milky water - help please

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rays_fish

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jan 15, 2011
68
4
38
Hermosa Beach
Hey All...

5 days ago, I set up a 150g tank with some play sand from Home Depot.

I will admit, I didn't wash the sand all that well... since once rinse.

From day 2, I have done a 50-75% water change but the water is still very milky.

this is my first time using any type of sand for a fresh water tank... so any tips/help would be great.
 
You should have used Pool Filter Sand. Play Sand is awful, and makes your water cloudy very easily.
It will settle though, eventually. If I were you, I'd scoop out as much play sand as you can and go buy Pool Filter Sand. Otherwise do 70-80% water changes every day. It should settle after 5-7 days, as long as you don't mess with the sand at all. Hopefully you have all/if any of your decor in, otherwise it will just cloud up like this again after you add them.
 
i used marine sand for my freshwater and it worked awesome.........you shouldnt have used play sand.........
 
there are no fish in the tank.

How much does the pool sand go for?

guess is time to scoop out 150lbs of crap sand =(
 
Here's what I would do since you don't have any fish in there before you go scooping out all that sand:

Get a python style line running directly from your sink into your tank running warm water. At the same time, get a long hose and siphon out the tank water out a window or door or something. You want to have fresh water running in to the tank and water taken out at the same time. Run that for a couple hours and your sand should be washed and water cleared up (continue doing it until it clears!).
I've used this method many times. Some planted tank substrate is really dirty (Flourite black sand). Works great.
While you're doing it you can stir up the sand and let the water drain low, fill back up, repeat, etc. Mix it up. You just want it to come in contact with a lot of fresh water to clear all the junk out.
 
aclockworkorange said:
Here's what I would do since you don't have any fish in there before you go scooping out all that sand:

Get a python style line running directly from your sink into your tank running warm water. At the same time, get a long hose and siphon out the tank water out a window or door or something. You want to have fresh water running in to the tank and water taken out at the same time. Run that for a couple hours and your sand should be washed and water cleared up (continue doing it until it clears!).
I've used this method many times. Some planted tank substrate is really dirty (Flourite black sand). Works great.
While you're doing it you can stir up the sand and let the water drain low, fill back up, repeat, etc. Mix it up. You just want it to come in contact with a lot of fresh water to clear all the junk out.
Click to expand...


thanks for the reply.

I have done 4 water changes so far and still milky.

As for setting up a python and cycling clean water through.... my sink had a detachable pull-out kitchen faucet heads so idk if that will work. And as for the exiting of the dirty water... I live on the 15th floor so running in it down the drain is the only option.

BUT if you know if any other way I can get a python line running on this type of faucet, I am all ears!!!

Had to fill this tank up the old fashion way ( 5 gallon buckets )
 
You will probably have to change the sand.
 
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