New tank, cycling..cloudy water

[Canuck007]

Hi

Setting up my first reef tank, a 90 gallon. I didn't have a container to mix saltwater so I just decided to mix it in the tank, filled about 70%, accounting for displacement from rock and sand.

Then I added the sand. I also added a few big scoops of live sand on top of that. Probably didn't need to but it's done.

Anyway the water is of course very cloudy and it's on day 3.

Should I fill to the top with water and start running the sump or add the live rock and then run the sump to reduce the cloudiness? Right now just a few powerheads in the main tank.

Should I wait to add the live rock or add it now so I don't start a second cycle later? Can't really place properly as it's cloudy

Thanks for your help!

[fijisrfr]

Defiantly start the pumps, should clear up in a couple of days. I would also add the rock, this will help get the water level set.

[Canuck007]

Thanks for the advice! I will put in the live rock and get the sump running. Hopefully everything clears up in a day or two. I can always re-configure the live rock later on.

[maddmaxx]

Originally Posted by fijisrfr

defiantly start the pumps, should clear up in a couple of days. I would also add the rock, this will help get the water level set.

+1

[Kyle918]

I don't mean to hijack a thread so excuse me if I do, but I mixed salt water in my 75 gallon a week ago this Sunday coming and it is still cloudy. I have not added sand or rock yet. I have my return pump and two powerheads running since I added the salt. The salinity is right at 1.026 with the temperature at 79F - 79.7F. I also used RO/DI water.

Did yours clear up on it's own? I know this isn't bacteria as it is white and has been this way since adding the salt originally. It has cleared up marginally, but not dramatically as I would expect for almost a weeks time.

[VampOfVegas]

Sump + a filter sock (not the nylon bag type, but the cotton looking one).. should clear up in a few hours.

Did you happen to wash the sand before you put it in the tank, it could just be all the crud like dust particles less dense than sand that floats. So the only way to get rid of it, is to filter it out.

[Kyle918]

Originally Posted by VampOfVegas

Sump + a filter sock (not the nylon bag type, but the cotton looking one).. should clear up in a few hours.

Did you happen to wash the sand before you put it in the tank, it could just be all the crud like dust particles less dense than sand that floats. So the only way to get rid of it, is to filter it out.

I haven't added sand or rock yet. I have only mixed the salt in the tank.

[VampOfVegas]

Wouldn't hurt to get stuff moving. Maybe the tank wasn't clean enough?

[Dozer1one]

Lol I did this years ago in my first saltwater tank same results cloudy water, it'll clear up

[Kyle918]

Thanks for the reassurance. I am going out today to buy some more dry rock and plan to place the rock in the tank today or tomorrow. The sand should arrive monday.