Just Put Sand And...

[Sheridanp]

Please tell me if it suppose to be like this? I rinsed it crystal clear, and took all my fish out and turned off my heater and filter.

I now have my filter on. I put some Aquasafe in and some other stuff to clear it up. Is this normal?

 

[Torrean]

How did you rinse it? My water cleared completely in a matter of seconds.

 

[Sheridanp]

I rinsed it with tap water. I moved it around with my hand, and I left it running over-flowing over the bucket. The water was clear.

I'm really worried! I just transferred my fish into a different bucket and they were almost falling out and now I have my heater in the bucket and an air pump on.

I'm freaking out!!!!

 

[Torrean]

calm down it'll be allright =). how big is the tank? EDIT: what do you mean they were almost falling out?

 

[Sheridanp]

It's a 29 gallon. And I transferred the fish very stupidly by pouring one bucket into another. Now I know not to be so stupid, hehe.

Tank is still awful. I've set up the heater and air pump in the bucket, and I am putting a big heater in my room.

 

[Torrean]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=131373

This guy says that the sand shouldn't hurt the fish...I don't know personally. I've seen mine sifting through the sand with their gills so I wouldn't think it would hurt them. If you didn't have water in the tank i could advise you no problem... If the cloudyness is bugging you drain the tank and pull out the sand. Put it in a bucket about 1 inch thick and rinse it with a hose stirring the sand vigorously. Then dump out the cloudy water leaving only a little water and the sand that settled immediatly. Repeat this process until the water clears after stirring in around 10 seconds. I did it and it was easy. I wrote about it in that link. I hope this helps.

How did you fill the tank? Did you pour the water into a bowl or plate?

 

[Sheridanp]

Bowl, well bucket.

Well, it's night here right now, and also winter. Can I just do it in my bath tub?

Also, are you saying that I can put my fish in the tank with as cloudy as it is now?? That seems weird.

 

[mandy82]

Don't put the fish in the tank! It'll settle on its own...I suggest taking the filter cartridge out of the filter. That way the sand won't clog it.

 

[Torrean]

yes it does seem wierd and I don't recommend that you do it. But from reading that link I assume it wouldn't harm your fish...When I say bowl I mean did you set a bowl on top of the sand to pour the water into as you filled the tank...about the bathtub thing I have no idea. It may be fine it may be a horrible horrible idea. Sorry I can't help more.

 

[Sheridanp]

Ok, I might try his solution. It should only take an hour. I hope.

 

[Torrean]

best of luck... what are you planning on doing exactly?

 

[Sheridanp]

I am planning on taking the water out, and then taking the sand out. I will put the sand in a bucket, and rinse it out with my bath tap and do what you said. And then put the sand in and re-fill with water.

I still don't know exactly what you mean by the bowl. I did not use one, I just poured the sand in and then the water by buckets.

And also, if I just wait, then my fish will be in a bucket for a few days. That can't be good.

Do you give me the good to go to try this?

 

[Torrean]

how many fish are in the bucket? You may want to wait until tommorrow to see if the water has cleared. When you fill a tank you are supposed to pour water onto a plate and let it overflow onto the sand. This prevents clouding to an extent.

 

[Sheridanp]

Oh, that is interesting. Ok, I have 9 fish in a bucket. It's fairly big. I will wait until tomorrow to see if it has cleared.

 

[Torrean]

good idea. What size and type are the fish btw. If the water hasn't cleared by sometime tommorrow then I'd drain it and refill it with the plate trick.