How do I clean up this mess?

WhiteTang · 04/25/2014, 01:26 AM

Hi everyone!

I started cycling my 16G Tank two weeks ago with live rock. Unfortunately the live sand I had ordered got caught up in the effin mail system and came just yesterday. The sand is natures ocean sugar fine aragonite which came in a wet plastic bag.
I opened the bag and poured the stuff in knowing it will cause a cloudy effect until it will settle down. I left the powerhead and everything on so it would settle as it should, not causing any "cloud" later if I chose to let it settle without any circulation.
Today morning the tank was much much clearer but not crystal clear. There was a superfine (and I mean SUPER SUPER FINE dust like effect) covering everything. I cleaned the glass with a cloth and as much as I could from any surface except the rock. When I tried taking out the canisters to change the floss the "cloudy" water dripping from it made the tank ****!
How the hell am I supposed to clean that up?
Im in the middle of the cycle, should I do a huge water change? like 90% of the water or just leave everything as is for a couple weeks and let it all settle?
Anyone had a similar problem? Any help is welcome.
Thank you guys.

Reefer54 · 04/25/2014, 02:14 AM

just leave it. if you are cycling, its the best anyway, as it will help introduce the bacteria that was in the bag to the rocks and the bacteria thats on the rocks back down to the sand as it settles, not that it really matters at all anyway.

a filter sock cleaned every day or two if you can will help.

Your tank will be cloudy for quite a few days probably....mine took at least a week to look really clear, and then whenever something bothered the sand....storm. it takes a while, but it will go away.

do not do a large water change right now or run your skimmer if you are cycling.

Next time, try to keep the bag closed until you are at the bottom of the tank instead of pouring it in...helps, isnt perfect, but it helps.

patience.

nice looking tank, really

WhiteTang · 04/25/2014, 02:22 AM

Thanks for the reply @Reefer54

And thank you about your nice comment on my tank! It doesnt look much right now but hopefully, in time, it will look as great as some other tanks I've seen in this forum.

Reefer54 · 04/25/2014, 02:24 AM

with patience, research, time, and repitition, it will

grab couple good books while you are at it....they are worth every penny....and on that giant jungle site . com, you can buy quite a few for as low as a penny. just check the publish date. most after 2000 are great

Every1jockzjay · 04/25/2014, 03:41 AM

I used topfin 30lbs oolite fine sand mixed with 15lbs of a bigger grain... Washed it very well bc i bought dry sand and it was gone in a day. Moral of the story 2 weeks later the sand is awesome and the fine grain doesnt blow at all. I made sure powerhead doesnt directly hit the bottom, and maybe the other 15lbs helps but im lovin this sand and how good it looks and have 0 problems

04/25/2014, 02:14 AM	#2
Reefer54 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Avon Posts: 1,087	just leave it. if you are cycling, its the best anyway, as it will help introduce the bacteria that was in the bag to the rocks and the bacteria thats on the rocks back down to the sand as it settles, not that it really matters at all anyway. a filter sock cleaned every day or two if you can will help. Your tank will be cloudy for quite a few days probably....mine took at least a week to look really clear, and then whenever something bothered the sand....storm. it takes a while, but it will go away. do not do a large water change right now or run your skimmer if you are cycling. Next time, try to keep the bag closed until you are at the bottom of the tank instead of pouring it in...helps, isnt perfect, but it helps. patience. nice looking tank, really __________________ R54 Current Tank Info: 36 x 36 x 25 Cube, mixed reef, A360WE x 3, A350N x 1, 40GB sump, RDSB, Remote LR Cryptic, 2 WP-40's, ummm....

04/25/2014, 02:24 AM	#4
Reefer54 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Avon Posts: 1,087	with patience, research, time, and repitition, it will grab couple good books while you are at it....they are worth every penny....and on that giant jungle site . com, you can buy quite a few for as low as a penny. just check the publish date. most after 2000 are great __________________ R54 Current Tank Info: 36 x 36 x 25 Cube, mixed reef, A360WE x 3, A350N x 1, 40GB sump, RDSB, Remote LR Cryptic, 2 WP-40's, ummm....

04/25/2014, 02:22 AM	#3
WhiteTang Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 435	Thanks for the reply @Reefer54 And thank you about your nice comment on my tank! It doesnt look much right now but hopefully, in time, it will look as great as some other tanks I've seen in this forum.

04/25/2014, 03:41 AM	#5
Every1jockzjay Moved On Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 515	I used topfin 30lbs oolite fine sand mixed with 15lbs of a bigger grain... Washed it very well bc i bought dry sand and it was gone in a day. Moral of the story 2 weeks later the sand is awesome and the fine grain doesnt blow at all. I made sure powerhead doesnt directly hit the bottom, and maybe the other 15lbs helps but im lovin this sand and how good it looks and have 0 problems