Sand In The Filter

[jwalser18]

Okay, so this is my first sanded tank, and so far I literally hate it. I have 2 HOB's atm.. and the sand has already destroyed 2! (now the 2nd 2 are starting to go! I have sponges on the intakes of the filters, but sand still gets up there. I cleaned the sand really well, and still no luck. I wanted sand as thats there natural habitat but I'm done with destroying filters.. any suggestions?

 

[techen]

Don't use hob? There quite crap and cheap

 

[jwalser18]

.......
 
 
 
would this sand be safe anyone?
http/www.menards.com/main/building-materials/landscaping-materials/ground-cover-materials/white-play-sand/p-1934742-c-5784.htm

 

[frapadoodle]

If you have sand in the filter, you didn't rinse it enough.
Use hob's and have for years, no problems.
Playsand is fine to use, just rinse and rinse, when you think you're done, start over. It has a lot of silt.

 

[jwalser18]

what about pool filter sand? silica #20?

 

[frapadoodle]

Never used it, but I know the idea has been knocked around.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Sand is no different than gravel in one respect- it comes in different grain sizes. I had not done sand for the first 11+ years in the hobby. This changed a couple of years ago when I did my fist sand tank. My motives in selecting the sand were very simple. I was getting involved with Altum angels and was advised by a person who has actually collected them in different rivers explained the sand he had found that look the closest to what he saw in the rivers was CaribSea Torpedo Beach. So I went looking for it. In the process I discovered the difference there can be in sands.
 
Moonlight Sand/Marine Sand
Average Small Grain Size: 0.1 mm
Average Large Grain Size: 0.3 mm

 
Sunset Gold
Average Small Grain Size: 0.1 mm
Average Large Grain Size: 0.4 mm

 
 
Crystal River
Average Small Grain Size: 0.2 mm
Average Large Grain Size: 0.5 mm

Torpedo Beach
Average Small Grain Size: 0.2 mm
Average Large Grain Size: 1.2 mm

 
The smaller the grain size, the more easily it can be disturbed into the water column and into your filter. Stuff like play sand or filter sand is not likely to list grain sizes. The other thing to look for is the shape of the grains. Rounded is better, imo.
 
I have this sand now in a few tanks. Two of those tanks have one and two hang on filters that have pre-filter sponges. I never get sand in any of them. If you can, try shortening the intake tubes so they are farther above the bottom.
 
Bear in mind that I pay up for the sand I want. Even on sale it runs about 75 cents a pound.

 

[CJH0825]

I use pool filter sand. I love it! I'll never use the pet store gravel/rock again. I've never had any sand get in the filters of either of my tanks and I have 2 hob on my 55g and 1 on my 20g. All three filters are running perfectly. 2 most important things when adding sand, Wash, wash, wash, then wash, wash, wash. Then when you have washed it and washed it and washed it, Add it very slowly. Treat it like a dangerous chemical and you don't want it to get on anything when pouring it in the tank, slower, slower, slower. I find if you do it that way, It doesn't kick up dust and the water stays clear. If you add decor after, very slow movements as not to move it around very much.

 

[snazy]

You must be using some real powder like sand.
 
I recently got playsand and it wasn't that much trouble washing it and it barely clouded the water after I put it in, maybe for an hour or two.
When I washed it, I poured out the smallest grains which kept floating very easily, that's the only trick to it.
 
But in my other tanks I am using sand with average grain size around 0.9 and there's no way you can disturb that sand easily.
 
I can't imagine how would sand go through the sponges. Maybe it got there before you put the sponges on the intakes, or you have your intakes way too close to the substrate sucking up sand all the time.

 

[CJH0825]

You must be using some real powder like sand.
 
I recently got playsand and it wasn't that much trouble washing it and it barely clouded the water after I put it in, maybe for an hour or two.
When I washed it, I poured out the smallest grains which kept floating very easily, that's the only trick to it.
 
But in my other tanks I am using sand with average grain size around 0.9 and there's no way you can disturb that sand easily.
 
I can't imagine how would sand go through the sponges. Maybe it got there before you put the sponges on the intakes, or you have your intakes way too close to the substrate sucking up sand all the time.

I was thinking that as well. My intakes are apprx. 3 inches from the bottom of the tank. Any closer and I would probably be sucking sand up through them.