Filtering out sand fines

ForeverNoob · 03/16/2016, 09:28 AM

Hello all,

After filling my tank, I added sand (I know that probably not a popular order to do things) and now (two days later) I still have significant cloudiness. Is there a filter media fine enough to remove the fine particles of sand from the tank? I know it can take more than just two days to settle out, but I do not see a change after two. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

A couple of notes:
-I am currently running two power heads in the display
-I am not running the water through my sump
-I only have live rock and the aforementioned sand in the tank

billdogg · 03/16/2016, 10:50 AM

What I would do, if you have or can borrow, is stuff a canister filter full of polyester pillow stuffing (same as filter floss but 1/100th the cost) and let it run for a few days. An even better choice would be a Diatom Filter (Vortex XL or similar) but those seem to be a rarity these days.

ForeverNoob · 03/16/2016, 11:13 AM

I am not terribly familiar with how canister filters work. My sump is similar to this one

Would it be comparable to put that same material in the place of the bioballs in that picture? Does the canister filter do something in addition to running water through the media?

sirreal63 · 03/16/2016, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdogg

What I would do, if you have or can borrow, is stuff a canister filter full of polyester pillow stuffing (same as filter floss but 1/100th the cost) and let it run for a few days. An even better choice would be a Diatom Filter (Vortex XL or similar) but those seem to be a rarity these days.

+1
I have done this numerous times. Even a hang on filter with polyester batting works but the canister is faster and has better capacity.

ForeverNoob · 03/16/2016, 07:51 PM

I am not sure I know anyone with an extra canister filter, but I think I have a HOB filter that I could use for a bit.

ca1ore · 03/16/2016, 10:48 PM

You really want to try to remove the fines rather than letting them settle. Just get kicked up again when disturbed

scott11 · 03/16/2016, 11:07 PM

If you have a filter sock, you can affix it to the output of a power head. May take some work (and zip ties) but it's not needed for long. That's what I did when I set up my tank and it was much clearer overnight.

03/16/2016, 09:28 AM	#1
ForeverNoob Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 75	Filtering out sand fines Hello all, After filling my tank, I added sand (I know that probably not a popular order to do things) and now (two days later) I still have significant cloudiness. Is there a filter media fine enough to remove the fine particles of sand from the tank? I know it can take more than just two days to settle out, but I do not see a change after two. Any advice is greatly appreciated! A couple of notes: -I am currently running two power heads in the display -I am not running the water through my sump -I only have live rock and the aforementioned sand in the tank

03/16/2016, 10:50 AM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	What I would do, if you have or can borrow, is stuff a canister filter full of polyester pillow stuffing (same as filter floss but 1/100th the cost) and let it run for a few days. An even better choice would be a Diatom Filter (Vortex XL or similar) but those seem to be a rarity these days. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

03/16/2016, 10:48 PM	#6
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	You really want to try to remove the fines rather than letting them settle. Just get kicked up again when disturbed __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

03/16/2016, 11:13 AM	#3
ForeverNoob Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 75	I am not terribly familiar with how canister filters work. My sump is similar to this one Would it be comparable to put that same material in the place of the bioballs in that picture? Does the canister filter do something in addition to running water through the media?

03/16/2016, 07:51 PM	#5
ForeverNoob Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 75	I am not sure I know anyone with an extra canister filter, but I think I have a HOB filter that I could use for a bit.

03/16/2016, 11:07 PM	#7
scott11 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Scottsdale AZ Posts: 1,960	If you have a filter sock, you can affix it to the output of a power head. May take some work (and zip ties) but it's not needed for long. That's what I did when I set up my tank and it was much clearer overnight.