Fine sand killed my powerhead.

[pclittlereefcreations]

I purchased a powersweep 214 put in my ten gallon tank, boy what a nice running little powerhead, but about three days later I noticed some dirt on the bottom of the tank and tried to clean it and a bit of fine sand mixed with the water and got in my powersweep and took it out of commission. It stopped working, a bit of a big deal my fish had no water movement for a day, I took it back to the store next day and they changed it for me and back in the tank it went. I guess that fine sand is a killer. How would I keep this from happening to all my other motors, we need to clean the button of the tank every now and then.

Thanks
DS:tub:

 

[Deanos]

Yea, fine sand sux.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

foam block filter and use some not so fine sand.

 

[iconoclast]

i have a powersweep too! they sort of suck like that, dont they? have you popped it open yet? there is a fine toothed wheel/gear inside that drives the roating head. if even 1 piece of sand gets in there it'll stop it from rotating.

did the powerhead actually stop moving water or did the rotating stop?
I just use mine in a vegetable filter and havn't had high calcium levels for a long time until recently, it always gets pieces of cheato and sand suck in it and I just pull it out and clean it up. over time they are more susceptable to calcium deposits and such than other powerheads due to their delicate mechanism. all powerheads should receive maintenance (make a schedule) depending on your tanks specific needs. (cleaning it out and vinegar soaks)

oh yeah, fine foam wont keep sand out since there are so many entry points with this powerhead. keep your fine sand (since its the best) and just do regular maintenance on this sucker or spend some money (or make it yourself) and get an oscillating powerhead rig. these powersweaps have really terrible flowrates afterall.

 

[pclittlereefcreations]

i have a powersweep too! they sort of suck like that, dont they? have you popped it open yet? there is a fine toothed wheel/gear inside that drives the roating head. if even 1 piece of sand gets in there it'll stop it from rotating.

did the powerhead actually stop moving water or did the rotating stop?
I just use mine in a vegetable filter and havn't had high calcium levels for a long time until recently, it always gets pieces of cheato and sand suck in it and I just pull it out and clean it up. over time they are more susceptable to calcium deposits and such than other powerheads due to their delicate mechanism. all powerheads should receive maintenance (make a schedule) depending on your tanks specific needs. (cleaning it out and vinegar soaks)

oh yeah, fine foam wont keep sand out since there are so many entry points with this powerhead. keep your fine sand (since its the best) and just do regular maintenance on this sucker or spend some money (or make it yourself) and get an oscillating powerhead rig. these powersweaps have really terrible flowrates afterall.

It stopped rotating and sucking, well I had put it in four days from today and that fine mist of sand kill it, I put another one two day ago and so far so good, I hope it don't happend again. I will keep a eye and ear on it.

What other companies make powerheads like this?

Thanks
DS:tub:

 

[iconoclast]

no other companies that im aware of.

 

[SIReefer]

I had the same problem. These powerheads are a good concept but they are flawed, cheaply made & I had nothing but problems w/mine. It wound up in the garbage.