Sand And Filters

[CrystalClear16]

My Fluval filter has recently starting taking in a LOT of sand. For the past couple of weeks it has been a real struggle getting it open to rinse the sponges, even after I raised it as high up the aquarium wall as I could. I think it might be getting old (is about 3yrs old now) and need replacing, I was thinking of getting an external filter to replace it.

Any tips on minimising the amount of sand it takes in?

 

[Ben M]

hi, the only thing i can think of is keeping the inlet quite high off the sand, and not disturbing the sand too much and making it cloud up.

cheers

 

[ellena]

You'd think as it got older, it would get weaker and so pull less sand in
I thought fluval filters had more life in them than 3 years?