FML!

[Cake_Boss]

This new tank is driving me nuts! The sand won't stop being dusty, I've rinsed it twice now. The filter socks clog in a half hour. I'm putting in clarity, but honestly I thought clarity was clear(this batch is brown).
Should I drain and refill?
Take out the sand and sell it?

Need guidance before the BnC cans the project.

 

[tlsrcs]

when i put sand in my 20l it stayed foggy for 2-3days and i was runing filter floss in one HOB and 2 filter pads in another HOB it finally has setled down. But i will NEVER get sugar sand again for a substrate! EVER!

 

[Cake_Boss]

It's been since Friday, the grain size is the next size up from sugar fine. I rinsed it until the water ran clear, put the sand in, instant cloud (as expected). 4 days and still cloudy, not expected. Began running filter socks, quickly clogged. Purchased more filter socks and Clarity. Clarity messed with skimmer, won't produce bubbles now (exact opposite of expected results), I get it though. Cycling through multiple filter socks.

Today, I got fed up and washed the substrate again (obviously my first attempt sucked), water didn't go exactly clear, but it is workable. I put it in the tank....instant cloud. Is it my water? pH is at 8.0, thought sand started melting (you know what I mean, the same process as a Ca RX) at 6.7?

Should I cut the crap and start over?

 

[chrislorentz]

remover your filter sock. It catches the particles and then they break up and just keep cycling the sand around.

 

[Kindafishy]

I've tried a lot of sands over the years. I actually had my best luck with large crushed coral, oddly enough (most pods mainly). I tried some lousy stuff likely intended for a calcium reactor. That stuff was cloudy for days, but did calm and clear eventually.

For a number of years now I've been using Bahama Oolite. (which I saw at elite the other day BTW) This stuff is supposed to be "pearl-ized" sand. As in it has been smoothed by some sort of sea creature, coated in some sort of pearl like substance. It has been the best sand I've ever used! Pods don't like it due to the ultra fine smooth particles. However those little yellow tentacle "medusa" worms love it! Sand sifters love it too. It's collection WAS ended just after I bought mine (I'd guess for about five years?). However like I said, Elite had some on Sunday.

Whatever happens though. Sand is a huge part of your system. Whichever type you use, it will cause something different to happen then something else. Be careful what you use as well. Some "sands" sold at places like petsmart, and petco are not intended to be used as aquarium sand. Yet these places will let you buy it for that very purpose. Although they will eventually clear up (not cloudy), they will cause other issues sometimes. Such as Calcuim spikes. Fuzed sand beds, ammonia bubbles....

If it isn't touted as Reef aquarium sand. (live or not) it likely isn't going to work well. So, the question comes down to,.. What kind of sand is it??

 

[scchase]

You have anyhting alive in the tank yet, what reduces the cloudiness is bacteria building up on the small particles and dragging them down so without it it will stay cloudy a lot longer than otherwise

 

[chrislorentz]

Jamie your such a NOOB..............

 

[Zoalander]

Go barebottom!!!

 

[djkms]

Jamie.

Solution:

Result:

[video=youtube;bygdRMCwC6s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bygdRMCwC6s[/video]

 

[tlsrcs]

Go barebottom!!!​

that is what i will be doing. sand is to diry for me and things disapear like ZOAS! like red hornet ZOAS! god i liked those lol

 

[Cake_Boss]

What kind of sand is it??

Carib sea floor grade something

You have anyhting alive in the tank yet, what reduces the cloudiness is bacteria building up on the small particles and dragging them down so without it it will stay cloudy a lot longer than otherwise

Nope, just going through the motions before I transfer everything. Will dosing some MB7 help?

Jaime your such a NOOB..............

I know, come take care of this for me? There's a blue agave frag for you.....

 

[chrislorentz]

lol to far.

 

[that0neguy1126]

Jamie that's the same sand I have in mine. It took about 24 hours to clear up.

Sent from my HTC Incredible

 

[MartinsReef]

Jamie,

Calm down, 1st take your filter sock off and 2nd fire up your skimmer. It will go nuts so keep an eye on it. It will clear up in about 24 to 48 hours. My 90 took three days. Clairty is foggy white like skim milk or light brown due the the bacteria in it.

Martin

 

[Cherub]

You didn't rinse it first? I rinsed mine like crazy before putting it in. Did you get the tahitian moon type?

 

[Dr.DiSilicate]

Chill out and let it simmer. The clarity will not help this... Only time. Bacteria will help with the sand storm. All will be well when the skimmer starts up and you make the sound your skimmer was the other day. Lol

 

[Cake_Boss]

lol to far.

Not even for an agave?

Jamie,

Calm down, 1st take your filter sock off and 2nd fire up your skimmer. It will go nuts so keep an eye on it. It will clear up in about 24 to 48 hours. My 90 took three days. Clairty is foggy white like skim milk or light brown due the the bacteria in it.

Martin

Thanks, the Clarity I purchased before was clear. Makes me wonder if it was tampered with...

Jamie that's the same sand I have in mine. It took about 24 hours to clear up.

Sent from my HTC Incredible

Guess I'll just have to wait it out. Gives me time to complete the skinning of the stand and setup the RA

 

[Cake_Boss]

Chill out and let it simmer. The clarity will not help this... Only time. Bacteria will help with the sand storm. All will be well when the skimmer starts up and you make the sound your skimmer was the other day. Lol

 

[Cherub]

oh ignore my reply then its ok

 

[Cake_Boss]

You didn't rinse it first? I rinsed mine like crazy before putting it in. Did you get the tahitian moon type?

oh ignore my reply then its ok

Don't worry, I missed like 5. I guess I type too slow. I washed it twice.

Kris, I'm doing that dance when I win the gift card