This thread is for beginners like me so they can avoid this type of problem..

My HOB filter doesn't work now thanks to the sand. I was doing my 20% water change and when I was filling up the tank, I noticed my HOB stopped working. Check the plugs and everything, took out the propeller and sprayed it with water form the hose so the sand that's clogging it will be removed but when I plug it back on, it's still dead. I guess it's because the intake is kinda low so when my Os disturb the sand when they are fighting or whatever, sand gets sucked up. Good thing I got an overhead filter for backup.
Gonna buy another overhead filter tomorrow and switching back to gravel. I know it'll work out if I should just raise the intake high enough so the sand won't get sucked up but I don't wanna risk the new filter I'm about to buy.

I prefer gravel. Are you sure its the sand that has done the filter in, it could have gone wrong for other reason. Its always a good idea not to have the intake too low when you have sand though

i am also using sand but my oscar likes the ram the glass and stir it up. I am thinking about putting some panty hose on my intake hopefully to keep my filter from sucking so much sand.

That's exactly what my Os does.. They fight most of the time so disturb the sand. Sometimes I see sand in my HOB. The HOB's gone now. I replaced it with an overhead filter system.

well i covered my intake with some black panty hose and i am already seeing sand being caught. I just used some zipties to secure it. I guess only time will tell.

Good luck!
BTW, I haven't switched to gravel yet.. I'm still thinking about it. I really love sand.

Im wondering if that panty hose worked because I have my intake on my hob filter 6" from the sands and its still sucking some up and making noise

well i have been running panty hose for 3 days now and my filter is making less noise. It is stopping some sand because i can see it on the panty hose. I am thinking about doubling it up just for good measure, and it doesn't seem to be hurting the intake flow.