Eartheaters and filter intakes

[DaveB]

One of Japes's photos made me think of this: Do those of you with Eartheaters and sand substrate take any measures to keep sand out of your filter intakes?

My FX5 intakes are about 4" above the ground level, and one is really well obscured from things by plants, but I still end up with a cup or so of sand in the filter every few months. I was wondering if some people maybe got away with keeping their intakes way up higher, seeing as how the fish themselves do a good job turning things over and keeping settled gunk from ever being an issue down low. Plus any tank with an overflow likely doesn't have a low intake point either.

Of course, the down side to that idea is that then you end up draining the tank past your intakes even on tiny water changes (and I always go at least 50% when I do mine... which always takes me down to intake level, since the FX5s have such big intakes). So that would kind of kill that idea.

I can live with a bit of sand, but lately one of the FX5s has become audible. It's not making weird noises or clacking/clicking or anything, but I can hear the motor, whereas before I could barely tell whether they were both on or off in the bedroom. So I wonder if maybe a few grains got in there.I suppose I should learn how to dismantle an FX5.

Anyway, how do you people set up your intakes with your heavily sifted sand intakes?

 

[JK47]

At first I thought I had the intake on my FX5 high enough but it was sucking in sand (pretty fine size particles). Then I moved the below piece of wood in front of the intake which made about an 80% difference. The intake now sits about 3" higher than it is and is sucking in no sand. The 220g has an overflow/sump and the hieght of the tank puts the intake of the FX5 on that tank about 10" off the substrate which seems to be perfect.

This is an older pic/stock. I can get new pics tomorrow if you need em'

 

[japes]

Well I've only got the 1 Eartheater tank now, and it has waterline holes. Regarding height and the collection of faeces etc, I'm actually quite content on letting whatever wants to sit on the substrate floor - it's easier to vacuum it out than clean filtration, and is probably better for overall water quality.

 

[CTU2fan]

I haven't had a problem, but generally my fish don't spend time near the intake anyway. There is a piece of wood near it, and a plant...the only fish that really approach the intake that I see are the pictus cats.

I seem to recall reading posts about fish deliberately spitting sand into the intakes, but I don't think it was eartheaters.

 

[Aquanero]

My Trimac lives for picking up mouthfuls of sand and blowing it around the tank. He started excavating near the intake so I put a mesh filter bag over it which worked but looked like crap so I put some driftwood in front of it so you can't see it. Keeps the sand out of the intake but I have to wash it off about every two water changes. Not that big a deal just somthing else to do, saves the impeller so I guess it's worth it.

 

[honda237]

no, my intake is about 2" up from the sand, and my geos turn that tank all the time, but i am using PFS, and that stuff sinks straight down. I haven't torn my XP3 up yet, but i also use a 402 powerhead to help blow some of the crap off of the sand. My xp3 is slightly louder than when i first got it, but i have had it for 6 months.

 

[DaveB]

Well I've only got the 1 Eartheater tank now, and it has waterline holes. Regarding height and the collection of faeces etc, I'm actually quite content on letting whatever wants to sit on the substrate floor - it's easier to vacuum it out than clean filtration, and is probably better for overall water quality.

Good point.

It's amazing, I don't think I've had to vaccuum the eartheater tank sand once since I put them in the 125. When they were in a taller 110 with plants it was always an adventure though. I suck at vaccuuming on sand.


I use PFS too. In my growout tank I have three loud aquaclear HOBs that have all sucked in sand. That's because they're so powerful though. Both their intake and the resulting current from the output. And the AC110 intake has to be low to the ground. So I'm constantly scooping sand out of those, and the room they're in is intolerably loud. Nothing I can really do about that though. My main concern is just making sure my FX5s, which are in the bedroom, don't get any more sand exposure than is absolutely necessary.

 

[honda237]

Good point.

It's amazing, I don't think I've had to vaccuum the eartheater tank sand once since I put them in the 125. When they were in a taller 110 with plants it was always an adventure though. I suck at vaccuuming on sand.


I use PFS too. In my growout tank I have three loud aquaclear HOBs that have all sucked in sand. That's because they're so powerful though. Both their intake and the resulting current from the output. And the AC110 intake has to be low to the ground. So I'm constantly scooping sand out of those, and the room they're in is intolerably loud. Nothing I can really do about that though. My main concern is just making sure my FX5s, which are in the bedroom, don't get any more sand exposure than is absolutely necessary.

I know what you mean, i have a emperor that is super loud, ya i don't want my xp3 loud either since it is at the end of my bed.

not to change subject, but i have play sand in my 230g, i got it from home depot, it says it was prerinsed so just added it to the tank, and filled it, there was no dust what so ever, and this stuff is almost as heavy as PFS. I thought i would point this out because a lot of people use PFS for the weight.