Filter Wool

[rabbut]

im using washed play sand from B&Q i have no other substrait apart from a little gravel i left under the sand so as the benifitial bacteria could get into the sand

TBH, there will be minimal bactiria in sand or gravel, unless you use undergravel filters. This sand does need washing realy well prior to use, but is safe to fish. It's a bit late for washing now though. Just let the filter wool do its job, and things will clear themselves.

HTH
rabbut

 

[ibbledibble]

what type of sand are you using for it?
have you got another substrate underneath it? if so what?
what are you using to separate the 2 layers?

im using washed play sand from B&Q i have no other substrait apart from a little gravel i left under the sand so as the benifitial bacteria could get into the sand

BIG MISTAKE! and i speak from experience here having made the same b*lls up myself.

looking at the levels in your tank your substrate is piled quite high,

if you do not put a gravel tidy between the layers the sand will sink and fill the gaps between the gravel.

sand should never be more than 2 cm deep (i think i remember that depth right, somebody correct me otherwise)

if sand is more than this depth (or is mixed with gravel below this depth) it will compact under its own weight and you can end up with anaerobic pockets forming.

play sand is very fine, so is more likely to suffer from this problem than coarser sands

the anaerobic pocket will create a toxic gas (sulphate something i think)

you will need to stir your substrate regularly to prevent this happening, and make sure you don't forget to stir under any ornaments and rocks, etc. Before long you will end up with what looks like just gravel as the sand sinks with stirring, but you will still get anaerobic pockets forming lower down.

like i say, i did this myself so not trying to have a go, just don't want you to have any problems.
If you are determined to have sand, I would suggest using a gravel vacuum to siphon off the sand, remove the gravel layer from underneath and then replace the sand only in a thin layer.

 

[Fwapp]

You could use something like Seachem clarity, which will help clear water very quickly, without the unbalancing effect massive water change can have. (Notice use of the word can ) If the substrate is going to be routinely disturbed, it may be worth getting some.

It works by making all the particles of dust stick together, thus making them bigger, and easier for the filter to remove.

I've used it often on my planted tank, and whilst also using JBL symec micro filter material, I have very clear water.