So much for my Sunday plans...

[kpcollins31]

And I thought my 150G tank looked bad before -- after going to last months meeting, I felt re-energized to tackle my 150G tank (thanks Linda and Tom). It had been suffering from lack of a sump, lack of circulation, poor lighting, and generally unattractive aquascaping.

Last weekend, I got the new lighting up and the sump up and running -- but one of the baffles leaked (see 'I Hate Plexiglass' thread) so I decided to take it down and redo the problem area. Sump will be back in action by Tuesday evening at the latest.

Today, I wanted to take out my rocks, put down another inch or so of substrate (aragonite -- the depth was only 2-3 inches so I wanted to add a little more), and re-aquascape. Nothing really went as planned. One of my 3 stripe domino damsels thought I was a chew toy so that made removing the rock more challenging (net to fend him off in one hand and the other hand free to grab rocks) - those suckers can really move.

I got most of the rock out and then decided to get the sand into the area I had removed the rocks from. This is where progress stopped. Even though I rinsed the sand, the water is cloudy white and I can't see 2 inches into the tank. I can't aquascape if I can't see so I may have to wait a day until the dust clears so to speak. Hopefully, the fish will be fine (I have read that this is not a problem, buy I have been wrong before and likely will be again).

Thought I would share.

Kevin

 

[xxxbadfishxxx]

What kind of lighting did you upgrade to?

 

[kpcollins31]

I am using the 4x54W T5 Teklight on the 150 now as opposed to NO fluorescents - huge improvement. Since the 150 is a FOWLR, the lighting is not terribly important (except if I want good coralline on the rocks). I have a 6x54W Teklight on the 90G and I really like it. The 4x54W was a crutch on the 90G until the bigger light arrived.

Kevin

 

[Dave ESPI]

you need a lefthanded sand smoke shifter.
It will clear that water up in no time using a diatom filter bag.
They sell them online, but you need one ASAP, so you should post a thread about it
:hammer:

 

[scorp1on]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8674875#post8674875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dave ESPI
you need a lefthanded sand smoke shifter.

:rollface: I remember being in the Boy Scouts and sending fellow members for the smoke shifters.

Kevin at least it was better than my weekend. Thought I broke my toe but only screwed up all the soft tissue around it. And I am on my feet all night at work. They really should allow drinking on the job so I can get through it.

 

[Dave ESPI]

scorpion..... made my day that someone caught that referance

was one of the best gags to play on the n00bs to send them to the Quartermasters for.

 

[scorp1on]

At the trek jamboree or whatever it was I remember also getting people to fetch over the shoulder boulder holders and sending them on snipe hunts. Can't wait till my son is old enough for that!! :rollface:

 

[Ken668]

Kevin,
To help with the sand, try putting a bunch into a plastic shopping bag or garbage bag, dump some water in so it's really damp and clumpy, then while gripping the top of the bag, lower it all to the bottom and tear a hole so it gently pours out. It's not 100% effective against a cloudy tank, but it's a lot better than just dumping it in.