Cloudy tank after adding sand

Packrider

I quickly figured out that I didn't rinse my sand enough. How long can it take for the water to clear up? It's a 110gallon tank with 4 bags of sand. I have the feeling I may have to wait awhile. Any fixes or ways of helping it along? I have the all pumps off and just watching it now.

501scionxb

how many pounds of sand? sometimes it really doesnt matter to rinse. what kinda filters do you have? usually turning on your filter helps to clean up the cloudiness.

Loman

My tank is considerably smaller but it clears much quicker than you would suspect. I have had my sand stirred to a point where you can not see really anything in the water and have it reasonable within a day and crystal clear in 2 days. I suspct that the larger tank will take a little longer but I think it will precipitate out fairly quickly.

The comment regarding rinsing the sand surprises me somewhat. Are you using live sand in which case I would not rinse it all. If you have just normal sand are you sure it will add to the buffering that is typically needed in salt tanks?

Monkey Man Zero

Odd as it sounds, turning the pumps on will help. I did the same thing and watched cloudy water for hours, then got the filter going and it cleared up in about 60 minutes in my 125.

Did you use live sand? Loman brings up good points, although the rinsing issue is moot by now, if you did not use live sand, I would consider adding 40- 50 pounds to help your biological filter.

Packrider

I put 40lbs of regular sand in it to start. My local fish guy, a small private coral supplier, suggested this and to add around 20-30 lbs of live sand after I get the salinity correct. I'm running a 40gal sump with a refugium. This is a new setup. Suggestions are greatly welcome. I'm using "Melvsreef plan F" as a sump layout. It's built and plumbed with PVC. I'm using an external pump so everything is in the basement below the tank.

It's been hard to find a good place to see how a full system with a sump and refugium works all together. I've found a bunch of bitts and pieces around but nothing showing a full system with all the filters, pumps and connections. Anyone have something like this?

Monkey Man Zero

I found myself wishing for the same thing, packrider, but have found that each setup is different and it is hard to find anything that says "this is how to do it".

Luckily this forum is here to help us!

Packrider

It would be nice to have a " this is how it all works" kind of thing. Flow, direction, refugium, sump, skimmer. Maybe a block diagram or something. Anyone? Anyone?

Loman

Since you have not went too far with this setup yet I would perform a test on the sand and make sure it works well in the salt tank. I would remove a small portion of it and pour vinegar on it. If it foams and bubbles it is generally pretty good with regard to the pH properties and adding the needed buffering. If not I might leave it for aesthetic purposes but I would make sure and get plenty for filtration and stabalizing the pH.

SILENT SAAB

Hey i jus started my 29 filled it up with good salinity and added 20lbs of live rock and 5 argonite, and my tank is super cloudy!!!! i have 2 powerheads going and a magnum H.O.T canister filter going as well an has not cleared up one bit, how long do you think it ill take to clear up??

chadf

IME 24-48 hrs.