Which filter is best for fine sand bottom?

ET1

ET1

AC Members
May 6, 2006
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Canada
I have a fine sand substrate in my 21 Gallon tank. Last night I woke up to my AquaClear filter impeller screaming. I don't know if the power flickered in the house or if it simply quit, but the filter was dry and making a horrible noise. There was some fine sand around the impeller. To those people with sand bottoms..is there a better filter I can use than the AquaClear?
 
have you tried putting a prefilter screen around the intake tube to deter the sand? Find something that will go over the intake tube like a sponge with an X cut in it.
 
I tried a piece of nylon stocking but the sand is very fine and actually went right through it. Perhaps a bit of sponge will work better.The problem with the AquaClear is every time the power flickers or goes out for any length of time, which it seems to every now and again these days, the impeller doesn't always restart until you take the motor part off and tap the stupid thing. I've heard of others having this problem as well.
 
No, it is about 5 inches above it. The catfish tend to kick up the sand when they play.
 
A good sponge should eliminate most of that.
 
is there a specific type of sponge I should use?
 
Ah, okay! Thanks rbishop...your wealth of knowledge is greatly appreciated!
 
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