FX5 and sand

[nitrofish1]

Does anyone have any issues with sand and their fx5 such as clogging or tearing up the motor assembly etc.?

I have a small school of cory's, and was thinking of replacing the small pebbles I have with some sand. Yet the intake is pretty low to the bottom of the tank, id say 2-2.5" from the bottom.

Type of sand suggested? (I hear play sand is weighty yet lofty)

 

[swede]

Does anyone have any issues with sand and their fx5 such as clogging or tearing up the motor assembly etc.?

I have a small school of cory's, and was thinking of replacing the small pebbles I have with some sand. Yet the intake is pretty low to the bottom of the tank, id say 2-2.5" from the bottom.

Type of sand suggested? (I hear play sand is weighty yet lofty)

pool sand is best, play sand is next. but if you don't mind spending the money,black tahitian moon sand looks nice. you can easily save the hassle of clogging or impeller damage by taking a brand new piece of pantyhose and slipping it over the intake like a sock. media bags work too but are not as friendly to flow

 

[nitrofish1]

pool sand is best, play sand is next. but if you don't mind spending the money,black tahitian moon sand looks nice. you can easily save the hassle of clogging or impeller damage by taking a brand new piece of pantyhose and slipping it over the intake like a sock. media bags work too but are not as friendly to flow

what about shortening the intake tubing? i can post pictures if need be, but i just want to also make sure that the intake and output arent too close together, otherwise its supposed to cause microbubbles if that does happen

 

[swede]

even if you shorten the intake, sand particles can and will be kicked up by fish and other activities. your best bet is to have something over the intake

 

[nitrofish1]

even if you shorten the intake, sand particles can and will be kicked up by fish and other activities. your best bet is to have something over the intake

I do like the look of that Tahitian black moon sand. i think emerald cories would show up quite well on it thanks for the help

 

[NSKIRK559]

I have 2 FX5's and both tanks have sand and both intakes have been cut to help prevent sand from going in the intake. But sand still get's in there and I make sure to flush everything out and clean the pump to a tea! Overall the pumps have been working just great!