Cloudy water help thanks.

[mr.p]

Well I set up a 16 gallon aquarium yesterday and was told by the guy at my lfs too add the live sand last after the salt level is set. So I did that but I let a little too much pour out at the same time so the water got cloudy and it's still cloudy right now. Should I just leave it alone? will it eventually clear up? also would it be okay to buy some of that cloudy remover? Pretty much all the sand is on the bottom it's just cloudy. thanks!

 

[jdragunas]

it's fine, it should clear up in a few days, it's just the tiniest particles of sand floating around. Are you running a filter too? that should help a lot. I would't buy any chemical add-ins for the tank... there's no such thing for the ocean.
If it's still cloudy in a week or so, you can try adding activated carbon to your filter.
Good Luck!!!

Jenn

 

[mr.p]

Do you know if I can still put live rock in there with a cloudy tank? My first tank it didn't get that cloudy well mainly because we put the live sand in first (rookie Mistake) but i'm thinking it's because it's a smaller tank it's taking longer also? I was running the filter at first but turned it off thinking some of those little guys in the live sand might get sucked up lol and also thinking maybe the filter is just sucking up particules and spitting them back out like a never-ending cycle. I'll run my filter then.

 

[jdragunas]

hmmm...the filter should "filter" out those particles that are floating around. It's ok to add the LR now, as you are just at the beginning of your cycle. It'll help your tank cycle as well.
Jenn

 

[airforceb2]

Keep your filter off. You want the water to settle. All your filter will do is take out the sand and clog the filter media. After a couple days you can turn your filter back on and turn your powerheads on.
As for the LR, add it as soon as you can see what you are doing. You actually want to put the sand in last around the LR so the rock is touching the bottom of the tank. Make sure you shake the rocks as you put them in the sand so the rock touches the bottom.

 

[jdragunas]

guess i was wrong. lol

 

[airforceb2]

Well you weren't wrong. The filter will "filter" out the particles but you want those particles in your tank. If you are going to pay an arm and a leg for LS, you want every last spec in that tank!!

 

[jdragunas]

Haha! I wasn't that wrong!!!

:cheer:

 

[dougai]

what he said^

 

[mr.p]

Do I leave the filter off until all of the cloudy water clears? I left it off yesterday and it has cleared up some but it still is cloudy somewhat, I turned on the filter about 30 minutes ago should I turn it back off? Also how long should it stay cloudy? I put in 5 lbs of live rock is there anything I should do to help keep it alive? I need a water heater the temp is only 72 degrees in the tank would that hurt the live rock?

 

[jdragunas]

You should definately go out and buy a heater right now. The LR won't be able to survive in low water temps, as algae grows in warm water, and good lighting. You should leave the filter off until all of the sand settles. I know it seems like it's taking forever, but it should clear up by the end of the week.

I don't want to give you bad advise, as i am also pretty new to saltwater tanks, but i think your LR will grow back quicker if you leave the ligths on 24/7. Anyone, am i correct on this? :notsure:
Jenn

 

[mr.p]

Allright i'll go buy a heater today then. Stupid guy at my LFS (he's a good guy) but he said we won't be needing one till October but I guess he didn't predict the cold weather were not suppose to be getting right now lol.

 

[jdragunas]

lol

 

[airforceb2]

I would still limit the time the lights are on. If you keep them on too long you will have a horrible algae outbreak. LR just needs to cure and complete the nitrogen cycle.
As for the heater...you should always have one on hand. You want to keep your tank around 78-80 for a FOWLR and 80-82 for reef.

 

[mr.p]

Allright thanks dude I'll go buy a filter I guess it's pretty obvious I should of bought one already. Bad sign if you see a dead floating shrimp in the tank already from the live rock huh? lol. would that mean the live rock would be next? I'd have the heater in a bout 3-4 hours should the rock still be okay?

 

[airforceb2]

You have a shrimp in there? The LR wont really die under your conditions. As long as you have the heater in there by tonight you should be fine. Also keep in mind to make sure the heater doesn't touch anything in the tank. It will take a little while for it to heat the water up and if anything touches it...it'll get cooked.

 

[jdragunas]

How much LR is in there?
Jenn

 

[mr.p]

I put in about 5-6 lbs of live rock a big piece and I'm going to get some more tomorrow and a heater because I freaking bought one with a cord to short. Do you think my live rock will be okay till tomorrow? I'd get it today but I have to lend my car out. I didn't put shrimp in the tank the live rock I buy from my lfs always has little shrimp running around it and I saw a small dead one floating today.

 

[airforceb2]

I'm thinking it was a pod and not a shrimp. How big was it? Was it almost clear?

 

[mr.p]

Yeah it was clear looked like a brine shrimp, could be a pod from what i'm reading now. I thought they were just little shrimp but I'm pretty sure it was a pod. Water is cleared up now and everything is running, just waiting for the ole cycle process to pass by. What's that thing again about putting a raw shrimp in the tank? and how long should it stay in there?