help!!!

[dawn7369]

I purchased 125 gal tank, placed live sand and salt in tank, it has been 1 week and still can't see through the tank, I did have pumps on for the first 2 days (guy at pet store told me to run them) but then read that I should allow to settle without pumps running so I cut them off, 5 days later it still looks the same, any ideas

 

[gmann1139]

Originally Posted by dawn7369
http:///forum/post/2935388
I purchased 125 gal tank, placed live sand and salt in tank, it has been 1 week and still can't see through the tank, I did have pumps on for the first 2 days (guy at pet store told me to run them) but then read that I should allow to settle without pumps running so I cut them off, 5 days later it still looks the same, any ideas
What kind of substrate are you using? If its extremely fine, it takes forever to settle?
Also, go over the order you added the water, salt, and substrate.
Oh, and you may as well turn the PH back on, because they're just going to kick up more stuff when they come on.

 

[jackri]

I agree with the above... plus you have 3-4 weeks at least before putting anything in -- you have time.
You could also try to get some filter media in to trap some of the really small particles to clear the water or run carbon -- but carbon might slow your bacteria process (not really sure on that).

 

[dawn7369]

Originally Posted by gmann1139
http:///forum/post/2935393
What kind of substrate are you using? If its extremely fine, it takes forever to settle?
Also, go over the order you added the water, salt, and substrate.
Oh, and you may as well turn the PH back on, because they're just going to kick up more stuff when they come on.

I added the water, then the sand and then the salt that is the order they told me at the store, also it is sugar size sand, they said that was better if I wanted to do live rock ect

 

[jackri]

Substrate is personal preference to me... have you noticed any improvements lately?
I know my sugar sized took a really long time as well -- can't remember how long though.

 

[dawn7369]

Originally Posted by jackri
http:///forum/post/2935402
Substrate is personal preference to me... have you noticed any improvements lately?
I know my sugar sized took a really long time as well -- can't remember how long though.
well I can see about an inch into the tank now where before I couldn't, and you maybe right about the size of the sand, I have 75 gal I bought about 2 months ago, and I purchased a different type of sand and it was crystal clear in about 2 days. not having much knowledge it may sound stupid but I was thinking maybe the sand was bad or maybe the stuff in it had all died off and that was why it wasn't settling, I guess I just have to keep watching to see

 

[jackri]

Sounds like a lot of suspended sand "dust" if that makes sense... It's just soo super fine that it really takes awhile -- I would try some of that blue filter material to try and get some of it out.
What do you have for filtration now?

 

[dawn7369]

Originally Posted by jackri
http:///forum/post/2935409
Sounds like a lot of suspended sand "dust" if that makes sense... It's just soo super fine that it really takes awhile -- I would try some of that blue filter material to try and get some of it out.
What do you have for filtration now?
I have 2 cannister filters both have several trays in them, one has white chips in it, one has white round things with holes in them, and one has like a black sponge looking thing in it, they came with the filters when I purchased them, and I placed the stuff into the compartments as directed on the instructions, and yes I rinsed everything first. I was told at the shop that these types of filters are much better for salt then the older piggy back types and they recommended 2 one larger with 3 trays and 1 smaller with 2 trays.

 

[gmann1139]

Check your filter. In the first couple weeks, it should catch a lot of the really small dust in it. If not, as jack said, you might want to get a finer mesh material for it, at least temporarily.

 

[nordy]

I used a canister filter (Magnum 350) with a (washable) paper cartridge when I changed my cc to sand. It did wonders for removing all the cloudiness from my tank during the process. Having a good cartridge type filter really can clear out that fine dust/etc and if you keep a couple of them on hand, you can always have a clean one. I strongly recommend a good mechanical filtration system as well as whatever biological filtration system you have. They keep the water clear of food/algae/fish waste/debris and some of them (like the Magnum series) have carbon cartridges that you can use when needed.