Please help with water change question

[Flowerhorn dad]

I have a new tank set up. My flowerhorn fry are in a 53 gallon tank. I used play sand washed the best I could. Water stayed cloudy for 4 days. I went to the lfs and they said basically to vacuum out the sand and replace with aquarium sand. I did just that last night. My water is very cloudy. My question is should I use clarifier, 25%-50%-75% water change, or a combo of both to clear up my water? I just don't want to disturb or harm my FH's!!
How many water changes can be done in how quick if a period?
Thanks for any advice on this..

 

[xraycer]

Sounds like your tank is experiencing a bacterial bloom since it is new. If that is the case, you're fine, since this is typically harmless. However, since this is a new setup, is the tank actually cycled?

 

[predatorkeeper87]

first off your LFS played you hard to buy that aquarium sand, play sand is in 2/3 of my tanks and its cleaner and way neater than aquarium sand half the time lol.

water changes are all you need to clear up your water, 30% every day until the water looks better.

if this tank is brand new I suggest adding seachem stability because you'll have no bio filter established.

 

[Flowerhorn dad]

I did about a 75% water change last night after putting in new sand. The sand is causing the cloudiness. I'm just wandering should I do another water change tonight and add clarifier.
And does clarifier harm my fry in any way?

 

[Flowerhorn dad]

I realize that the lfs sand is a lot more. I did like the size of grains better. My play sand was really fine grain. Plus the color is more neutral play sand was way to light. I like the neutral look better. I'll do the water changes at 30% thanks

 

[xraycer]

Don't add clarifier, you don't need it.

As long as you do frequent and sufficient water changes your water and keep up with maintenance your water will be clear.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; Something you can do in the future to reduce the cloudiness from sand is to dry sift it before washing it. By this I mean making a sifter from screening material or a colander. I like using window screen. I use cheap construction sand and have found it to contain a variety of particle sizes from dust up to pea sized.

Sifting it dry, outside somewhere, should get rid of a lot of the fine stuff. The size you wind up with will depend on the openings in the screen.

Sand also needs a lot of rinsing. I use two or three buckets, a hose and an old broom stick. I put around a half gallon of sand in one bucket then hit it with the hose and stir with the rounded end of the broom handle. Pour off the cloudy water and repeat untill not very cloudy. Dump the rinsed sand into a clean bucket and start againg with some dirty sand.

 

[convict360]

Sand is a pain in the arse when you first put it in, give it a few days and it will settle.

 

[skjl47]

Don't add clarifier, you don't need it.

Hello; I agree with this. I would not use it.

 

[Flowerhorn dad]

Thanks all, ill keep up with the 30% water changes. Its starting to clear up this afternoon. The fry seem to be doing great. I cant wait to see these little guys grow out. please check out my other post that have the pics of the three fry's and tell me what you think of them..
thanks again for all the advice