hob filter and sand?
- Thread starter ayra321
- Start date
You need to be careful . I used to cut the intake tube so it's not so low in the tank. Kaint answer the other question .
my snails dont like sand so i use gravel. and yea sand often will get sucked up in HOB's if you have fish that stir up sand. if your filter starts making alot of noise sand has most likely gotten down in the impellor well where it sits so you have to tear it apart and get the sand out of there. often sliding a piece of foam over the intake filter tube screen will help keep alot of the sand out of the filter.
kj5kb
KEEPER OF CATS, FISH AND CATFISHES
All my HOBS have sponge filters over the intake tube. No problems...never replaced a bad impeller either.
The replacement filter for a penguin 660r powerhead works great for many hobs...I've had to superglue the bottom of the sponge closed for some of 'em.
The replacement filter for a penguin 660r powerhead works great for many hobs...I've had to superglue the bottom of the sponge closed for some of 'em.
What type of sand are you looking into getting?
Both play sand and pool filter sand are fairly inexpensive and readily available. The former is found at pretty much an home improvement store and the latter at a local pool/spa shop. You can get a 50 lb bag of either for under 10 bucks.
I've had brigs do fine with Tahitian moon sand and I would imagine the non-aquarium brand sands would do just as well. They shouldn't irritate the snails' 'feet' unless it feels sharp to the touch.
As for sand and filters, it really depends. I ruined a Marineland HOB impellor using pool filter sand but I don't think I washed it well enough because I had a lot of free floating particles. Now I always use a prefilter but I just setup my 15 gallon using white playsand from Lowes and nothing was in the water column. I probably could have gotten away without it.
Both play sand and pool filter sand are fairly inexpensive and readily available. The former is found at pretty much an home improvement store and the latter at a local pool/spa shop. You can get a 50 lb bag of either for under 10 bucks.
I've had brigs do fine with Tahitian moon sand and I would imagine the non-aquarium brand sands would do just as well. They shouldn't irritate the snails' 'feet' unless it feels sharp to the touch.
As for sand and filters, it really depends. I ruined a Marineland HOB impellor using pool filter sand but I don't think I washed it well enough because I had a lot of free floating particles. Now I always use a prefilter but I just setup my 15 gallon using white playsand from Lowes and nothing was in the water column. I probably could have gotten away without it.
It's not a hob power filter but it is a hob cannister.
I just set up an old ten with Lowes playsand and am using a hot magnum on it. I fitted the outlet with an inlet strainer to keep the sand from getting stirred up . It works very well . I am still in the process of setting up this tank.
I just set up an old ten with Lowes playsand and am using a hot magnum on it. I fitted the outlet with an inlet strainer to keep the sand from getting stirred up . It works very well . I am still in the process of setting up this tank.
I say go for sand if you really like it.
Just some suggestions.
1) Wash the sand over and over and over...its never too clean
2) When adding the sand let it settle before starting up the HOB. It may also be a good idea to do some small wc's in the mean time to get rid of any stubborn free floaters.
3) If the intake is close to the substrate or you just want to be cautious, add a prefilter. It can be as simple as cutting a sponge to fit the intake.
Just some suggestions.
1) Wash the sand over and over and over...its never too clean
2) When adding the sand let it settle before starting up the HOB. It may also be a good idea to do some small wc's in the mean time to get rid of any stubborn free floaters.
3) If the intake is close to the substrate or you just want to be cautious, add a prefilter. It can be as simple as cutting a sponge to fit the intake.
heres the pre filter foam i use: http://www.petmountain.com/show_pro...shoppingdotcom&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=504216