HELP WITH NEW TANK SET UP!

[oxtim12345]

I just got my 55 gal tank and decided to use the 3/4 HOME DEPOT sand and 1/4 of live sand for the "seeding effect." But i think i got the wrong sand from HD. I got the play sand used for playgrounds. So what's happening now is that it just clouds my tank with sand dust. It looks like crap. I running a filter right on it but it doesn't seem to work very well with the dust. WHAT SHOULD I DO? I don't really want to start over again.

 

[viking]

They only sand from HD that i have heard of working is South Down play sand and Quick Krete(sp) playsand but in both cases its a good idea to pre-rinse the sand to get all the "dust" and other crap out of the sand. atleast thats what one of my books says.
oh ya don't rinse your live sand that killes the sand b/c you just rinsed away all the bacteria.

 

[oxtim12345]

Thanks Viking, i did rinse the sand, but i guess not good enough. Anyway will the sand dust effect the fish's health?

 

[viking]

Originally posted by oxtim12345:
<STRONG>Thanks Viking, i did rinse the sand, but i guess not good enough. Anyway will the sand dust effect the fish's health?</STRONG>
Most certaintly it would have the same affect as us taking deep breaths while in the middle of an Arizona dust storm. besides by the time you tank is all cycled and ready to go this problem should be long gone. The only thing i can think of to do is freequnt water changes of 20% or more and clean your filter pads as often as possible
[ August 27, 2001: Message edited by: Viking ]

 

[caymanlovers]

If you got the wrong sand, and it sounds like you did, I would be concerned about high silica content, I think I read that silica will lead to algae problems. Plus, if the water is staying cloudy you will be putting fish in a contaminated environment.
I think you should consider starting over, possibly save the LS if you can scoop it up separate from the other.

 

[03]

you really have to rinse rinse rinse the sand well before adding it to your system that is what it sounds like you didn't do enough of .anyway if you don't have any inverts in there it will not kill anything but it is not a good thing either. i would get a diatom filter on there to clean it up asap.mark

 

[03]

CRAZY