Sandy Substrate Problem.

[AquataHolic420]

Hello, I recently removed all my black and white sand from my 90G growout tank, and replaced it all with 10 five lb bags of tand and white sand. Well i got 2 different brands of sand this time, because 1 LFS only had 3 bags and another LFS only had 7 bags.

Well i put all the new sand in a bucket and let it release all the air, and also i scooped out all of the stuff that floated. The sand soaked for a good 10-12 hours in a big big bucket, i swirled it all around good. So i put it into my tank, and the water has never been so cloudy. It seems that the 7 bags of sand from another LFS was extra extra extra extra fine grade. It was as fine as flour, so now my tank is constantly cloudy. because most of the sand wont sink!


I did this substrate change to brighten up my tapajos red headed geo's.. Also since the water is so cloudy i ruined 1 ac110 already, which is a 40$ bummer. And yes i had the filter off when i was originally adding the sand.

It has been 48 hours and still cloudy, has anyone had this problem?? what can i do?? any tips or pointers would be great. thanks again.

Josh

 

[balton777]

You have to do more than just let the sand soak. You have to fill the bucket with a water and swirl it then pour out the bad stuff. Then repeat over and over and over and over and over until it's clear. Next time go to Leslie's Pool Supply and buy their brand of sand and you'll only have to rinse it a couple of times to get it perfectly clear and NO DUSTCLOUD. Most likely you're going to have to remove all your water and sand and start over. This time rinse your sand thouroughly. I hate to be the bearer of bad news...think of it as a fun project that will give you an awesome looking new tank substrate.

 

[Onion01]

if it looks really bad, I usually stir up the sand and do large water changes in my tank. After 1-2 days, it is fine, especially with the filters on

 

[AquataHolic420]

if it looks really bad, I usually stir up the sand and do large water changes in my tank. After 1-2 days, it is fine, especially with the filters on

Thank u, ill just do a water change, it wasnt as bad 48 hours after the sand was entered, but still not as nice.

Hope it works out. Thanks again.

PS obviously i dumped out all the water from the bucket before putting the sand in my tank, however i did not rinse over and over like i should have, Never had this problem before.

 

[DasArab]

You have to do more than just let the sand soak. You have to fill the bucket with a water and swirl it then pour out the bad stuff. Then repeat over and over and over and over and over until it's clear. Next time go to Leslie's Pool Supply and buy their brand of sand and you'll only have to rinse it a couple of times to get it perfectly clear and NO DUSTCLOUD. Most likely you're going to have to remove all your water and sand and start over. This time rinse your sand thouroughly. I hate to be the bearer of bad news...think of it as a fun project that will give you an awesome looking new tank substrate.

Yep then when youve done that do it again 5 times more. Sand is a PITA to prepare but the extra effort is worth it.

 

[AquataHolic420]

Ive come to the conclusion my sand i bought was just too fine, it has settled, but everytime i check in my filter there is sand. LAME.

 

[Yakuza-Irezumi]

Was it "Carib-Sea" sand?I had this problem,ruind THREE AC's because of it!! I have come to the conclusion that if you have HOB's,then the only "sand" thats good to use is pool filter quartz.Unless you own a WD then this "sand" will always find it's way into an impeller

 

[AquataHolic420]

Was it "Carib-Sea" sand?I had this problem,ruind THREE AC's because of it!! I have come to the conclusion that if you have HOB's,then the only "sand" thats good to use is pool filter quartz.Unless you own a WD then this "sand" will always find it's way into an impeller

I like marine sand sold in 5 lb bags, good buffer and not too fine! Im goin to get more asap.

 

[jojo_nature]

If you have an external you could try putting extra filter wool in .

 

[AquataHolic420]

If you have an external you could try putting extra filter wool in .

1 Canister Cascade, and 1 Ac110. along with another powerhead.