Floating hydroton in the tank

[mario cole]

Some of my floating hydroton is making it into the tank through the Afnan siphon. I scoop it up when i see it but I'm wondering if its a problem for the tilapia in there. After all the floating pellets are a pretty similar color and just a bit smaller. Do I have to worry about fish with chipped teeth or whatever?

[RupertofOZ]

Your hydroton shouldn't be floating... is it genuinely "hydroton"..... or is the problem actually that you are flooding too high??

 

More info please, pics would be good...

[mario cole]

I'm sure I'm flooding it too high but the watercress is supposed to actually like that.

[TCLynx]

You need a gravel guard around your siphon to keep the media away from the siphon.

[RW]

Flooding too high makes algae growth a problem too. I had watercress do just fine with the water level 1 to 2 inches below the hydroton. It turned into a jungle.

[Keith Rowan]

+1

flood to about an inch to 1.5" under the surface of the media, and put in a standpipe/gravel guard