help with magnum 350

[cichlidrookie]

My magnum 350 sucks up my sand substrate and messed up my magnet..any advice on keeping the sand off other than making the intake pipe smaller..happy fish keeping

[Cichlidream]

Pantyhose work well for covering intake pipes and keeping smaller particulates from getting in.

[chc]

Use a coarse sponge fitted over the intake. You can get one intended for use in an Aquaclear, cut slit in it, and affix it with a rubber band.