The use falling sand to give the illusion of an underwater waterfall. There are several different methods to create a SandFall. Our SandFalls use the suction created by running water to draw the sand into the main water line and create the waterfall effect. We have found the water pump systems to provide a more realistic looking sandfall and a more robust system than the air pump driven sandfalls The sand then exits the nozzle and falls into the sand reservior where it is then drawn into the waterline again.

Our testing has been done with the White Sand from TopFin® Brand by Pet Smart and the Imaginarium® Brand by PetCo, which can be purchased here. We believe this sand has a suitably consistent grain size and gives the most realistic look. However, other sands with a grain size of approximately 1 mm shoudl work fine in your sandfall. If the grain size is too small, the sand will not fall properly and if it is too large it may damage your sandfall. Please test prior to use.

Your filter should clear this up if given time. To speed the process you can either do water changes or use a water clarifier. Here is a link to our recommended clarifying agent.

Yes, a sandfall will work fine in a planted tank and is the best way to get a natural looking aquascape for your sandfall. However, there are a few things to be carefull of. Small snails common to planted tanks can contribute to clogs. Eco complete, a common substrate for planted tanks can also cause clogging due to the ahrd jagged geometry of the soil. While uncommon, plant debris, specifically from delicate or floating plants, can enter the sandfall system and increase the liklihood of a clog.

Yes, the material manufacturer rates the maximum operational temperature at 89.6 degrees F. Temperatures up to 122 degrees F for limited periods of time should have no significant impact on your waterfall.

Yes. The plastic part sin your sandfall are made from PETG. This is similar to the material, PET, which is what common disposible water bottles are made from. PETG is considered safe by the FDA and is a recylclable material. If your sandfall includes resin material this has been used for decorations in the aquarium trade for decades and is safe for aquarium use.

The reservoir is designed to maximize the amount of sand that enters the SandFall while improving the operation and longevity of the SandFall. The grate prevents objects that are too large for the system from entering, greatly reducing the chance of clogs. (It is still possible for several smaller particles, such as lava rocks from soil like eco complete, to combine to form a clog, but this is rare.)

Short Answer IT WORKS Reduces Installation Time by more 50% IT CONTINUES TO WORK Long Answer First and foremost, IT WORKs. Our system has been heavily tested and works under a wide range of conditions. We offer detailed instructions and an extensive troubleshooting guide on our website. There are lots of videos and internet instructions on how to make DIY kits. What they don’t show you is how many times you will need to test and adjust your plumbing and your scape to get it to work. When you do get it to work, they frequently have a relatively poor rate of sand flow that is less than completely impressive. Once you finally have it working and then fill your tank for the final time and add fish, the DIY sandfalls will frequently either stop working or work even more poorly over time. And then what, rip your completed tank apart to start over. This system also includes a reservoir for the sand facilitating its complete return into the sandfall. This reservoir contains a grate to prevent items that can clog the system from entering the plumping. While we cannot guarantee you will never have a problem, we have tested 100's of configurations and done numerous scapes with months of continuous operation. This has allowed us to design and build a very robust system for a great looking SandFall that will work for months and months to come. If and when you do encounter problems, our website has a great deal of trouble shooting information to get you back and running as fast and as easily as possible. In our experience, creating a DIY SandFall takes a lot of time and effort. About half this time is getting the DIY SandFall to work properly and the other half is getting your aquascape to return the sand to the reservoir area and creating the look you want. Using the AquaVista SandFall allows you to eliminate the trial and error process of the DIY version. This allow you to spend your time on what you enjoy most, creating a spectacular aquascape that will look great and work for months and months to come.