Substrate Idiot! Help!

[tomstanks]

I recently put carbi-sea reef substrate into a new 275 set up. I normally would have rinsed it. However, I have had an exhausting week and wasn't thinking. The "empty" bags said some minor rinsing may be required. I did not rinse. Now I have "muddy" water. Will this settle out or am I in trouble? I really hate to have to drain the water and make more....expensive during a set up. Any ideas?

Feel free to point and laugh at me...I can't believe I did not rinse. Hard, long week....just wasn't thinking.

 

[SkiFletch]

No big deal. Caribsea aragonite sand is pretty clean when it gets to you. What you're seeing is floating calcium carbonate. Give it a few hours and it should settle. By this time tomorrow the water should be nearly crystal clear

 

[Mr Miagi]

JK, LOL! What Ski said. Let it settle. If it isnt removed via a skimmer/LR, you could always vac it out if it is fine particles.

 

[Eversurf]

It did the same thing for me. It took two days to clear completly out, but after a few hour it was definitly clearer.

Have Fun!!!

 

[Lynden]

275 gallons?!! That's awesome.

-Lynden

 

[tomstanks]

275 gallons?!! That's awesome.

-Lynden

It will be. I have 3: 150's reef
155 FO
275 Reef in progress
235 fresh.
75 FO
2 125 Fresh
Many other smaller ones from 29-75 gallons.

Are these all in my house? No. They belong to some of my clients as well. I just care for them all.

 

[Marcos]

Hi, I'm looking at setting up a marine tank soon (I've had tropical tanks a few years) Is sand you would use in a tropical setup suitable for marine?

 

[Mr.September15]

Hi, I'm looking at setting up a marine tank soon (I've had tropical tanks a few years) Is sand you would use in a tropical setup suitable for marine?

I wouldn't see why not but I dont think that type of sand has the PH buffers needed for a marine tank. Most LFS sell Live Sand or Arog. Sand which is better because it has the bacteria needed for the nitrate cycle. Also Live Rock does most of your cycling for you.

 

[Marcos]

Thanks. I've had tropical tanks a few years and looking to set up my first marine tank but fully stocking it with live rock may not be financially possible so i was told plenty of biological filtration would work?
If live rock is placed with dead porous rock will the live bacteria spread to the dead rock?

 

[Mr.September15]

Thanks. I've had tropical tanks a few years and looking to set up my first marine tank but fully stocking it with live rock may not be financially possible so i was told plenty of biological filtration would work?
If live rock is placed with dead porous rock will the live bacteria spread to the dead rock?

It takes time but yes. If you add L.R and Base Rock in the same tank the bacteria on the L.R will seed the base rock

EDIT: I read over you question again but are you talking about Base Rock or a random rock from your FW tank? I heard that Lava Rock will work well in a marine tank.

 

[Marcos]

No, base rock. Thanks for the help.

 

[Mr.September15]

No, base rock. Thanks for the help.

No Problemo.

 

[SkiFletch]

Yeah, base rock will seed from regular LR but remember to rinse it well and stock SLOWLY

 

[tomstanks]

Yeah, base rock will seed from regular LR but remember to rinse it well and stock SLOWLY

Lava rock does work...I don't like it, but the 155 client I have uses it.

On a happier note:
In the 275:
The mud has settled and now all I have is the milk/cloudy water and I cranked the skimmer up after depositing 250 pounds of live rock. It is clearing up pretty well. I figure a few days and perhaps a partial and I'm good.

 

[SkiFletch]

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