Sand addition and milky water

BigCity · 05/10/2011, 06:14 PM

So had to add a bit more sand after the tank was full, so now I have the wonderful cloud in the tank. How long does it usually take to settle down and are there any tips for helping reduce it quicker. Also getting some nice foam in the sump, really hope that doesn't overflow or I'll be in trouble with the misses.

jong11 · 05/10/2011, 07:44 PM

A day or two. I kept my powerheads on but i dont know what effect that had. I used a funnel with piece of hose on the end to direct the sand to the bottom. This reduced the sandstorm greatly.

thegrun · 05/10/2011, 07:59 PM

A 100 micron sock filter will help but it will go away on its own in a day or two. Did you wash the sand before you used it? Bet you will next time!

Dyzio545 · 05/10/2011, 08:04 PM

While we are on this, I got a question. I use ocean direct caribbean live sand. It says you don't have to wash it before putting it in. I suppose you have to even though it says you don't have to?

thegrun · 05/10/2011, 08:18 PM

I would, but flush it with salt water rather than fresh water. I don't care much for live sand, it usually has more dead organic material in it than live which can set off a new cycle. It's fine if you get it from an established tank, but the stuff in a bag I would avoid.

Mike P · 05/10/2011, 10:23 PM

It depends on how fine the sand is. Some clouds I have seen stand for a week or more. Once the new sand becomes live it will settle a lot faster.

Turn off your powerheads for a day or two and just wait it out.

+1 on the filter sock too. Sometimes they speed up things.

ian09 · 05/10/2011, 11:40 PM

I would leave your tank alone for a day or two and instead of wasting filter socks (because they are so damn pricey!) just use floss (it is way cheaper) and change it daily as it will get gunked up with all the floating particles. your sump will have grains of sand on the bottom which is annoying so place some floss between the baffles as well and change daily. mine cleared up after about two days. and one more thing, it may appear cloudy but it just may be really fine sand particles all over the glass so be sure to wipe the glass as well (the inside of the tank). i actually just used my hands and sort of fanned the glass with some gentle rubbing... the last thing you want to do is scratch your new set up.

BigCity · 05/14/2011, 12:47 PM

Still fighting the cloud, put some filter pads in the overflow and in the baffles in the sump and it's helped quite a bit over the past couple of days. Wiped down the glass this morning so that introduced more particles to the water again. Thinking it's going to be a week+ before it's any where near clear. That Oolite sand is obviously the problem, but what are you going to do. Thought about going to get a small canister filer just to put filter pads in to help polish the water and for any future use I might need it for down the road. Need to get the water cleared so I can get all my base rock back in.

05/10/2011, 06:14 PM	#1
BigCity Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Avon, IN Posts: 206	Sand addition and milky water So had to add a bit more sand after the tank was full, so now I have the wonderful cloud in the tank. How long does it usually take to settle down and are there any tips for helping reduce it quicker. Also getting some nice foam in the sump, really hope that doesn't overflow or I'll be in trouble with the misses.

05/10/2011, 07:44 PM	#2
jong11 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Maine Posts: 396	A day or two. I kept my powerheads on but i dont know what effect that had. I used a funnel with piece of hose on the end to direct the sand to the bottom. This reduced the sandstorm greatly. __________________ 10 gallon nano - par 38 led bulb, 2 hk nano 240gph, 75w jager heater, aquaclear 70 (w/ ac 20 impeller), rkl controller Current Tank Info: 10 gal nano, 40 gal breeder (in progress)

05/10/2011, 08:04 PM	#4
Dyzio545 Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY Posts: 326	While we are on this, I got a question. I use ocean direct caribbean live sand. It says you don't have to wash it before putting it in. I suppose you have to even though it says you don't have to? __________________ Tank thread to come soon "Life is gooood" Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon Mixed Reef

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
cloudy milky water after water change	tarpon12	Reef Discussion	21	01/25/2011 10:38 PM
Milky water...	deuce11705	The Reef Chemistry Forum	5	06/19/2006 11:29 AM
calcium and milky water, need a little help	Fcwham	The Reef Chemistry Forum	3	03/08/2006 06:36 PM
Cloudy/Milky water	JJ70	Reef Discussion	5	03/06/2006 09:58 PM
milky water	mballant	New to the Hobby	1	02/06/2006 09:41 PM

05/10/2011, 07:59 PM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	A 100 micron sock filter will help but it will go away on its own in a day or two. Did you wash the sand before you used it? Bet you will next time!

05/10/2011, 08:18 PM	#5
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I would, but flush it with salt water rather than fresh water. I don't care much for live sand, it usually has more dead organic material in it than live which can set off a new cycle. It's fine if you get it from an established tank, but the stuff in a bag I would avoid.

05/10/2011, 10:23 PM	#6
Mike P Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Berea, OH Posts: 96	It depends on how fine the sand is. Some clouds I have seen stand for a week or more. Once the new sand becomes live it will settle a lot faster. Turn off your powerheads for a day or two and just wait it out. +1 on the filter sock too. Sometimes they speed up things.

05/10/2011, 11:40 PM	#7
ian09 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 382	I would leave your tank alone for a day or two and instead of wasting filter socks (because they are so damn pricey!) just use floss (it is way cheaper) and change it daily as it will get gunked up with all the floating particles. your sump will have grains of sand on the bottom which is annoying so place some floss between the baffles as well and change daily. mine cleared up after about two days. and one more thing, it may appear cloudy but it just may be really fine sand particles all over the glass so be sure to wipe the glass as well (the inside of the tank). i actually just used my hands and sort of fanned the glass with some gentle rubbing... the last thing you want to do is scratch your new set up.

05/14/2011, 12:47 PM	#8
BigCity Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Avon, IN Posts: 206	Still fighting the cloud, put some filter pads in the overflow and in the baffles in the sump and it's helped quite a bit over the past couple of days. Wiped down the glass this morning so that introduced more particles to the water again. Thinking it's going to be a week+ before it's any where near clear. That Oolite sand is obviously the problem, but what are you going to do. Thought about going to get a small canister filer just to put filter pads in to help polish the water and for any future use I might need it for down the road. Need to get the water cleared so I can get all my base rock back in.