southdown sand

[dive1]

I put about 350lbs of southdown sand in my 240gal reef. I looked at several opions about washing it and decided not to. It has been putting out a dust ever since. It was in the tank for about 2mo and then I broke down the tank and swaped it out because of scratches in the glass. It has been up since fri. Should I keep stiring it up ....will it finally quit...It causes a white film on the glass and everything else. have been cleaning the glass several times a day. Anyone have any experience with dusty southdown?
Thanks.

 

[cb]

I upgrade to a bigger tank and used southdown as the base for my dsb.. I put the southdown in then put what ls I had on top.. I haven't had any problems with it- it cleared over night. Can I ask why you keep stirring it up? I thought you weren't suppose to disturb the sand bed.

 

[harrysreef]

Stop stirring the sand, when bacteria adheres to it it will stop floating so easy. be patient wipe down the glass now and in a couple of days after the bacteria has started. just mo

 

[dive1]

Mainly it is not me stiring the sand but the clown fish, sand sifting snails, and tang. I have not stired it because like I said I mixed it with my 110gal sand and it had already been up in the other 240 gal for almost 3mo. I did not want to loose the bacteria and pods. Just did not want to wait if I should be doing something different. Thanks terry

 

[aileena]

when i put in my sandbed in my tank I put garbage bags over it and then added the water in order to keep from stirring it up to badly...
It worked well...only took a day to clean up...

 

[nm reef]

In time bacteria will weight down the fine sand particles...and gradually the sand will stabalise and settle. That is one of the many advantages of using southdown...the fine grain size. In time you'll be pleased. But it does create sand storms especially if fish are disturbing it...be patient.....it'll work out in the long run.
My next system I hope to establish the sand bed and cycle with un-cured LR before any fish ever go in...that way I hope to minimise the sand storm effect.

 

[dive1]

bump

 

[thomas712]

Mine was cloudy for a couple of weeks, Keep changeing the filter floss which was clogged with silt. Give it time, all you can do. Some say run fresh carbon, not sure if that helps or not.
Thomas

 

[dive1]

bump