started setting up a 55 gallon saltwater tank. It's eventually going to be fish only with live rock, but all I put in yesterday was dead play sand. I'm going to add live sand on top of it to seed the dead sand, and eventually add live rock on top. My problem is, I'm a moron. I didn't rinse the sand to remove the dust, but I just put it on and added water. Now, my water is horribly cloudy. I have two questions. My filtration system is a fluval 305 canister filter and a berlin air-lift 60 protein skimmer. Should I start up the fluval to filter the water, or will that just prevent the dust from settling. Also, will the dust ever settle? Thanks for the help!
Sand dust problem
- Thread starter boojumsnark25
- Start date
Start up the circulation. Some filter floss in the canister should catch the larger particles.
Then wait . . .
Be patient and it should clear up in a few days to a week.
Then wait . . .
Be patient and it should clear up in a few days to a week.
a couple of big water changes will help out as well... but yes start up the fluval with some filter floss and it should clear up in a few days... dont forget to replace the filter floss after its clear.
I'm going through the same thing right now.
I rinsed my play sand, and added it to the tank.
Filled it up with about 50% salt water, and added the bagged live sand which made the water really milky.
Added the rest of the water, and turned on the circulation. It cleared considerably overnight, but I was messing with my powerhead and stirred up all the sand again. Much of the finer stuff was caught in the filter media, I know that because I checked and dumped it all back into the aquarium on accident. Whoops.
I have heard once lots of bacteria attatch to the sand, the clouding isn't nearly as bad.
I rinsed my play sand, and added it to the tank.
Filled it up with about 50% salt water, and added the bagged live sand which made the water really milky.
Added the rest of the water, and turned on the circulation. It cleared considerably overnight, but I was messing with my powerhead and stirred up all the sand again. Much of the finer stuff was caught in the filter media, I know that because I checked and dumped it all back into the aquarium on accident. Whoops.
I have heard once lots of bacteria attatch to the sand, the clouding isn't nearly as bad.
Almost crystal clear today, so took about 36 hours.
The shrimp are starting to stink! How long does that last? I put baking soda by the tank, and hung up a blanket to try and isolate the smell.
The shrimp are starting to stink! How long does that last? I put baking soda by the tank, and hung up a blanket to try and isolate the smell.