challenges with fine sand, adult corys, and power filtration in small tanks

[bettaMagenta]

I've been working on regionalizing some of my tanks, and I recently moved some adult Corys to a small holding tank with finer sand, which they seem to love. This is just a temporary setup until I get my next 45-gallon tank up and running for their permanent home. I actually have two smaller quarantine/holding tanks with fine sand, and I've noticed that the Corys stir up the sand enough that the power filter sucks it up and locks up the impeller. That's why I'm thinking a sponge filter might be a better fit for my 10-gallon holding tanks - I was just using some equipment I already had on hand.

For the 45-gallon tall tank, I'm hoping it'll be tall enough that if I shorten the intake as much as possible, it'll be fine. However, adding Cupid Cichlids, which are also known to move a lot of earth, to the tank with the Corys and fine sand might still cause some filter issues. I've been considering using a slightly coarser sand for the Corys and Cupids - I bought a bag of pretty fine sand initially, but it's almost like sandblasting material. Even after rinsing, it's still fine enough that the adult Corys can stir it up easily, and in a 10-gallon tank, the filter ends up sucking it up. Do any of you guys use power filters with your Corys?

[graye]

I've actually stopped using power filters in smaller tanks, 20 gallons or less, and even then it's rare for me to use them, just haven't had the best luck with them in smaller setups.

[Bisco]

A small power filter can work just fine, especially with a prefilter to catch the bulk of debris. Shortening the intake tube can also help minimize issues. That being said, I think a sponge filter, which is air-driven, is a great alternative as previously suggested.

[TwinTankman]

The pre-filter is the key to avoiding sand-related issues with power filters. I've used power filters on tanks of all sizes and have had great success, even with sand as the substrate. In my experience, the smaller the sand grains, the more easily they can be stirred up into the water column and remain suspended. However, with a good pre-filter in place, this isn't a problem.

I've been running power filters on my sand-bottomed tanks for years, and I've never had any issues with sand getting into the filter. I attribute this to my use of pre-filters, which catch any debris or sand before it can enter the filter. I use a combination of commercial pre-filters, such as the ATI pre-filter, and my own homemade versions that slip over the intake tube.

In addition to power filters, I also use canisters, cubefilters, and Hamburg Mattenfilters on my sand-bottomed tanks. While the foam on these filters can sometimes suck up a bit of sand, it doesn't seem to affect their performance. I've found that using a high-quality foam and a large enough pre-filter can make all the difference.

I always use pre-filters on my intakes, regardless of the substrate or filter type. Even on my bare-bottom tanks, I find that pre-filters help to keep the filter clean and running smoothly. In the photo I've attached, you can see the pre-filters on the intake tubes of my AC 300 and 200. This tank, a 33L, also features a 4x4x4, 20 ppi Poret cubefilter.

When I run multiple power filters, I like to use a staggered intake setup. This means that one filter is positioned lower down in the tank, while the other is positioned higher up. This helps to create a more even flow of water and prevents any dead spots from forming.

[Rampar]

I've made the switch to air pump driven sponge filters on all my tanks, from the smallest to my 55 gallon. I find they're more than sufficient for my needs. Occasionally, I'll bust out the old HOB with a carbon filter to do a deep clean, but that's about it.