Fluidized sand filter

[bescher]

I bought the fluidized sand bed filter ( the smallest one ) to place on a Sussun 303b canister filter I followed the instructions ) except I didn't install the ball valve as I was informed that the two would go well together. Well they did the sand was between the min. And Max for two days and then the sand got lower and lower and I notice sand in the tank ( the sand filter is between the sunsun 303b and a uv sterilizer) I contacted American and they informed me although the two ( the sunsun and the sand filter are compatible to install the ball valve. Well I did and no nothing work it's as if the ball valve is closed and the head pressure in the sunsun causes it to leak. There are no blockages I cleaned out the sand filter, I raised the filter, to no avail, I lowered the sand filter ( higher and lower than the output of the sunsun filter) I don't know what to do next any ideas anyone and yes both the sand filter and the uv sterilizer are below the output of the sunsun

          
Thank you

[Carl]

I would start by blowing through all lines, part by part because there is obviously an obstruction. Make sure the ball valve is in then open position as if so, there will be absolutely no obstruction.
The purpose of the valve is to regulate flow from a high power pump or filter.

As per the sand filter, if sand gets backed into the "down tube" in the middle, this will block any flow an this will need to be cleared; often a garden hose can do this.

Carl

[devonjohnsgard]

Sept 8, 2015 11:06:00 GMT -5 bescher said:

I bought the fluidized sand bed filter ( the smallest one ) to place on a Sussun 303b canister filter I followed the instructions ) except I didn't install the ball valve as I was informed that the two would go well together. Well they did the sand was between the min. And Max for two days and then the sand got lower and lower and I notice sand in the tank ( the sand filter is between the sunsun 303b and a uv sterilizer) I contacted American and they informed me although the two ( the sunsun and the sand filter are compatible to install the ball valve. Well I did and no nothing work it's as if the ball valve is closed and the head pressure in the sunsun causes it to leak. There are no blockages I cleaned out the sand filter, I raised the filter, to no avail, I lowered the sand filter ( higher and lower than the output of the sunsun filter) I don't know what to do next any ideas anyone and yes both the sand filter and the uv sterilizer are below the output of the sunsun

          
Thank you

The base of the sand filter really needs to be clean. I noticed that's where mulm can build up. Try blowing water through the intake down tube. If that doesn't work, I wonder if the flow is enough considering how much pressure the canister does and then back up to the aquarium. The pump might be strong enough.

[bescher]

I have done all of the above several times there was no mulm and lines were clean. It worked just fine before I inserted the ball valve. After I did that then I had stoppage. I cleaned everything out moved things around and nothing. Right now the fluidized filter is in the middle and maybe slightly higher than the output level of the sunsun 303b. The output of the bed filter then comes out and down below the bed to the uv sterilizer ( the input of the uv is at the bottom) and the it goes up and out. It just stops with sand in the down tube and the Sussun filter head pressure opening up the head and pushing water out out I am going to moved the output of the bed filter over the top and move the uv equal in ht to the bed filter and see what happens