Kolorscape sand problems

2NDTIME AROUND · 11/27/2006, 07:02 AM

On Wednesday I put 1 bag of Kolorscape sand in the tank, placed a garbage bag over it, and filled the tank with ro/di water mixed with salt. After the tank and sump were filled, I turned on the skimmer and the return pump. The skillmer removed some waste from the water. The tank was a little cloudy, but I thought that would pass. I noticed some very fine particals being discharged from my return outlets that I thought were micro bubbles. I adjusted the water level in the sump, added filter media to the sump and even adjusted the length of the return tubes in the sump. I still had a visable discharge from the return outlets.I cut off the skimmer and and the sump and let the tank sit about 16 hours. The tank is still cloudy and there is a film on the top of the water in the tank.
I did not wash the kolorscape before putting it in the tank. The kolorscape is very fine, and was packaged damp.
All I know to do is drain and rinse the tank, get out the ro/di filter, and go get another bucket of salt, and start over.
Any thoughts or suggestions? I'm about ready to start a guppy farm in the 120.

ACBlinky · 11/27/2006, 09:14 AM

I don't think it's necessary to drain the tank and waste all that salt. Try adding a filter sock, or buy/borrow a diatom filter -- my Vortex clears a cloudy tank in minutes, they're fantastic for situations like yours. Keep the tank running as usual and let the cycle begin -- the dust will settle out with time and a growing bacterial population usually helps clear sandstorms as well.

11/27/2006, 07:02 AM	#1
2NDTIME AROUND Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: HOMOSASSA FL. Posts: 97	Kolorscape sand problems On Wednesday I put 1 bag of Kolorscape sand in the tank, placed a garbage bag over it, and filled the tank with ro/di water mixed with salt. After the tank and sump were filled, I turned on the skimmer and the return pump. The skillmer removed some waste from the water. The tank was a little cloudy, but I thought that would pass. I noticed some very fine particals being discharged from my return outlets that I thought were micro bubbles. I adjusted the water level in the sump, added filter media to the sump and even adjusted the length of the return tubes in the sump. I still had a visable discharge from the return outlets.I cut off the skimmer and and the sump and let the tank sit about 16 hours. The tank is still cloudy and there is a film on the top of the water in the tank. I did not wash the kolorscape before putting it in the tank. The kolorscape is very fine, and was packaged damp. All I know to do is drain and rinse the tank, get out the ro/di filter, and go get another bucket of salt, and start over. Any thoughts or suggestions? I'm about ready to start a guppy farm in the 120. __________________ Just another rocky shoal your ship must navigate on the sea of life. Current Tank Info: 120 galon drilled tank with 30 gal sum, refgium, nautilus te skimmer driven by mag7, mag12 return pump. 260 watts pc lighting

11/27/2006, 09:14 AM	#2
ACBlinky Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peterborough, ON, Canada Posts: 4,954 Blog Entries: 20	I don't think it's necessary to drain the tank and waste all that salt. Try adding a filter sock, or buy/borrow a diatom filter -- my Vortex clears a cloudy tank in minutes, they're fantastic for situations like yours. Keep the tank running as usual and let the cycle begin -- the dust will settle out with time and a growing bacterial population usually helps clear sandstorms as well. __________________ "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, 30g sump/refugium, LED lighting, 100lbs LR, coral beauty, flame angel, blue & yellow tangs, gobies, damsels, 6-line wrasse, lawnmower blenny, dottyback, clown pair, rabbitfish, shrimp, crabs, CUC.