sand (how long to settle?) look at picture!! whats wrong?

Do you have your skimmer running? It looks like there is a lot of protein buildup on the top of the water. That could slow down the process.

It also looks like the waterflow is burrowing some of the sand which will stir things up a bit. For the most part the cloudyness is normal and I would expect it to start looking clear in another 36 hours or so. Mine took a little over 3 days with the skimmer going.
 
If this is a new tank, yes, it can take a couple days to settle. What makes it settle is the bacteria sticking the smaller particles together and weighting them down. In a new tank there is no (or very little) bacteria.

If it is adding sand to an existing set up, it seems to settle in a few hours (or at least mine did).

Good luck!
 
it was pre rinsed. and even if it wasnt would it really make a difference? no fish or live rock in the tank. no protien skimmer yet........just crushed coral sand salt and 2 filters with carbon. its really early in development. not buying fish or plants for a while
 
What you are seeing is normal. It will settle much faster if you can bum a few cups of sand out of friends or LFS established tanks. The bacteria will really take off once it has a source. I never rinse my sand as its the fines you want for a true functioning and bed and all its critters, the finer the better.
As for the build up on the top try floating a few paper towels or sheets of newspaper on the surface for a little bit to soak up the scum on the surface.
 
Also, since you're not getting any live rock or animals for a while, adding a pinch of food every day or 2 will feed the bacteria as it rots and cycle the tank for you while getting the sand to settle.
 
It will definatly settle, just will take time.

When are you considering buying a skimmer??

That will speed things up.

What size tank is it??
 
I would like an opinion on the bacteria. Years ago when I set up my 1st tank, I was told to toss in a shrimp from the grocer (just a frozen tail or 2) and that would force a cycle. I've done it ever since without knowing if it is really working.

Any idea's? If this is a hijack, sorry, just ignore.
 
Throwing in a frozen shrimp will force an ammonia spike, which is the start of the cycle.

The chemistry is pretty simple - decomposing organics create ammonia. Ammonia will break down into nitrite, nitrite will break down into nitrate. Some source of ammonia is required - in the old days, people used to use a single hardy fish (probably cruel), these days most people use some combination of live rock (already has bacteria and some decaying matter) and dead matter (shrimp work, or fish food would also be fine).
 
Great, thanks for the info. Didn't know if it was just an 'ol wives...err.. fish tale.
 
its a 72 gallon tank. buying live rock/skimmer hopfully within the week. by shrimp you mean krill? by plants I mean live coral.....sorry used to freshwater :0) and what is the CHEAPEST light I can buy for my reef. Its a 72 gallon......whats the difference between sunlight and moonlight lamps? do they both provide enough light for coral? can I only get certain coral for both? please point me in the right direction. again unfortunatley money is an issue. thanks.
 
Last edited:
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8095830#post8095830 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rinklforskn
cant I just buy a florescent bulb and put it in my old light fixture for my 72?
Click to expand...

I don't really think that will work.. Normal Fluorescent Lights just don't put out enough light. Better to go with PC or VHO (or possibly MH depending on the corals you want to keep)

As far as the cheapest, I'd look around the equipment for sale forum here.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8096733#post8096733 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by navajo
I don't really think that will work.. Normal Fluorescent Lights just don't put out enough light. Better to go with PC or VHO (or possibly MH depending on the corals you want to keep)

As far as the cheapest, I'd look around the equipment for sale forum here.
Click to expand...
THats not really true, you CAN keep stuff with Normal output fluorescents, and plenty of stuff. Its just not as easy.


PCS are junk, and no one should be buying them anymore. Theyre more expensive than T5s, and they arent nearly as powerful.

As to the sand thing here...another reason why I dont like aragonite sand.


Do you have a skimmer you can throw on there? It'll help clear it up quicker. Filter floss also helps.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8094834#post8094834 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rinklforskn
its a 72 gallon tank. buying live rock/skimmer hopfully within the week. by shrimp you mean krill? by plants I mean live coral.....sorry used to freshwater :0) and what is the CHEAPEST light I can buy for my reef. Its a 72 gallon......whats the difference between sunlight and moonlight lamps? do they both provide enough light for coral? can I only get certain coral for both? please point me in the right direction. again unfortunatley money is an issue. thanks.
Click to expand...

Buy yourself a 2 bulb 54w T5 Tek fixture. Should cost you about $150. Make sure you get individual reflectors.

Throw the old lights right next to it. When you get a little more cash in the future, replace the freshwater lights with another 2 bulb tek retro.
 
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