Help With Sand In 10 Gal

[MrFaile]

I have set up my 10 gal tank with white marine substrate for African Chilids which I read is ok because they like high PH and hard water. I washed the sand throughly and the tank seems to be doing great along with the fish with the exception of the filter. I have tried 2 different types of filters and both start making noise because sand end up getting in the filter. The one I have had the most success with is the bio wheel style filter. However it does end up making a lot of noise after a week or so until I clean it. Does anyone know if there is a type of grease or something that I could get for the water intake assembly in the bottom of the filter? It is a little rod with a magnet on it and a paddle wheel looking piece on it. Or if not do you know a filter for a ten gallon tank that would be better for this? Thanks for any help given.

 

[fry_lover]

it wont be long before someone comes into tell you "you cant keep cichlids in a 10 gallon" even though they dont know what fish you keeping and thats not the point of your post

never tried that filter you got, but why not get a normal internal filter? sand and filter shouldnt be an issue unless you using undergravel, you must have some kind of funky filter there!!!

 

[afishdude]

dont get an internal filter with sand. it will mess the filter up bad.
http/www.petsmart.com/global/product_det...whisper&N=2
the 10 economy

and yea 10g is kinda small for cichlids

 

[fry_lover]

maybe internals are different in USA? I know a lot of people (and i used to also before i switched to externals) who use internal filters and sand? I dont get what the problem is?

Sand sits at the bottom, internals at top, unless you are constantly stirring up your sand or you have sand that floats around your whole tank LOL, shouldnt be an issue really

 

[stang1]

An internal filter will be fine in the tank as long as you don't have it siiting down near the substrate. I have an internal filter in my 7.5G which has sand substrate and have had no problems at all.

 

[MrFaile]

Thank for some of the suggestions, the whisper filter pictured is really close to what I have. It sits at the top of the tank and the pipe that sucks up the water is about half way down. I guess the problem is the two small chilids I have in the aquarium get frisky and like to kick it up with their tail right at the filter. I think grease might solve the problem but I am not sure you can use any kind of underwater grease that does not have anything harmful to the fish. If I can can figure out how to post pictures I will post a picture of the tank and part that is causing the problem. I will get back to you.

 

[stang1]

What Cichlids have you got in there?

 

[MrFaile]

Well since I am new to this I am not really sure but I think they are just African Chilids. They are about 1-2 inches long and one is kind of purple color and if he gets mad he has dark vertical striped the other one is really bright yellow with dark horizontal stripes.

 

[fry_lover]

Chipokae and Yellow Lab, pure guess work on my part, only recently got into Malawi?

 

[Stacey13]

Go buy a new pair of women's stockings, (the cheapies will be fine) cut off the feet and put over the intake, use an elastic band to affix.

 

[MrFaile]

Thats an awesome idea, thank you for your help! I am going to give it a try, although it will probably seem pretty wierd when I go in to buy women stockings.