clouds!!!!

[napalm]

OK, So I am about 2 days new to the hobby got all excited and set up my tank. Well, much to my miserable dismay, my tank is SOOO clouded I can't even see 1 inch into it. I have sand and water in there, nothing else. about 50 lbs worth. I got a 65 gallon tank, with a 15 gallon sump, skimmer, overflow setup. Is it normal for it to be this clouded this long, how long should it be until I can see my

[hr]
tank? I have my pumps running, should I turn them off? it also seems odd to me that there are no filters.. I have a 46 gallon BF freshwater with dual filters, a larger tank with none?? have I been steered wrong??
How much LR do I need? Sand?

 

[dfreeman64]

first off did you rinse the sand? if not, try a sponge or filter pad to take out fines. LR is 1-2 pounds per gallon of water.

 

[napalm]

I did not have the means, knor did I know to rinse.. was not directed to by LFS. i realize now I should have, so for future, when I get my LS, how does one rinse it?
and how long should my cloudy water stick around???

 

[tatoush]

I don't think you are supposed to rinse LS, I think he thought you had package bought sand, then again I didn't use LS myself I used the stuff that is packaged dry and that you do have to rinse. I am not sure if LS on the other hand should be rinsed, because wouldn't that rinse out the beneficial nutrients and bacteria! As far as the cloudiness, I would just say sit tight for another day or so, if you see signs of it clearing up then you are on the right path.
Lev

 

[jakebtc]

i never rinse it! if put in with water already in the tank put sand in bowl and slowly put bowl in tank till its full of both water and sand then slowly move it to bottom and dump it slightly if putting in tank w/ no water just dump it in but when u put water in put a bowl or plate on it so as when pouring in water not to stir it all up

 

[jakebtc]

tatoush is on it dont rinse live sand only dry bagged sand

 

[pfitz44]

Get a hang on the back filter and run some carbon for a few days. It should clear up in no time.
I personally put the sand in first, then pored the water on a plate that i placed on the sand.

 

[napalm]

i got wet sand in a bucket, did not say live, but priced like it, 60+ bucks. The water and sand have been in there since Sunday night with no apparent signs of clearing.. now what??? Should I intor some LR to help filter?? I added sand first, then water.

 

[jakebtc]

turn off pumps and powerheads if nothings in it and keep power heads sort of high in tank

 

[some1fishy]

your clouds will go away. Patience my friend!!!!! I just set up my new bedroom tank on saturday nite and it cleared up just yesterday.
So dont get itchy and want to rush in. I just left my mechanical filter on and left lights and powerheads off. I also put an extra carbon filter, well two in my 400 biowheel. It worked out perfectly. So take your time. There will be plenty of time for admiration.
MP