Cloudy tank from adding sand.

[Brent Thomann]

I recently added sand (HD playsand, durascape) to my tank along with some live sand and it looks like milk. I even rinsed the sand before adding. I was wondering if if I put a couple of powerheads in it would it speed the clearing up process? The tank is only half full so I can't run the filtration system. I was going to wait until it cleared up to add my live rock which is pretty much dead now from storing it too long and then the rest of the water.

 

[bkwudzjeep]

When you fill the rest of your tank up, run your skimmer, that will help a bit. Powerheads will just keep it moving around.

It mainly just takes time and patience. Try to get the return going and some live rock in there to get the bacteria growing on the sand to help hold it down a little.

 

[kbmdale]

Just a part of the process. It should clear up after a couple of days. If you still have to add more water, take a garbage bag and float it on the top of the water then poor the water into the center of the bag. This will keep you from sturring up more sand.

 

[Brent Thomann]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6536496#post6536496 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bkwudzjeep
When you fill the rest of your tank up, run your skimmer, that will help a bit. Powerheads will just keep it moving around.

It mainly just takes time and patience. Try to get the return going and some live rock in there to get the bacteria growing on the sand to help hold it down a little.

patience is killing me. I've been waiting so long for this!!

so no powerheads? was going to add the live rock as soon as I can see where to place it. The tank is 31" high so it would be a real pain to fill it all the way (to get the returns going) and add the rock. Be so much easier adding the rock now while its half full or should I say half empty.

 

[kbmdale]

Go ahead and add the rock Its not going to hurt anything.

 

[kel5944]

I set up a tank for my mom recently and had the same kind problem with the sand clouding the water really bad, though it was only dry sand. I let the tank sit for about a week to settle out with just 1 powerhead keeping the water from becoming stagnant. When I went to check on the tank, it was still so cloudy you could barely see the light on the heater when it was turned on.

I added some cured live rock anyway and the next day the tank was so much clearer. It wasn't crystal clear by any means and it still has quite a bit of film on top from the cloudiness collecting. But I was very surprised how clear it got just overnight.

 

[Brent Thomann]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6536592#post6536592 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kbmdale
Go ahead and add the rock Its not going to hurt anything.

I can't see where to put it. There's 220 lbs of it so I don't want to keep moving it around.

 

[Brent Thomann]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6536662#post6536662 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kel5944
I set up a tank for my mom recently and had the same kind problem with the sand clouding the water really bad, though it was only dry sand. I let the tank sit for about a week to settle out with just 1 powerhead keeping the water from becoming stagnant. When I went to check on the tank, it was still so cloudy you could barely see the light on the heater when it was turned on.

I added some cured live rock anyway and the next day the tank was so much clearer. It wasn't crystal clear by any means and it still has quite a bit of film on top from the cloudiness collecting. But I was very surprised how clear it got just overnight.

I'll try and put a few in tonight, thanks.

 

[zangler]

i just switched out my substrate from CC to sand and my tank went to ZERO visability. i added a sponge filter to my powerhead and had my filtration running and it cleaned up in about 6-8hours...then i just changed the filter to a fresh one and all is good. i placed my LR blindly and then moved it where i wanted once it cleared. but if you are waiting for it to just 'settle' you will be waiting a long time...get the filters going i say.

 

[Brent Thomann]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6537113#post6537113 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zangler
i just switched out my substrate from CC to sand and my tank went to ZERO visability. i added a sponge filter to my powerhead and had my filtration running and it cleaned up in about 6-8hours...then i just changed the filter to a fresh one and all is good. i placed my LR blindly and then moved it where i wanted once it cleared. but if you are waiting for it to just 'settle' you will be waiting a long time...get the filters going i say.

I'll see how things look tonight. Its just that it would be sooo much easier arranging ALL the rock in 16" of water then 31", unless I had long arms.

 

[moose8721]

You can buy large filters that attach directly to powerheads. That might clear it up a little for you.

 

[CoMMaNdeR]

Be Patient. It will clear even without any powerhead.

Just be patient, patient is virtue in this hobby.

The best thing is to wait the water to clear a bit, then put liverocks, and then fill the tank with the other 50% of water.

This is how I do.

 

[integlikewhoa]

I like to add the rock before the sand so critters cant ding under the rock causeing a land slide. I also like to add water after the sand for this reason. So my order goes rock sand then water. Helps out alot. Why not atleast syiphon out the water for now do the rock stacking then add the water slowly back in?

 

[spham]

Filter sponge are a great way to clear up the tank faster. Filter sock are even better.

 

[Brent Thomann]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6538946#post6538946 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by integlikewhoa
I like to add the rock before the sand so critters cant ding under the rock causeing a land slide. I also like to add water after the sand for this reason. So my order goes rock sand then water. Helps out alot. Why not atleast syiphon out the water for now do the rock stacking then add the water slowly back in?

thats what I'm going to do tonight if its still cloudy. Just have to find someplace to put 100 gals of water. I currently already have 4qty 32 gal trash cans filled in my basement with water.

 

[maloga3]

I just switched my tank out from a 47 cube to 75 gallon, much better!! anyway I had that cloudy water problem too but it goes away pretty quickly...in like 3 or 4 days it was totally clear, I kept the powerheads on which I think helped to clear it (could be wrong though)