Issue with filter, plants, and eco-complete

[lorindaleigh]

I just got a new Aquaclear filter. The first motor in it burned out because plants got stuck in the uptake tube and the motor was running dry all night. I got a second motor and put a stocking over the intake. Now its not sucking up enough water. It just dribbles out the water inside of the water flowing out. It works if I take off the stocking but stops running after a couple of hours due to the eco complete being sucked up into it or plants.

I have an aquaclear 150, I am using an extender tube to make it longer to go about half way down into my 20 gallon. Is the problem that I have the intake tube too long? How do you all make it work with a stocking? Its just not getting enough water.
Thanks!

 

[Riiz]

Try some open-cell foam, for example the foam used for mechanical filtration in the aquaclear filter. It will take alot more time for foam to clog before a stocking does.

 

[thebrandon]

Get a small water bottle or gatorade bottle and cut a hole in one side, then cover it with panty hoes or something, then stick the intake tube in that. You will still get the flow you need and plants wont hinder it's performance anymore!

It will also keep any small fish or snails out of it.

 

[SquirrelOsO]

i use the black foam prefilters sold for pond pumps, they are made by pondmaster