Any tricks to help with the storm?

Saltcity · 03/14/2010, 10:45 AM

I ordered sand from Marco and it is VERY fine.
I put it in yesterday and today the tank is basically clear but everytime I turn on a powerhead or the sump pump, it stirs the sand and creates a cloudy mess. Is there a trick to useing this very fine sand?
I usually use Caribasea Arago-live sand which is huge compared to this stuff.

How long will it take to Not have a cloud when I turn on circulation??

capnfritz · 03/14/2010, 12:03 PM

Try adding your Arago in a thin layer on top.

graveyardworm · 03/14/2010, 12:08 PM

Give it a bit of time to develop bacteria, and once other life begins to inhabit the sand it will help it to remain on the bottom. Of course though if you have turbulent flow its going to contiue to shift around.

Saltcity · 03/14/2010, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnfritz

Try adding your Arago in a thin layer on top.

I added 160lbs. of Marco sugar sand and then I added 40lbs. of the Arago on top but it didn't help.
I'm sure it will settle down in time but if I just stick my hand in there it creates a big "Puff". Tomorrow I recieve my live rock, 150lbs. but I really don't want to add it and then get it covered with silt.

WHY CAN'T it ever be simple!

Jake007 · 03/14/2010, 03:36 PM

I just added about 55lbs of Carib Sea Fuji Pink (med grain size) four days ago when I upgraded tanks. I too still have visable sand in the water column. Eventually I think it will settle down or filter out in the filter sock. I forgot how long it takes to settle down but I also can't wait until it is crystal clear.

Saltcity · 03/14/2010, 05:45 PM

Yeah, I usually have a little cloudy water for a day but This sand is like pouder and it just stays suspended in the water... Gonna be a long time before I have no dust storm.
On a side note, it should be really enjoyable for my Nassarius snails slidin around on silky smooth sand!

graveyardworm · 03/14/2010, 05:52 PM

Soon as bacteria establish themselves on the fine grains it will sink.

Saltcity · 03/14/2010, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graveyardworm

Soon as bacteria establish themselves on the fine grains it will sink.

My problem is... I have 3 sacrafice Damsels and a lot of live rock coming but I don't want to put it all in till the cloud settles. I did put 40lbs. of live sand and a bottle of starter bacteria so will that be enough to work or do I need some fish in there?

coralpimp2009 · 03/14/2010, 08:08 PM

best thing to do is if its causing you problems now, save your self the head ache and research new sand and buy new stuff! Dont ever rush anything in this hobby! I know you know you need too but you are just hoping you dont. I feel your pain and trust me when I say we've all done some things in this hobby that has costed us some money.
Just stop the wasting here, with the sand. Do more research before buying anything else(sand, rock, cycling, clean up crew members, fish corals and suppliment) and know about most of the pro's and cons about what ever you decide to add in the future, saves alot of money for just a little time spent looking stuff up.....

Saltcity · 03/14/2010, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coralpimp2009

best thing to do is if its causing you problems now, save your self the head ache and research new sand and buy new stuff! Dont ever rush anything in this hobby! I know you know you need too but you are just hoping you dont. I feel your pain and trust me when I say we've all done some things in this hobby that has costed us some money.
Just stop the wasting here, with the sand. Do more research before buying anything else(sand, rock, cycling, clean up crew members, fish corals and suppliment) and know about most of the pro's and cons about what ever you decide to add in the future, saves alot of money for just a little time spent looking stuff up.....

I did/Do research... This IS the sand I want. I just didn't realize how fine grain it was. Its not costing me any money to give it time to settle. Buying 200lbs. of NEW sand Would cost money.

sowellj · 03/14/2010, 08:40 PM

There are quite a few people who have had this issue w/the marco sand. It should bet better, but I think folks who were going predominantly SPS and had lots of flow ended up getting rid of it. I wouldn't worry a bit about it collecting on your rocks, it won't affect them. No reason to use the damsels either. There are more effective, and less cruel, ways to cycle a tank.

mboos · 03/14/2010, 09:06 PM

I don't know anything about Marco sand, but I just wanted to throw my two cents in about your cycling process. There are plenty of other ways to cycle your tank, there's no need to "sacrifice" damsels. This hobby takes enough slack for it's destruction of the reefs that we should be using more humane practices when available!

jnbrex · 03/14/2010, 09:18 PM

Put in a few filter socks. Dont let the dust just settle to the bottom, that is only a temporary solution and the sand will be re-stirred up every time a fish darts across the sand or anything disturbs it.

Saltcity · 03/14/2010, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnbrex

Put in a few filter socks. Dont let the dust just settle to the bottom, that is only a temporary solution and the sand will be re-stirred up every time a fish darts across the sand or anything disturbs it.

Saturday I had a filter sock running but it clogged too quick. Then I put in some huge foam filters and that helped but with the return pump running, it just kept stiring up the sand. It's really, Really fine and the littlest current with "Poof" it up. This morning it was basically clear and I decided to run the foam filters again but it instantly made a huge dust storm so for now, its gonna settle. Tomorrow I will be adding rock, lots of rock, and then letting it settle again and just go from there.

TitusvileSurfer · 03/15/2010, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coralpimp2009

Please THINK before you post and ask your self....how will this be taken? Will I offend? Make the message boards a fun place to be!

The guy has averaged about 1000 posts per year over the last 4 years, I think he has done some research.

Is any of the sand finer than the rest? You may have to let the finest of the fine go down the pipes and remove it with your filter sock.

lordofthereef · 03/15/2010, 06:31 AM

What kinds of pumps and how much flow? if you are going for high flow I think this is the number one reason why people end up going barebottom or using a larger grain sand.

silverfly · 03/15/2010, 07:16 AM

it'll settle i reckon. You'll lose the dust, i had the same problem

Chris27 · 03/15/2010, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverfly

it'll settle i reckon. You'll lose the dust, i had the same problem

+1

Patience my friend, patience.

When I set up new tanks, I just have about 3-4 filter socks at the ready. I change them out every few hours. Once the socks get all the dust, the tank should clear in about 2-3 days.

Good Luck.

greech · 03/15/2010, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saltcity

Tomorrow I recieve my live rock, 150lbs. but I really don't want to add it and then get it covered with silt.

I believe this may be part of your problem. If I am reading this correctly you don't have any rock in your tank to disrupt the flow. Once you have some rock (obstacles) in your tank you should see an improvment in the sandstorms. I started my 40 breeder with very little rock and ended up returning a Koralia 3 for another K2. Now that I have more rock in my tank, I wish I had the K3 back. HTH.

Saltcity · 03/15/2010, 10:07 AM

No rocks in it yet... BUT, I really don't think that will change anything.
I'm running it through some socks right now and hopefully I can collect all the Super fine dust and help with it.

Here's how touchy it is.. I ran my Magfloat down towards the bottom Very slowly and it looked like a wind tunnel test with a smoke trail behind it.
I think time and Bacteria are the only help right now..

And YES, I have spent alot of time researching and I still screw up here and there!!

Thanks Titus!!

maynardjames · 03/15/2010, 10:43 AM

maybe just try a small amount of larger grain sand on top to help hold fine down. shouldn`t take much to hold fine down

Saltcity · 03/15/2010, 04:25 PM

Well, here's my update:

This sand sucks and it's coming out!!!

I've spent ALL day sucking the sump out and cleaning it, changed 40 gallons of water and added 150lbs. of rock to the tank and once i turned on the sump pump... Every bit of my water is cloudy/milky and the sump has fine silt in the bottom again.

I'm going back to my trusty live rock! Anyone want 200lbs. of beautifully fine sand???

Saltcity · 03/18/2010, 07:32 PM

New UPDATE:

Removed the old sand and went back with a 50/50 mix of 60lbs. Caribsea Arago-live Indo Pacific black(salt n pepper) and another 60lbs. of Caribsea dry sand white in color to lighten up the black.

Filled it up with water today and cranked on the sump pump....Perfect!! No cloud and is lookin good. Then I decided to give my Hydor wavemaker a try. Again, worked perfect with no sand clouding. Only thing I saw was a few sand granules moving around with the wavemaker.

NOW I'm happy!!

03/14/2010, 10:45 AM	#1
Saltcity Moved On Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 4,297	Any tricks to help with the storm? I ordered sand from Marco and it is VERY fine. I put it in yesterday and today the tank is basically clear but everytime I turn on a powerhead or the sump pump, it stirs the sand and creates a cloudy mess. Is there a trick to useing this very fine sand? I usually use Caribasea Arago-live sand which is huge compared to this stuff. How long will it take to Not have a cloud when I turn on circulation??

03/14/2010, 12:03 PM	#2
capnfritz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cleveland Posts: 170	Try adding your Arago in a thin layer on top. __________________ capnfritz Current Tank Info: 75 gal mixed reef,55 gal. Species

03/14/2010, 12:08 PM	#3
graveyardworm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nottingham, NH Posts: 7,251	Give it a bit of time to develop bacteria, and once other life begins to inhabit the sand it will help it to remain on the bottom. Of course though if you have turbulent flow its going to contiue to shift around. __________________ -David- President - New Hampshire Reef Club There’ll be no one to save, with the world in a grave Current Tank Info: 100 gal lagoon/seagrass, 100 gal sump, Lifereef 72" skimmer, 180 inwall, 125 inwall seagrass/lagoon in progress

03/14/2010, 05:52 PM	#7
graveyardworm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nottingham, NH Posts: 7,251	Soon as bacteria establish themselves on the fine grains it will sink. __________________ -David- President - New Hampshire Reef Club There’ll be no one to save, with the world in a grave Current Tank Info: 100 gal lagoon/seagrass, 100 gal sump, Lifereef 72" skimmer, 180 inwall, 125 inwall seagrass/lagoon in progress

03/14/2010, 08:08 PM	#9
coralpimp2009 Moved On Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: MI Posts: 55	best thing! best thing to do is if its causing you problems now, save your self the head ache and research new sand and buy new stuff! Dont ever rush anything in this hobby! I know you know you need too but you are just hoping you dont. I feel your pain and trust me when I say we've all done some things in this hobby that has costed us some money. Just stop the wasting here, with the sand. Do more research before buying anything else(sand, rock, cycling, clean up crew members, fish corals and suppliment) and know about most of the pro's and cons about what ever you decide to add in the future, saves alot of money for just a little time spent looking stuff up.....

03/14/2010, 03:36 PM	#5
Jake007 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 273	I just added about 55lbs of Carib Sea Fuji Pink (med grain size) four days ago when I upgraded tanks. I too still have visable sand in the water column. Eventually I think it will settle down or filter out in the filter sock. I forgot how long it takes to settle down but I also can't wait until it is crystal clear.

03/14/2010, 05:45 PM	#6
Saltcity Moved On Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 4,297	Yeah, I usually have a little cloudy water for a day but This sand is like pouder and it just stays suspended in the water... Gonna be a long time before I have no dust storm. On a side note, it should be really enjoyable for my Nassarius snails slidin around on silky smooth sand!

03/14/2010, 08:40 PM	#11
sowellj Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: greenwood, sc Posts: 712	There are quite a few people who have had this issue w/the marco sand. It should bet better, but I think folks who were going predominantly SPS and had lots of flow ended up getting rid of it. I wouldn't worry a bit about it collecting on your rocks, it won't affect them. No reason to use the damsels either. There are more effective, and less cruel, ways to cycle a tank.

03/14/2010, 09:06 PM	#12
mboos Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Poconos Posts: 56	Re: Any tricks to help with the storm? I don't know anything about Marco sand, but I just wanted to throw my two cents in about your cycling process. There are plenty of other ways to cycle your tank, there's no need to "sacrifice" damsels. This hobby takes enough slack for it's destruction of the reefs that we should be using more humane practices when available! __________________ We don't inherit the earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children. ~ David Brower

03/14/2010, 09:18 PM	#13
jnbrex Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 60	Put in a few filter socks. Dont let the dust just settle to the bottom, that is only a temporary solution and the sand will be re-stirred up every time a fish darts across the sand or anything disturbs it.

03/15/2010, 06:31 AM	#16
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	What kinds of pumps and how much flow? if you are going for high flow I think this is the number one reason why people end up going barebottom or using a larger grain sand. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

03/15/2010, 07:16 AM	#17
silverfly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: england Posts: 579	it'll settle i reckon. You'll lose the dust, i had the same problem __________________ Take care, Richie Current Tank Info: 180 gallon

03/15/2010, 10:07 AM	#20
Saltcity Moved On Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 4,297	No rocks in it yet... BUT, I really don't think that will change anything. I'm running it through some socks right now and hopefully I can collect all the Super fine dust and help with it. Here's how touchy it is.. I ran my Magfloat down towards the bottom Very slowly and it looked like a wind tunnel test with a smoke trail behind it. I think time and Bacteria are the only help right now.. And YES, I have spent alot of time researching and I still screw up here and there!! Thanks Titus!!

03/15/2010, 10:43 AM	#21
maynardjames Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: west tennessee Posts: 1,600	maybe just try a small amount of larger grain sand on top to help hold fine down. shouldn`t take much to hold fine down __________________ if your 555 Current Tank Info: 120 rr dual overflows, solarflare t5 fixture,octo extreme 200,vortech mp40w esx2. brs reactor for carbon, brs reactor for gfo, 40 gal breeder sump

03/15/2010, 04:25 PM	#22
Saltcity Moved On Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 4,297	Well, here's my update: This sand sucks and it's coming out!!! I've spent ALL day sucking the sump out and cleaning it, changed 40 gallons of water and added 150lbs. of rock to the tank and once i turned on the sump pump... Every bit of my water is cloudy/milky and the sump has fine silt in the bottom again. I'm going back to my trusty live rock! Anyone want 200lbs. of beautifully fine sand???

03/18/2010, 07:32 PM	#23
Saltcity Moved On Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 4,297	New UPDATE: Removed the old sand and went back with a 50/50 mix of 60lbs. Caribsea Arago-live Indo Pacific black(salt n pepper) and another 60lbs. of Caribsea dry sand white in color to lighten up the black. Filled it up with water today and cranked on the sump pump....Perfect!! No cloud and is lookin good. Then I decided to give my Hydor wavemaker a try. Again, worked perfect with no sand clouding. Only thing I saw was a few sand granules moving around with the wavemaker. NOW I'm happy!!