Currently my 55 gallon is running an Aqua Tech 30-60. It came with the tank & I've been neglecting to replace it.

The tank started out as a freshwater with gravel. About 7 months ago I started over with brackish & swapped out the gravel for sand.

I had to dramatically shorten the intake tube to keep the sand from being sucked into the filter. Among other inhabitants, there is a violet goby residing in it. When he gets into one of his *moods* & redecorates, I end up with sand in the filter. (Much grinding noises.) Occasionally the filter stops working as a result.

I'd like to switch to a canister filter. Will the sand be an issue for it as well? Should I stretch some panty hose (or similar item) over the intake to prevent it being sucked up? Any suggestions as to which canister would be ideal for a 55 gallon brackish (SG 1.009) tank?

Thanks.

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-Never put a Chinese Algae Eater in a Guppy tank unless you enjoy vacuuming little corpses out of the substrate.-

55 Gallon/brackish (1.009)-
1 dragon goby
5 black mollies
4 bumblebee gobies
14 ghost shrimp
2 snails of unknown species

20 Gallon/freshwater/planted-
3 zebra danios
2 snail of unknown species

10 Gallon/freshwater-
currently fishless

maybe you should consider in upgrading to a sump with a overflow to put underneath your tank. The sump can have mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration all in one spot. plus the sand will be filtered out through filter socks before it hits the return pump. plus it can hide all the equipment from the display. You can look at the DYI section for homemade overflows and sumps.

And remember, using mechanical filtration can result in moderate nitrate levels because of the uneaten food and poo trapped. So I would recommend in choosing a filtration that lets you remove that stuff every 1-3 days like filter socks. Canister filters are a great method if you dont want to use a sump and it will keep the sand away from the internal return pump too! I would look at your LFS for a canister filter and if it doesn't work out then you can just return it and try another brand.

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36 Gallon Saltwater reef tank
Ocellaris Clown, Scooter Dragonet, sandsifter star, Decorator crab, emerald crab, coralline snails, blue leg hermit crab, and horseshoe crab.
Zooad's and shrooms
40 pounds of Live sand, 20 pounds of LR

they do make prefilters that you can get. They fit on most filters and will fix your issue of sand getting in the filter.

Fluval Edge Pre-Filter Sponge - Filter Media - Fish - PetSmart

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75 Gallon Planted

I'm considering a Fluval 406 for my 55. Has anyone used these that's willing to share your experience with them?

I've noticed that I need to deal with the cause of evaporation/salt deposits on my hood(s). They appear nearly everywhere on the top/edge but are the worst directly around the return flow on my HOB. I am most concerned for the light on that side, as the salt has been building up on the vent slits & I'm concerned about hardware corrosion.

Would the glass lids create a tighter seal, thus reducing the salt deposits?

__________________
-Never put a Chinese Algae Eater in a Guppy tank unless you enjoy vacuuming little corpses out of the substrate.-

55 Gallon/brackish (1.009)-
1 dragon goby
5 black mollies
4 bumblebee gobies
14 ghost shrimp
2 snails of unknown species

20 Gallon/freshwater/planted-
3 zebra danios
2 snail of unknown species

10 Gallon/freshwater-
currently fishless