Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping => General Fishkeeping Chat => Topic started by: Andy64 on September 28, 2018, 10:41:49 PM

Title: Sand substrate driving me mad!
Post by: Andy64 on September 28, 2018, 10:41:49 PM
My tank has only had fish in for around two weeks, I have a white sand substrate which looks nice and i do quite like it ..............but it is being blown around by the filter and it is driving me mad  >:( So much that i`m already thinking of changing substrate to gravel. Has anyone got any advice on a possible fix, the flow from the filter is quite strong and i have turned it down as much as i can. I was thinking of trying to put a piece of filter media in front of the flow outlet (inside the filter) to try and slow it down further, but not sure if this will work or have any adverse affect on the performance of the filter ??
Title: Re: Sand substrate driving me mad!
Post by: Matt on September 29, 2018, 07:29:30 AM
What filter do you have @Andy64 ?  There are a number of different designs of filter and the answer may vary depending on what type you have...
Title: Re: Sand substrate driving me mad!
Post by: Littlefish on September 29, 2018, 07:48:07 AM
I agree with Matt.
I've had similar problems with reducing water flow in my axolotl tank, whilst still having a substantial turnover rate. Axolotls are messy, but get stressed by strong water flow. Add to that the extra flow created by the filter attached to the chiller unit, and several steps had to be taken to deal with this.
I had the opposite problem in the river tank, and needed to create much more flow. How this was dealt with can also help us to deal with your problem, if only be doing the exact opposite.  :)
Title: Re: Sand substrate driving me mad!
Post by: Andy64 on September 29, 2018, 08:20:46 AM
Hi, the filter is a Fluval U4 and has a number of settings. I'm using the venturi setting as it gives me more control over the flow. If i use it on the bottom or middle setting it looks like there is a gale force wind going through the tank  :). The tank is 200 ltr and it looks like it is snowing with white sand granules being blown around the tank. The water is very clear now and I thought it would settle down, but doesn't seem as if it's going to.
Title: Re: Sand substrate driving me mad!
Post by: Matt on September 29, 2018, 08:31:04 AM
I would be tempted to try the spray bar setting for a bit to give more even flow rather than a concentrated line of flow coming from the top of the device.  How/Where do you have it situated in the tank?
Title: Re: Sand substrate driving me mad!
Post by: Littlefish on September 29, 2018, 10:51:08 AM
I would also use the spray bar settling.
If this doesn't help with the sand, and if reviewing the location of the filter in the tank doesn't resolve the issue, there is another option, though it is quite extreme. It is how I dealt with the axolotl tank flow...make the output holes bigger.
Let us know how you get on with Matt's suggestions before we consider making permanent adjustments to your filter.  :)
Title: Re: Sand substrate driving me mad!
Post by: Andy64 on September 30, 2018, 09:30:09 AM
Thanks for the help  :) , i'm restricted to where i can have the filter because of where the aquarium is situated and also because of the plug sockets. I have tried the spray bar and situated the filter vertical on the side of the tank. This does help and the sand storm is reduced significantly, however the surface agitation is also reduced a lot. I'm thinking that this should be OK long term ? it does seem a more peaceful tank with the spray bar on. Would you recommend putting the venturi setting on once in a while to oxygenate the tank and stir things up a bit.
Title: Re: Sand substrate driving me mad!
Post by: Matt on September 30, 2018, 09:34:49 AM
I would see if you get a surface film building up in the next week or two. If nor no think you should be fine as is.