ok i'm an idiot

[grumpyoldman]

Last night, I purchased 90 lbs of sand and 2 lbs of LS. I put the sand in the tank and added the water (not the salt yet). The one thing I forgot to do was wash the sand. I realized this after the tank was 1/3 full. I went ahead and finishd filling it, started the filter, let it run all night then emptied it and started the process over. Is there an easier way to do this, or am I just going to have to suck it up and take out the sand to wash it. I know I sound like an idiot, but I think I got a little too excited about starting the process. please help!!

 

[melbournefl]

not an idiot at all LOL just let it settle, mine took about 2-3 days to clear up. The one thing I do wonder about though, did you put your 2 lbs of live sand in regular water too? Lthe LS shouldn't go in until your salt levels are correct.
Just my opinion of course,
Paul

 

[grumpyoldman]

No, that is the one thing I did right last night. I want to wait until the water clears, the temp rises, then I add the salt. After all that, I will put the LS in.

 

[broomer5]

GrumpyOldMan
Here's the deal in my opinion.
Saltmixes are designed to mix with freshwater.
Not freshwater and sand.
If the freshwater you have in the tank along with this sand has a neutral pH around 7.0 or so, and the sand is aragonite based ~ there's a possibility that the freshwater and aragonite may cause a shift in the water chemistry - caronates/calcium - and when you add the saltmix - it may not mix as well.
You may get a shift in either calcium or carbonates - or you may get some calcium carbonate to form solids ~ and precipitate out of the mixed saltwater. If this happens - your pH, alkalinity, calcium and magnesium can drop - then your saltwater is whacked out.
I've only mixed the saltmix in the tank once - and that was before I added the substrate.
I prefer to mix the saltmix OUTSIDE of the tank - then add it to the tank containing the dry sandbed.
In your case - I would first test the pH of the freshwater/sand as it now exists in your tank - just for good measure.
I'd let the cloudy water somewhat "clear" before mixing in the salt.
This can take a few days.
Make sure the tank/freshwater temperature is up around 80 degrees F too.
Then - add the saltmix VERY SLOWY to the clear tank freshwater. Add the saltmix slow enough that it dissolved before reaching the bottom.
A powerhead or two will help - but try not to disturb the sand.
You want the water and salt to MIX uniformly - and not settle out on the bottom sand. This can be very bad for the tankwater chemistry. Take a lot of time for this mixing - and if you must - wait some time before adding more saltmix.
Just my thoughts

 

[ophiura]

You could just use your tank as a giant bucket. Put some water in, maybe 1/3 a tank, swish everything around, and siphon the water out. Repeat that a few times. You will never get the water totally clear, but it is better than taking the sand out, into buckets, and rinsing it in those. I would agree to mix the salt water outside the tank, and it will take time to clear up (most tanks do).