i got the sand in my tank

[a&j_tanks]

i went out to lowes and got play sand for under 3 bucks, for 50lbs!

then i sat in my sink with a buket full of sand and used my sprayer to wash it, tried to get it as clear as possible

then i put all the sand in a garbage bag while i got the makeshift tank ready

heres me starting the makeshift tank, its a 46 gal tub, i have it filtered and heated

heres what my tank lookes like, it cloudy, and i hope it settles soon

now should i do any water changes or anything to help with the cloudy water?
i have a bio-wheel 200 going, and i used a sponge as a pre filter.

anyhelp with getting the water clearer would be great!

thanks for all the help

 

[Hawkfish3.0]

Ugh, it should settle down. I personally would have gone with a fine silica (unless you have rays). It's just as cheap and doesn't cloud the water as much IME. I got 3, 50 lb. bags for $6 each at my local home improvement store.

 

[Jasoncham2003]

all you are using to filter that big tank is a bio wheel 200? At that rate it may never clear up.

 

[thedizzyduck]

with the filter size it could take a few days to clear up

 

[CHOMPERS]

Patients is a virtue. When you don't have enough, you have to pay the price later.


The suspended silt is going to ruin your filter. It is going to start rattling like crazy in several days if you don't take action now. If you "wait for it to settle", you will be adding the cost of a new filter to the cost of the sand.

Rinsing the sand takes about 12-15 successfull rinses. Syphon the sand back out and start the rinsing process again. When the sand is clean, you can pour it into the tank with absolutely zero clouding. It is worth doing right.

 

[thedizzyduck]

are you using a stockings on your filter or just the filter
you may want to start over like chompers said if no stockings

 

[pitbullfish]

i agree.....the filter will sound like a lawn mower....in the past i just put the sand in and waited for it to clear up on its own (no filters/no movement in the tank) which took forever. after that turned on the filters and was good to go.

 

[flopping flamingos]

b4 you add any fish make sure the sand doesnt contain any fungicides assuming you still have the bag?

 

[physicz]

i used that exact same sand.i gave it a good 6 or 7 rinses but mine didnt have cloudyness at all.u should try when u pour the water in,get a plate or a bowl and put it over one spot,then pour the water on top of the bowl so the water doesnt splash the sand all voer the place causeing cloudyness..my water was clear when i did it this way.

 

[dominicolas]

I did the same thing but with cement mixing sand (probably the same thing). I didn't wash mine (probably should have) but it wasn't half as cloudy as yours, weird.