new tank water still merky

[DaveG99]

I filled up my 125 gallon last saturday and it is tuesday afternoon and it is still a little merky. You can see through the tank to the back but the water is not very clear. I hope I cleaned the sand well enough. I have a mag2 and a mj 400 in the tank moving the water around. I have never set up a tank with new sand. When is it going to clear up?

 

[anative]

Do you have any live rock in it yet? If not add some and it will be clear in 24 hours.

Jon

 

[DaveG99]

Nope not yet. I guess I'll ad some from the other tank right now...Thanks!

 

[jay24k]

Yea, live rock does a great job. I wouldn't worry about the sand. If you have a sump, stick a filter sock in there where the water drains and it will be clear ultra fast.

 

[DaveG99]

I looked at it this morning and it already looks way better. How does live rock clear up the water?

 

[sttaylor]

The bacterial colonies from the rock begin to populate the fine particles of sand in the water column. This makes them just a bit heavier and they sink to the bottom clearing the water.

Scott

 

[DaveG99]

Thats pretty amazing. I would have never known. Thanks! I was begining to get worried about my new tank. Thank God for Reef Central and all the fine people here.