Preventing sandstorms when filling tank?

BrianR · 09/04/2006, 05:01 PM

I read long ago that you could put a trash bag on top of your sand bed, then add the water to the tank. This would greatly help to prevent stirring the sand up.

There were some gotchas to this though, as to what kind of trash bag was "reef safe".

Anyone know or have other suggestions before I fill my tank?

itz frank · 09/04/2006, 05:11 PM

If you're sand came in bags then place the sand, still in the bags, at the bottom of your tank. Fill with water. Then open the bags and slowly slide them out. Another method would be to add the sand and liverock and pour the water onto the liverock instead of directly into the sand bed. And i've never heard of the trashbag method, but that would probably work well, too. I'd imagine all trashbags are reefsafe since they're typically made of plastic. -Frank.

ducati1212 · 09/04/2006, 05:32 PM

I was all worried about a sandstorm when I filled my tank 3 weeks ago. I put water in first then 2 days later 40 lbs of sand. (and I forgot to rinse it so it was dusty) Sandstorm lasted about 10 hours then crystal clear. It kicked up again a touch when I put my live rock in but now it is so settled I can mix it around and no sand storm. So I wouldn't get crazy trying to prevent one..

chrisstankevitz · 09/04/2006, 06:19 PM

You'll find that "sandstorms" are frequent. After every water change, you will have cloudy water. It scared me at first, but I know now that it's not a big deal. It clears up quickly.

jmac4978 · 09/04/2006, 06:40 PM

trash bag worked like a charm for me. I dont think theres any reason it wouldnt be reef safe.

BrianR · 09/05/2006, 07:59 AM

For some reason, I was thinking there were lots of chemicals that you did not really want to introduce into the tank from the trash bags.

Maybe I am just thinking of scented ones? Long as they are just plain bags, they are OK.

Thanks,

Brian

divecj5 · 09/05/2006, 08:20 AM

When i filled my tank with sand, I added all the sand in first. I think placed a large bowl (pyrex,etc) on top of the sand and slowly poured the water into the bowl and just let it gently flow over the sides and into the tank. It prevented a major sandstorm but like the others have said and I agree, sandstorms will happen basically until there is enough bacteria and stuff on the sand to keep it down.

Adam

RBomm · 09/05/2006, 09:24 AM

There is always going to be a sandstorm but you can limit it to a few hours if you rinse the sand prior to adding it to the tank.

chuckh · 09/05/2006, 09:30 AM

trash bag worked for me as well. it made the tank look like i just did water change. an hr or so later and it was clear

Ti · 09/05/2006, 10:20 AM

I just used my skimmer to clear it up

09/04/2006, 05:01 PM	#1
BrianR Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Van Buren, Arkansas Posts: 46	Preventing sandstorms when filling tank? I read long ago that you could put a trash bag on top of your sand bed, then add the water to the tank. This would greatly help to prevent stirring the sand up. There were some gotchas to this though, as to what kind of trash bag was "reef safe". Anyone know or have other suggestions before I fill my tank?

09/04/2006, 06:40 PM	#5
jmac4978 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 117	trash bag worked like a charm for me. I dont think theres any reason it wouldnt be reef safe. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 55G FOWLR; 10G Mixed; 5.5G Nano

09/05/2006, 08:20 AM	#7
divecj5 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 709	When i filled my tank with sand, I added all the sand in first. I think placed a large bowl (pyrex,etc) on top of the sand and slowly poured the water into the bowl and just let it gently flow over the sides and into the tank. It prevented a major sandstorm but like the others have said and I agree, sandstorms will happen basically until there is enough bacteria and stuff on the sand to keep it down. Adam __________________ "I spent 90% of my money on women and drink. The rest I wasted" - George Best Current Tank Info: 20H, Vortech MP20, Aquatinics TX5, SPS Only Tank

09/05/2006, 09:24 AM	#8
RBomm Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 59	There is always going to be a sandstorm but you can limit it to a few hours if you rinse the sand prior to adding it to the tank. __________________ 175 gal BF; FOWLR 200lbs live rock AGA sump MTC 250 in sump skimmer. Blueline 40 HDX return pump 1000 gal/hour (2) 36" Nova Extreme T5 (300 watts)

09/05/2006, 10:20 AM	#10
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	I just used my skimmer to clear it up __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.

09/04/2006, 05:11 PM	#2
itz frank Gives Bad Advice. Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL Posts: 2,168	If you're sand came in bags then place the sand, still in the bags, at the bottom of your tank. Fill with water. Then open the bags and slowly slide them out. Another method would be to add the sand and liverock and pour the water onto the liverock instead of directly into the sand bed. And i've never heard of the trashbag method, but that would probably work well, too. I'd imagine all trashbags are reefsafe since they're typically made of plastic. -Frank.

09/04/2006, 05:32 PM	#3
ducati1212 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Mass Posts: 604	I was all worried about a sandstorm when I filled my tank 3 weeks ago. I put water in first then 2 days later 40 lbs of sand. (and I forgot to rinse it so it was dusty) Sandstorm lasted about 10 hours then crystal clear. It kicked up again a touch when I put my live rock in but now it is so settled I can mix it around and no sand storm. So I wouldn't get crazy trying to prevent one..

09/04/2006, 06:19 PM	#4
chrisstankevitz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Santa Barbara, CA, USA Posts: 118	You'll find that "sandstorms" are frequent. After every water change, you will have cloudy water. It scared me at first, but I know now that it's not a big deal. It clears up quickly.

09/05/2006, 07:59 AM	#6
BrianR Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Van Buren, Arkansas Posts: 46	For some reason, I was thinking there were lots of chemicals that you did not really want to introduce into the tank from the trash bags. Maybe I am just thinking of scented ones? Long as they are just plain bags, they are OK. Thanks, Brian

09/05/2006, 09:30 AM	#9
chuckh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Erie, PA Posts: 286	trash bag worked for me as well. it made the tank look like i just did water change. an hr or so later and it was clear