Dirt keeps getting stuck in my filter

Hello I have a 20 gallon easy planted tank. I have about a 1.5 inches of soil powder and a fine gravel cap about the same depth (1.5 inches). I noticed after I do water changed there would be dirt on all of my plant’s leaves and decorations. I have a Tidal 35 filter (HOB) on it. Inside the tank is 1 gold blushing angelfish 5 Cory catfish (3 sterbai, 2 emerald), and 4 cardinal tetras. I went as far as doing a very intensive gravel vac to not avail I even added more gravel to the cap and nothing seems to work exactly. I cleaned the filter itself befpre and it still ends up getting dirty. I am open to any advice.

 

Switching to a soil that isn't so fine or something other than soil probably your best bet. Or a less fine gravel cap.

 

It sounds like the gravel cap isn't adequate and the soil is filtering up through it. You might try removing as much of the gravel as you can and adding a 2" cap of pool filter sand or something similar.

On the other hand, are you sure it's the soil that's on the plants and decorations, and not diatoms? How long has the tank been running?

Also, you didn't ask, but there are a couple issues with your stocking. A 20 gallon tank isn't large enough for an angelfish long-term, and the tetras and corys will do better in larger groups of their own species (though that's probably less critical than the angelfish).

 

It sounds like the gravel cap isn't adequate and the soil is filtering up through it. You might try removing as much of the gravel as you can and adding a 2" cap of pool filter sand or something similar.

On the other hand, are you sure it's the soil that's on the plants and decorations, and not diatoms? How long has the tank been running?

Also, you didn't ask, but there are a couple issues with your stocking. A 20 gallon tank isn't large enough for an angelfish long-term, and the tetras and corys will do better in larger groups of their own species (though that's probably less critical than the angelfish).

I am currently working on getting a larger tank however my tank has been running for almost a year and they are not diatoms I checked it out and its dirt that is coming out of the filter unfortunately.

 

I am currently working on getting a larger tank however my tank has been running for almost a year and they are not diatoms I checked it out and its dirt that is coming out of the filter unfortunately.

Maybe the filter media needs cleaning?

 

Maybe the filter media needs cleaning?

That is the case but after I clean it dirt gets trapped in there again I would like to know if there is a way I can avoid dirt getting inside of my filter

 

That is the case but after I clean it dirt gets trapped in there again I would like to know if there is a way I can avoid dirt getting inside of my filter

A 2" sand cap, like I mentioned above, should keep the soil contained and out of the filter.

 

Do you have a prefilter sponge on your filter?

 

Do you have a prefilter sponge on your filter?

I have a sponge inside of my filter along with filter floss among other things But how the filter is designed there isn't a clear way to add a prefilter sponge on it.

 

When you do a water change, how do you add the new water into the tank? Any disturbance of the gravel cap is an opportunity for dirt to sift up and get into the water column. Vacuuming the gravel can cause this too, and really isn't something you want to do in a dirted ("Walstad") tank setup like you have.

As a comparison, I have a 5.5 gal dirt tank with small pebble caps, and I do a water change maybe once a month, if that, and I never have issues with dirt floating around so long as I add the water in gently. I'll usually cup my hand just below the water surface and pour onto my hand, but placing a small cup, bowl, etc in the tank can do the same job.

 

When you do a water change, how do you add the new water into the tank? Any disturbance of the gravel cap is an opportunity for dirt to sift up and get into the water column. Vacuuming the gravel can cause this too, and really isn't something you want to do in a dirted ("Walstad") tank setup like you have.

As a comparison, I have a 5.5 gal dirt tank with small pebble caps, and I do a water change maybe once a month, if that, and I never have issues with dirt floating around so long as I add the water in gently. I'll usually cup my hand just below the water surface and pour onto my hand, but placing a small cup, bowl, etc in the tank can do the same job.

I have a cup that I use to pour water into so the substrate is not disturbed.

 

Hello I have a 20 gallon easy planted tank. I have about a 1.5 inches of soil powder and a fine gravel cap about the same depth (1.5 inches). I noticed after I do water changed there would be dirt on all of my plant’s leaves and decorations. I have a Tidal 35 filter (HOB) on it. Inside the tank is 1 gold blushing angelfish 5 Cory catfish (3 sterbai, 2 emerald), and 4 cardinal tetras. I went as far as doing a very intensive gravel vac to not avail I even added more gravel to the cap and nothing seems to work exactly. I cleaned the filter itself befpre and it still ends up getting dirty. I am open to any advice.

Can you define “dirt”? Is it meant as in: soil, or finer, mucky-type dirt?

 

I have the same filter on a 10 gallon. If you have a alot of dirt in the filter, then just remove it completely (the whole thing not only the filter cardridge) and clean it in some tank water. Do the same again next day if needed. Removing only the cardridge will not be enough if theres too many dirt sitting in the bottom of the Tidal. As soon as you turn it on again the water will be dirty. I use the blue sponge that came with it and the seachem filter media on top but add a fine layer of filter floss between the two that I replace every few months.