Put sand in new tank, cloudy water...leave pumps on or off?

Brandon M · 07/12/2008, 02:48 PM

Should I leave the pumps on in my new tank after I put the sand in or is it better to leave everything off until it settles?

Thanks in advance

MalHavoc · 07/12/2008, 02:53 PM

If there's nothing in the tank that requires current flow at the moment, you may as well turn them off. You'll get more sand in the water when you turn them back on, but the bulk will settle out. It's natural to get cloudy water until there is a bit of bacteria in the tank. The sand floating around is probably not great for your pumps, and it may start to settle in your sump, and you might not want it there.

Saltz Creep · 07/12/2008, 02:55 PM

Personally I don't think it makes any difference. It takes time for the light partcles to become laden with bacteria colonies but when they do they will cohere and settle out.

Brandon M · 07/12/2008, 02:58 PM

Thanks guys, should I wait to put the live rock in until it settles? Does it matter?

MalHavoc · 07/12/2008, 03:44 PM

doesn't matter. when you add your rock, you'll start getting bacteria, which will help the sand settle out. may as well go for it.

07/12/2008, 02:48 PM	#1
Brandon M Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,116	Put sand in new tank, cloudy water...leave pumps on or off? Should I leave the pumps on in my new tank after I put the sand in or is it better to leave everything off until it settles? Thanks in advance __________________ Brandon Current Tank Info: 315g 84"x24"x36" FOWLR

07/12/2008, 02:53 PM	#2
MalHavoc Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 10,850	If there's nothing in the tank that requires current flow at the moment, you may as well turn them off. You'll get more sand in the water when you turn them back on, but the bulk will settle out. It's natural to get cloudy water until there is a bit of bacteria in the tank. The sand floating around is probably not great for your pumps, and it may start to settle in your sump, and you might not want it there. __________________ Jason "Empathy, he once had decided, must be limited to herbivores or anyhow omnivores who could depart from a meat diet. Because, ultimately, the empathic gift blurred the boundaries between hunter and victim, between the successful and the defeated." -- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K Dick

07/12/2008, 02:58 PM	#4
Brandon M Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,116	Thanks guys, should I wait to put the live rock in until it settles? Does it matter? __________________ Brandon Current Tank Info: 315g 84"x24"x36" FOWLR

07/12/2008, 03:44 PM	#5
MalHavoc Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 10,850	doesn't matter. when you add your rock, you'll start getting bacteria, which will help the sand settle out. may as well go for it. __________________ Jason "Empathy, he once had decided, must be limited to herbivores or anyhow omnivores who could depart from a meat diet. Because, ultimately, the empathic gift blurred the boundaries between hunter and victim, between the successful and the defeated." -- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K Dick

07/12/2008, 02:55 PM	#3
Saltz Creep Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hickville, FL Posts: 3,728	Personally I don't think it makes any difference. It takes time for the light partcles to become laden with bacteria colonies but when they do they will cohere and settle out.