Sand

[AHoskins]

How do people keep sand out of the filters? I used to have a tank with a HOB and sand used to get into the impeller and it would drive me insane. I am now looking at adding sand to my tank that is running a canister and am wondering if I will encounter the same problem.

Any advice from those who use sand is greatly appreciated.

 

[Nic]

keep the intake tube higher in the tank that will help

 

[VLDesign]

That and make sure you wash it good in a bucket by letting the water overflow the bucket, prior to adding it to the tank. This will allow the lighter and smaller sand particles to flow over the edge of the bucket to be discarded. Then what you will be left with are the larger heavier grains of sand.

Obviously you don't want to blast the water in the bucket as it will just make all the sand fly out. Just use a light flow of water from the hose and bury the end in the sand while you swish around the sand with your other hand.