switch to sand (help plz)

[Buc_Nasty]

Really unless you want cloudiness for weeks or months you should take all the sand out and rinse it in buckets VERY thoroughly before you put it in the tank. Rinse out the tank again while the sand is out too.

If your sand is anything like the "pre-washed" sand I bought at home depot, you definitely need to take it out and rinse. The water i rinsed with was completely foggy and you couldnt see through it until i had rinsed and drained each 1/4 full bucket at least 15 times. After the rinsing when i put it in the tank with water it was almost perfectly clear within about 5 minutes, and tiny particles dont get stirred up or damage the filter.

Yours may not be as bad because you said you got it at a LFS tho.

 

[Rayne]

^ I kinda agree with this. I know its going to suck to start over but it sounds like your sand really could have used a thorough rinsing to begin with. I dont know what would cause bubbles and floating crud but I wouldnt want it. Take it out, put a little bit at a time in a 5G bucket and stick a hose in it. Let it run until the water runs clear, then dump the water out, stir the sand and repeat a few times. Wash all the sand this way.

 

[piff567]

the thing is i rinsed it before i put it in, and the cloudyness is pretty much almost gone, i can see almost all of the tank, its just a lil white cloudy. so the cloudyness is going away which is a good sign? its just the bubbled and sand still floating on top. i will post a pic by the end of the night

 

[dagua]

I have been told from salt to fresh tanks sand will get gas and you need to move it sometime and/or have a fish that does the work

In my salt tank I have a sand sifter and a snail that lives under the sand

In my fresh water the eel and the cat move the sand a lot

hope that helps.... I have them too

 

[piff567]

here are the pictures, there is a blue backdrop on the tank to begin with. this is 10 hours after adding sand and you will notice it isnt too cloudy. the pictures are sideways, and cell phone quality (sorry) but notice the bubbles of green sand on the bed, and floating particles on top