Sand Made Water Murky

[CameronN]

I switched from a nasty looking gravel to "aquarium" sand I got at Petco. However, this made my water extremely murky. I did pre-rinse the sand, but not as well as I should have (opened the bag and put it in the shower). Anyways, my water is extremely murky now, and to make things worse my power filter died on me (I believe it sucked up sand). Now I'm stuck trying to clear the water by changing it and such but every time I disturb it my water gets worse. My tiger barbs are stuck in a 2.5 gallon tank currently and I don't want to leave them in there for much longer. Any help is appreciated.

 

[fluttermoth]

I'm afraid all you can really do is take it out and rewash it; sorry about that! Have you not got a larger bucket or storage container you can use for the fish?

 

[CameronN]

I'm afraid all you can really do is take it out and rewash it; sorry about that! Have you not got a larger bucket or storage container you can use for the fish?

Thanks. I have a 5 gallon, which I will set up in a second. Any tips on how to properly wash it?

 

[fluttermoth]

Stir in up a bucket under running water, and pour everything off the top. If you use a pale coloured bucket, or an ice cream container (depending on the size of your tank), you'll see that the 'good' sand sinks, while the 'bad' stuff swirls around in clouds. Keep pouring that away; even if you lose some of the good sand with it.

When you think it's done, give it a really good stir and see if all the sand settles within a couple of seconds; if it doesn't, keep going!

It's not a nice job; I've just this minute sat down after changing another of my tanks to sand, and it took about an hour to wash 25kgs.

If you strip your filter down and clean put the impeller chamber, you might be lucky and find it starts again.

 

[CameronN]

Stir in up a bucket under running water, and pour everything off the top. If you use a pale coloured bucket, or an ice cream container (depending on the size of your tank), you'll see that the 'good' sand sinks, while the 'bad' stuff swirls around in clouds. Keep pouring that away; even if you lose some of the good sand with it.

When you think it's done, give it a really good stir and see if all the sand settles within a couple of seconds; if it doesn't, keep going!

It's not a nice job; I've just this minute sat down after changing another of my tanks to sand, and it took about an hour to wash 25kgs.

If you strip your filter down and clean put the impeller chamber, you might be lucky and find it starts again.

I've gotten all the bad floating sand out, and now my water is less murky, but more "milky". I'm going to try to get that filter to work, but I have a backup internal one (big enough for my tank, but it sucks).

Is there a way to get rid of the milkiness? Or will it go away in time? Also, is it safe to put my fish back in yet(with proper chemical levels and some of the old water)?

 

[balajake]

filter floss in your filter is great for clearing murky water.

 

[CameronN]

filter floss in your filter is great for clearing murky water.

I don't know what that is. This is kind of an emergency situation so I can't really go out and get some (Petco is ~30 miles away).

 

[steve1]

it will be fine it's only merky water off the sand mines exactly the same, i just changed too sand aswell it will clear over a few days

 

[balajake]

filter floss in your filter is great for clearing murky water.

I don't know what that is. This is kind of an emergency situation so I can't really go out and get some (Petco is ~30 miles away).

its white filter wool


http/www.petco.com/product/5294/Loving-Pets-Filter-Fiber.aspx


don't worry the sand wont harm your fish

 

[CameronN]

filter floss in your filter is great for clearing murky water.

I don't know what that is. This is kind of an emergency situation so I can't really go out and get some (Petco is ~30 miles away).

its white filter wool


http/www.petco.com/product/5294/Loving-Pets-Filter-Fiber.aspx


don't worry the sand wont harm your fish

Thanks everyone.

 

[scvrs]

Mine is the same if I top up the sand or replace it. It clears after about 48 hours. I added some extra sand on Sunday and today my tank is crystal clear. Yesterday is was still a little milky. Dont panic

 

[FarmboyUK]

Do a big water change. Maybe twice.

The tank will rest and clear over the next few days, it wont harm your fish as said above.

I made the stupid mistake of filling my tank with unwashed aquarium sand, didn;t take long to clear up. Just keep water changing!