A constant sandstorm

Earl45 · 08/23/2006, 09:10 AM

OK, so I got some sand and live rock in my tank - however when I turn on the pumps I get constant sandstorms. How the heck am I supposed to keep this from happening? I only have a seaswirl on my return and a seio 1500 in a 90 gallon tank. I don't think that's an insane amount of flow. They aren't pointed to the sand, but it is constantly kicking up anyway. Visibility is to where you can't see the back of the tank. Also - How badly will this hurt my pumps?

Help!

divecj5 · 08/23/2006, 09:25 AM

Hey Earl. Did you add your sand after filling the tank or did you put the sand in first and then add the water? When I filled my 55 a couple weeks ago, I added all of the sand in first, then added about half the water and then let it sit for a day. I then added the rest of the water and added my base rock. Overall, I guess I tried to give the sand a good 2-3 days to settle before I started up my skimmer and maxi-jets. I've heard and now experienced that it takes some time before bacteria starts colonizing the surface of the sand and after that happens, the sand won't blow around "as much."

I don't think that the particles will hurt your pumps since it's probably the fine silt not actually the sand itself.

It will probaby take a couple days to settle with the pumps off or running every once in a while. I would also suggest maybe blowing the sand off the rocks with maybe a turkey baster or a pipette.

I hope that helps a little. Let us know how it goes.

Adam

Earl45 · 08/23/2006, 09:50 AM

I put the water in, then I put the rock in (I know out of order) then the sand. It's been about 4 days and the water was clear. Now I turned on the pumps it's a huge mess again.

Sorry I didn't say that the first time around.

Is my live rock going to be OK? What about the critters living on the rock? It sure doesn't look good from over here.

motopsycho · 08/23/2006, 10:25 AM

I had the exact problem as I used Bomix Playsand. It took about 1 week and a half for it to settle. Don't forget to blowoff your rocks once things begin to settle.

08/23/2006, 09:10 AM	#1
Earl45 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 139	A constant sandstorm OK, so I got some sand and live rock in my tank - however when I turn on the pumps I get constant sandstorms. How the heck am I supposed to keep this from happening? I only have a seaswirl on my return and a seio 1500 in a 90 gallon tank. I don't think that's an insane amount of flow. They aren't pointed to the sand, but it is constantly kicking up anyway. Visibility is to where you can't see the back of the tank. Also - How badly will this hurt my pumps? Help!

08/23/2006, 09:25 AM	#2
divecj5 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 709	Hey Earl. Did you add your sand after filling the tank or did you put the sand in first and then add the water? When I filled my 55 a couple weeks ago, I added all of the sand in first, then added about half the water and then let it sit for a day. I then added the rest of the water and added my base rock. Overall, I guess I tried to give the sand a good 2-3 days to settle before I started up my skimmer and maxi-jets. I've heard and now experienced that it takes some time before bacteria starts colonizing the surface of the sand and after that happens, the sand won't blow around "as much." I don't think that the particles will hurt your pumps since it's probably the fine silt not actually the sand itself. It will probaby take a couple days to settle with the pumps off or running every once in a while. I would also suggest maybe blowing the sand off the rocks with maybe a turkey baster or a pipette. I hope that helps a little. Let us know how it goes. Adam __________________ "I spent 90% of my money on women and drink. The rest I wasted" - George Best Current Tank Info: 20H, Vortech MP20, Aquatinics TX5, SPS Only Tank

08/23/2006, 09:50 AM	#3
Earl45 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 139	I put the water in, then I put the rock in (I know out of order) then the sand. It's been about 4 days and the water was clear. Now I turned on the pumps it's a huge mess again. Sorry I didn't say that the first time around. Is my live rock going to be OK? What about the critters living on the rock? It sure doesn't look good from over here.

08/23/2006, 10:25 AM	#4
motopsycho Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Brooklin, ON. Canada Posts: 160	I had the exact problem as I used Bomix Playsand. It took about 1 week and a half for it to settle. Don't forget to blowoff your rocks once things begin to settle.