I have a 29g freshwater aquarium with a top fin 30 HOB filter, and sand substrate. It’s been running for 11 weeks, and the sand was washed for 2 hrs prior to putting it in. It never got 100% clear but significantly better then when I first started washing it( It’s the Top fin Oolite sand). The intake is probably 2/3 way down the Tank so still enough space away from the sand, and it has an aquaclear 30 sponge on it as a make shift intake sponge. Despite all this, I’ve had to change the cartridge 4x now because it gets caked with sand!! I’m waiting for my Tidal 55 filter to ship, for better filtration and just a better overall HOB filter. What’s the best way to prevent this sand from clogging up my new filter?? It’s not like the fish are stirring up the sand like crazy, so not sure why it’s getting sucked up. Would it be best to use a nylon stocking? Or perhaps a finer intake sponge as the coarser one is maybe too big and letting sand through? I love the look of my sand and am really disappointed that it’s being sucked up ?
