Gregfishkeeper
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Tank help!!!
- Thread starter Gregfishkeeper
- Start date
Gregfishkeeper
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Jeff4777
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Typically your supposed to wash the sand several times with tank water\rodi before adding it to prevent that cloudiness. Either way don't worry.. its probably going to take a few days to clear now. As far as tank mates I don't really have much input.. stopped keeping fresh water tanks years ago. Good luck!
thelawnwrangler
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Hey guys, I have an established 55 with two 6inch oscars and are ready to move them up to a bigger tank. I got a 120 off of craigslist for cheap and built a stand. I wanted a sand tank since my other was gravel, i went out got some sand from the LFS and put it in the tank and filled it up. Its so cloudy you cant see even 4 inches into the aquarium, i have a filstar XL canister working but its been like 18 hours and it hasnt changed a bit. Also what would you guys say I could have for tank mates with my oscees, lol. I was thinking some pimolodellus blochii.
I had a sand cloud with my live sand in my 36 gallon tank. It didn't settle a ton on its own, and the wife was coming home so I got the cheapest hang on back filter I could and it cleared it up over night. 36 gallon <120 gallons- I don't know what the settle time is otherwise, but I figured I would find use for the hang on back filter and $20 bucks vs hearing it from the wife seemed worth it.
Gregfishkeeper
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Yeah, live sand is what I got. The guy at the LFS saod to just dump in the sand and fill it up. Ill put some HOB filters on to see if that helps, thanks for the responses!!
Jeff4777
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He just said he has a canister filter, which will do more work than a HOB would obviously. Its normal for there to be cloudiness after adding sand washed or not to a degree. No reason for the significant other to be upset if its explained this is normal. Lol. It will clear.
- yeah when you wash live sand you wash away some of the bacteria ect, which is why some just dump it in. Making your tank cloudy for a day or more. Which is no problem, especially since your just setting up the new 120
thelawnwrangler
New member
they sold you live sand for a fresh water tank? (newbie but I think saltwater live sand loses benefit in freshwater) That said some argument if live sand has that much benefit to begin with.
My timeline of the cloud was 24 hours and then grabbed the HOB. pull and rinse those filters as much as your reasonable feel like doing to keep them effective as possible in pulling out that sand dust. (just based on my experience.)
thelawnwrangler
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you don't know my wife lol
actually I am sure I could have explained it to her. It was a little bit of a split decision on getting the tank so I want to keep it as pristine as possible. Trust me 20 bucks well spent.
For the orginal poster if he will have to decide if it is worth it to him. If has HOBs hanging around why not. I haven't used a canister filter ever so not familiar with them. If you aren't clearing sand off the mechanical piece of that filter might want to consider doing more often in hopes of speeding process.
I am a newbie with one sand experience the HOB worked for me no really conviction in saying it will work again for someone else.
thelawnwrangler
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plus side of the HOB was how accessible that filter was - I grabbed it out rinsed it in a book of RO and popped it back every so often.
Jeff4777
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On the note of live sand going in fresh water.. That can work but all the bacteria obviously is going to die. Dry sand ect could of been a cheaper option. Also there can be small traces of salt but I doubt that would be a concern. Also you are going to make sure your substrate isn't raising your fresh water's pH too much.
ps - make sure that die off from the live sand doesn't cause a ammonia spike. Just make sure its well cycled before moving your fish haha.
ps - make sure that die off from the live sand doesn't cause a ammonia spike. Just make sure its well cycled before moving your fish haha.
Gregfishkeeper
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The bag said cichlids?
Gregfishkeeper
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It also had some BioMagnet clarifier that came with the sand, I put in ill see if that effects the water.
thelawnwrangler
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oh- you need to take what I say with a grain of this guy is a newbie and doesn't know a ton flavored salt
thelawnwrangler
New member
PS sounds like a cool set up
