Intake height

[cartisdm]

I have a basic HOB filter, how can I tell what is a good adjustment for the height of my intake tube from the bottom? I have an inch or two of pool filter sand so obviously I don't want it to pick up the sand, but does it harm anything to have it too high?

 

[Dr Joe]

No, no harm other than poor circulation.

Stir the sand a little and note how high it floats, then put you intake just above it for starters.

Dr Joe

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[duke33]

No, no harm other than poor circulation.

Stir the sand a little and note how high it floats, then put you intake just above it for starters.

Dr Joe

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So..The lower, the better?

 

[vfc]

I add extensions to my intake tubes so I can drain 50-60% of the water for changes and keep the filters running.

 

[duke33]

I've been keeping one high and one low on the tanks with two. The others I've been looking up tubing around the house since this thread.

 

[Jamieb]

I add extensions to my intake tubes so I can drain 50-60% of the water for changes and keep the filters running.

I do the same mine are about 3.5 inches from surface. I love that i can leave my xp3 on the whole time i do a water change and clean the AC filter .

 

[vfc]

Here is the extension I added to my TetraTec500 and the super long extension I use on my XP4 in my 30" deep tank:

 

[Jamieb]

did you order extra parts from online?

 

[vfc]

The TetraTec extension tube I bought at the LFS. They sell 3' lenghths of varying diameters.

The XP4 entensions are left over from two XP3's that I have hooked to AquaClear surface skimmers (presistent surface film problem). Each surface skimmer freed up two XP3 tube extensions.

 

[Jamieb]

Thanks for info!