Silt storm

ReefTourist · 03/08/2006, 05:00 PM

I added 200lbs of southdown sand last night to my 90g tank. I was expecting the silt storm that resulted b/c I've read many people talking about how it will take a day or so to settle. I didn't realize how bad that storm could be (especially since I used WaterKeeper's "sloppy" method

.
Up until a couple hours ago I had the return pump and skimmer running hoping the skimmer would help pull out some of it... In reality I probably should have just left everything off b/c now the sump has silt everywhere too. So now everything is off, and I'm letting it truly settle.

Would someone confirm for me that so much silt is ok? I read that it will eventually filter down through the larger grains of sand, true? So until then will I have this silt storm when i level out the sandbed and when i add rock, and whenever I rearrange? How long do you think it will take for this stuff to settle?

I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance.

Thanks.

bertoni · 03/08/2006, 05:08 PM

The amount of silt is no problem at all. It will filter down into the substrate over time, and it makes good habitat for various organisms. The sandstorms should be less drastic over time, especially after some live rock, etc, are added to bump up the bacteria count.

WaterKeeper · 03/08/2006, 05:25 PM

That's what you get for listening to sloppy ole me.

The storm will pass but adding some true LS will hasten its demise. I would go lightly on the pumps however as the sand is abrasive to moving parts.

ReefTourist · 03/08/2006, 05:53 PM

I thought I was prepared for how thick the storm is, but I was not.

Actually you told Cindy about the pumps in your post on LS and LR, and is why I turned the pumps off right when I got home from work this afternoon. Now I have this nice salty murky water sitting in the tank getting colder and colder. Depressing.

I'd like to seed the sand w/ some from the LFS prior to LR, but how can I do that w/o the sump running, no heaters running, and no water movement... basicly a box of water? I guess I have to wait the storm out for the most part until I can turn the equipment back on, then add the LS?

WaterKeeper · 03/08/2006, 05:58 PM

I'd add the LS now. With no bioload on the tank circulation is not critical. You may wish to move the heater to keep it warm however. The intorduction of LS will speed the settling process. After a few days you can add LR too and start your pumps. It may make things a bit murky again but it won't hurt anything by that time.

ReefTourist · 03/08/2006, 06:15 PM

Sweet! I'll do my best to level the sandbed, and setup the heaters tonight. Then I'll pick up some LS tomorrow, and plan on ordering LR early next week so it will arrive mid-week.
While that's going on I guess it'd be a good idea to prepare some saltwater in vats for cleaning the LR and the water changes that will need to be done late next week.
Does that sound about right?

Thanks bertoni and WK!

WaterKeeper · 03/08/2006, 06:41 PM

03/08/2006, 05:00 PM	#1
ReefTourist Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Culpeper, VA Posts: 108	Silt storm I added 200lbs of southdown sand last night to my 90g tank. I was expecting the silt storm that resulted b/c I've read many people talking about how it will take a day or so to settle. I didn't realize how bad that storm could be (especially since I used WaterKeeper's "sloppy" method . Up until a couple hours ago I had the return pump and skimmer running hoping the skimmer would help pull out some of it... In reality I probably should have just left everything off b/c now the sump has silt everywhere too. So now everything is off, and I'm letting it truly settle. Would someone confirm for me that so much silt is ok? I read that it will eventually filter down through the larger grains of sand, true? So until then will I have this silt storm when i level out the sandbed and when i add rock, and whenever I rearrange? How long do you think it will take for this stuff to settle? I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance. Thanks.

03/08/2006, 05:08 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The amount of silt is no problem at all. It will filter down into the substrate over time, and it makes good habitat for various organisms. The sandstorms should be less drastic over time, especially after some live rock, etc, are added to bump up the bacteria count. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/08/2006, 05:25 PM	#3
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	That's what you get for listening to sloppy ole me. The storm will pass but adding some true LS will hasten its demise. I would go lightly on the pumps however as the sand is abrasive to moving parts. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

03/08/2006, 05:58 PM	#5
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	I'd add the LS now. With no bioload on the tank circulation is not critical. You may wish to move the heater to keep it warm however. The intorduction of LS will speed the settling process. After a few days you can add LR too and start your pumps. It may make things a bit murky again but it won't hurt anything by that time. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

03/08/2006, 06:41 PM	#7
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	__________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

03/08/2006, 05:53 PM	#4
ReefTourist Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Culpeper, VA Posts: 108	I thought I was prepared for how thick the storm is, but I was not. Actually you told Cindy about the pumps in your post on LS and LR, and is why I turned the pumps off right when I got home from work this afternoon. Now I have this nice salty murky water sitting in the tank getting colder and colder. Depressing. I'd like to seed the sand w/ some from the LFS prior to LR, but how can I do that w/o the sump running, no heaters running, and no water movement... basicly a box of water? I guess I have to wait the storm out for the most part until I can turn the equipment back on, then add the LS?

03/08/2006, 06:15 PM	#6
ReefTourist Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Culpeper, VA Posts: 108	Sweet! I'll do my best to level the sandbed, and setup the heaters tonight. Then I'll pick up some LS tomorrow, and plan on ordering LR early next week so it will arrive mid-week. While that's going on I guess it'd be a good idea to prepare some saltwater in vats for cleaning the LR and the water changes that will need to be done late next week. Does that sound about right? Thanks bertoni and WK!