Filter Recomendations For Sand Tank

[paula]

Hi i an soon going to change from gravel to sand , I have currently got a UGF with a powerhead in my tank.
Can anyone recommend a filter for my tank to go with the sand?
Measurements 3ft L x 2 1/2 H x 1ft W.
Thanks.

 

[Torrean]

hehe might be a bit of overkill but you could go fluidized sand bed filter. If your looking for something a bit more reasonable most filters without magnetic impellers should be fine. The magnetic driven impeller can get sand caught in it which over time can ruin it.

 

[Teelie]

I've used several magnetic impeller filters for years with sand and had no problems. The key is to not let the filter intake be too low to the substrate and to make sure you turn the filter off when doing anything with the tank that would make sand fly up everywhere.

The only concern I've had with sand is with a particularly light one that easily floats up into the water and can be sucked by the intake, but it's also a very fine powder-like grain so I doubt it will do much damage unless I neglect regular maintanence.

So basically, you can use any kind of filter, including UGF's although there's some kind of trick to that which I can't recall. I believe it has to do with reversing the flow or making a RUGF.

 

[Griz]

That tank is about the same as my 33 gal which has a sand substrate. I use an AquaClear 200 on it and I've had zero problems for 3 years. At 200 gph, that turns over the tank volume about 7x per hour if you subtract for the volume of substrate and wood. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending AquaClears.

One thing to watch out for is when you first set up and have sand floating in the water column. Sand can sometimes be drawn into the filter so let it settle before turning it on. Also make sure the intake doesn't extend more than halfway to bottom.

 

[paula]

Thanks everyone!
Torrean ,why would it be an overkill? I dont understand!
Would i only need the filter and a heater ?

 

[Nerwign]

I am in the middle of setting up a new tank with a sand substrate. My Eheim filter should arrive in a few days. Even after rinsing the sand well, there is a lot of residue in the water. Should I be concerned about my filter? Should I just let it run with the intake no more than half way down as suggested earlier? I've given it time to settle and it's still very cloudy water. I don't want to ruin my filter after just purchasing it!

-Nerwign

 

[dylema]

Thanks everyone!
Torrean ,why would it be an overkill? I dont understand!
Would i only need the filter and a heater ?

I think they are talking about a fluidized sand bed filter. It is a type of filter thats very effetive due to the huge surface area of the sand but they are used more on big tanks. They consist of a tube with sand in it, the water gets pushed (by way of a powerhead or other pump) up through the sand and out the top.

Hope this helps.

Dylan