Try wrapping floss or a filter pad around the outside of the intake strainer. To get anything to stay in place inside the tube would require you to pack it too tight.

-Ryan

 

Filter floss inside of the intake tube is just going to make it's way into your impeller and cause problems.

If you want, you can buy a foam sleeve for a power head or something similar and put it over your inlet. This still will reduce your overall flow rate though.

 

Filter floss inside of the intake tube is just going to make it's way into your impeller and cause problems.

If you want, you can buy a foam sleeve for a power head or something similar and put it over your inlet. This still will reduce your overall flow rate though.

 

You can just shorten the intake so it is not close to the sand.

 

I wouldn't do that; your just opening a can of worms. Like other poster said, good chance of it getting in the impeller.

 

When there's fry in the tank(like cyps) I use half of the sponge from an Aquaclear 110.
I stick a sharp knife halfway through and then slip it onto the intake.
Should keep out the sand too.