Oh Great.. What Now?

[BusyMumof5]

So, as many of you will know - We got a new 4ft tank yesterday
Now, we have a problem.. It's all set up - we added the water, then the sand.. and obviously didn't rinse one lot of sand as much as we should of...
Now - We have merky water.. been waiting 8 hours now for it to 'settle' but I don't think it will...

I'm guessing water changes are the only thing to do now?

 

[walkers101]

yup do a large water change then leave it it should settle then

 

[fluffycabbage]

yep, im afraid so!

 

[BusyMumof5]

yep, im afraid so!

Thanks guys - Too much haste I guess lol

 

[karin]

No matter how much you clean the sand you will get cloudy water for a day or two. Not saying you should not do water change but a little patience often times solves this problem.

 

[stubert]

used sand in my new set up will clear, give it 2 days prob another one to fully clear

 

[the biffster]

if you have a gravel cleaner
you could clean the sand
like you do with gravel that way
you clean and water change at the same time

 

[BusyMumof5]

if you have a gravel cleaner
you could clean the sand
like you do with gravel that way
you clean and water change at the same time

Great idea !

Thanks everyone

 

[BethK]

No matter how much you clean the sand you will get cloudy water for a day or two. Not saying you should not do water change but a little patience often times solves this problem.

I go with this, no need to water change, as you'll just make it worse.

Leave the water/sand to settle for 1-2 days. Once it has, do a 50% water change but when adding the water, place a plate (face up) in the sand and target the water flow to the plate. This will stop the sand up rising again.

 

[holidayinn]

If it stays bad, just syphon all the sand out (or use a net), then rinse using a hosepipe in a bucket/stir..easy!

 

[BusyMumof5]

Thanks, My husband said wait, leave it to settle.. but I am the worst one for patience.. No idea it even exsisted.. lol

Just cleaned the filter out (was covered in some loose sand etc.) and waiting now for it to settle.
Pictures over in the picture section for people who want to see the state of the tank...

 

[BusyMumof5]

Thanks, My husband said wait, leave it to settle.. but I am the worst one for patience.. No idea it even exsisted.. lol

Just cleaned the filter out (was covered in some loose sand etc.) and waiting now for it to settle.
Pictures over in the picture section for people who want to see the state of the tank...

 

[Doc7]

Funny what I did (with a 20 gallon so much smaller, but I only had a 2 gallon bucket so many trips!), was after rinsing and putting the sand in, waited an hour and did a 100% water change, then the next day i stirred up all the sand vigorously with my hand, waited 10 minutes and then did another 100% water change - no more cloudiness! Got rid of all the light stuff that didn't want to stay on the bottom!

 

[karin]

Busy Mum...

One little note, watch out for sand in filters. It is a sure way to ruin the impellor and filter. Anytime messing with the sand, shut down all filters. Cloudy water is okay for filters but if the sand is suspended shut down until the grains settle.

 

[Biddles95]

did you put the sand in after the water ?
surly you should have put the sand in then the water
and put a plate on the sand and not a lot of the sand would have been stirred up :L
just a tip for the future