Wtf do I do now...

[rmorse]

*shoots self*

So, I moved out of my rents house, and into my first apt. I take my 55 gallon with me. Thought that this would be a great time to switch it over to sand, since I have always wanted sand....


Went to Petco, picked up some zoomed riversand, and some other fine desert sand. Came home, moved the tank, washed the sand, and put it in. Turned on the filter (go easy on me, first time with sand), and instant grinding. Turned it off, cleaned the filter, and let the tank sit for a couple days.


Thought I was in the clear...tank is clear, and filter is running silent. Turned it off to do a waterchange, changed about 40%, and turned the filter on.


MOST INSANE GRINDING EVER. I looked into the filter (AC110), and there is a bloody INCH of sand on top of the pump. The filter is currently off, but I need to do SOMETHING with the tank. The fish can't be that long without a filter.


I'm guessing the sand is way too fine to be used in a tank. What do I do now? Do I spread some gravel overtop? Buy some playsand, and attempt to swap out the sand?


Help me out people...need some ideas!

 

[Gator]

How close is the intake to the bottom of the tank?

 

[phillydog1958]

go back to gravel. Stick with what you know.

 

[rmorse]

How close is the intake to the bottom of the tank?

8"

 

[flowerpower]

Modify a filter sock to fit over the intake. Then make an extra to switch out when cleaning the first one.

 

[Gator]

Modify a filter sock to fit over the intake. Then make an extra to switch out when cleaning the first one.

Probably your best bet. chalk up another point for canister filters and sand as well. HOB everything goes through your impeller before your filter media. opposite of a canister. The flow of your HOB can also kick up sand right where the intake is.

 

[Pharaoh]

I would take the sand out and put pool filter sand in it.

 

[wow_it_esploded]

Pool filter sand is okay, but playsand is still my favorite. Easy on maintenance, looks much more natural, and is CHEAP. Cheapity, cheapity, cheap cheap!

 

[rmorse]

Modify a filter sock to fit over the intake. Then make an extra to switch out when cleaning the first one.

What do I use for a sock?

 

[packer43064]

What do I use for a sock?

A sock dummy, I prefer black socks, but white will do. Hanes will do.

P.S. Use the dirty one that you "accidentely" wore twice, the extra bacteria will help your bio.