Sand clogging filter!

[DevilHanzo]

Hi, I tried searching for this on the forums and didn't have much luck, but if someone has a link, it'd be much appreciated!

My question is... I did some research and recently switched my tank from gravel to sand and love the way it looks. However, I have a large pleco that seems to also love playing in it or something and stirs it up quite a bit. The suspended sand particles then clogs up my filter every night! What should I do?

Would something like a sponge prefilter fix this? Or I was thinking maybe putting more rocks in the tank would help keep the sand in place? Lastly, I was thinking of taking away the pleco's tv time until he thought about what he's done. No? ;) Please help!

[Northernguy]

I would put a sponge over the intake.It has been working for me for months now withiut slowing my filter much at all.
I rinse it out every water change.
It will also jump start a new filter after a while.

[Lady Hobbs]

You have the best idea already with that prefilter. But your filter tube can be cut off with a hack saw to be raised up from the sand, as well.

[Northernguy]

What Hobbs just suggested will help.
Here is a pic of mine.[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[DevilHanzo]

Wow, gorgeous tank! Is that just a generic sponge or something designed for filters?

[korith]

Wow, gorgeous tank! Is that just a generic sponge or something designed for filters?

Aquaclear foam filter, they come in various sizes. Just cut a notch in it and stuff the intake into it. Here's a link to what they look like in the box [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

When you do your water changes, you can take the sponge off and clean it in a bucket of tank water to clean it. Also the added bonus of the sponge is it'll act as more media.

[SpaceBison]

Hey Northernguy are all those live plants?