-filters will not stop fine grains of sand from finding their way into an AC, when you have fish that spit sand directly on the pre-filters. I have tried every trick in the book with active sand spitters, nothing works. Eventually a grain or two will find their way past the pre-filter, which can result in an impeller or impeller shaft getting damaged, or stopped in its tracks. Even larger pool grain sand will have finer particles, and all it takes is one grain to stop an AC in its tracks. I had my intakes lower, raised them to mid level, and it made no difference. Damn fish just swam up higher to drop a mouthful onto the pre-filter. lol

 

[tlindsey]

I agree with RD. I personally use the shortest intake tube in a couple of my aquariums with sand. Also have sponges on them and during filter maintenance always have a few grains in filter housing.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Only time i ever get sand into mine is when vaccing or otherwise stirring up the substrate.