First of all thanks for looking..im having problems with my 125 gal. Tank filled with real fine sand. It keeps getting into the impeller and crushing the magnet. My magnum 350 magnet was first victim haha and its out of service..my magnum 220 is sucking alot too but not affecting the impeller yet. My penguin 350 was disconnected making too much noise cause of the sand in the impeller. I tried everything from cutting the intake tube small, sponge on the intake suction. I want to change all the sand and put it the eco cichlid gravel. I read on a couple forums that it kills all the good bacteria needed..im planning on storing the tanks water and putting it back after all the sand is removed..i know its going to be a big headache removing all the sand.. :[ any advice that can help me..make the process easier..or advice on new substrate that won't get sucked up..thanks for the advice

When I first read the subject I thought it was your Cichlids changing the sand around. No matter what shape I put the substrate, my Cichlids change it to suite themselves. But as to your subject; I used a Cichlid special substrate (sorry I can't remember the name, I got it in Petco) for my Cichlid 55g without too much problem. It does not get sucked up in either of my filters but does kind of "dust up" during substrate cleaning. When too much gets in the syphon, I squeze the hose to reduce suction and it falls back down. I cannot now put my finger over the end as it now goes out of the house via a garden hose.

As to changing out substrate without moving the fish, there are several threads on that issue. Most of which indicate that it can be done without disaster. That was not so when I changed out the crushed coral to Eco Complete in my planted 10g. I was too aggressive and moved too much, too quickly I think. The gist seems to be to remove cupfuls at a time and to not distrube more than you have to. Do a search on the topic and you'll get more info I think. Good luck.

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60g tall, all artificial plants, Rainbow tank; 55g for African Cichlids. 20g long for fry; 20g hex, 2 black Angels at my desk; 10g planted, with 50 Molly fry; 10 gal, 2x 13w cfl lightning, planted; 2g hex for "Buddy the Betta"; Wanting a 200g +, MTS getting bad.