Major Murky Water

[Tie]

I'm getting my 72Gal tank started. The salinity, temp & Ph are in line so tonight I added the substrate. I used 80lbs of CaribSea Aragonite sand to create a 2 - 2.1/4 inch floor. My tank is BIG TIME murky. The book I'm using for a guide says to fire your filtration and skimmer back up and it will clear up in a day or two.

To me it seems like it would clear up faster if I just turned off all the circulation in the tank and just let it all settle?

PS... I searched through the forums after this post and it looks like everyone adds the sand BEFORE they put water in the tank. Well, my book advised to run the water for 24 hours before adding sand in case there was a problem (tank leak, etc). Still the question remains the same. Circulation on or off till the water clears up?

[Calfire]

You should probly trun off the filters and powerheads. just wait out the stuff to settle it should settle out and as it gets better looking you could turn them back on it might not be chrystal clear . I did the same thing once when i added more sand to mine.




Jason

[Poseidon]

With sand DEFINATELY let it settle by itself, nothing kills pumps quicker then floating sand...

After a day or so you may want to add a Sponge or filter floss of some kind to clear things up, if they are still cloudy. I used the Aqua Clear "quick Filters" with great success.

[Tie]

Tx for the replies... I posted late last night and decided to follow the books advice and let it all run. (might be in the market for a new pump soon) This afternoon it's cleared up a ton. My PH went from 8.2 to 8.0 so I'll add some stuff and try and get that back on track.

[Reefland]

I would let everything run, otherwise it will all settle and when you do turn everything on, it will get stirred up again. As for the ph, don't add anything yet. Let the tank start to settle, get either your liverock in our some dead shrimp to start the cycle and monitor it before adding anything from 1 test result.

[Tie]

Everything I've read says add liver rock "after" your PH is on target. You're saying it wont hurt the LR to add it now with PH @ 8.0?

Yes, I'm a newb and all I know is what I'm reading so bare with me.

I would let everything run, otherwise it will all settle and when you do turn everything on, it will get stirred up again. As for the ph, don't add anything yet. Let the tank start to settle, get either your liverock in our some dead shrimp to start the cycle and monitor it before adding anything from 1 test result.

[Poseidon]

Yup let it run... Don't start adding any chemistry yet. It takes a good day sometimes 2 for the saltwater you just mixed from a bag to get stabilized. During that time the pH can fluctuate quite a bit. Remember this when it is time to do a water change!!! Always mix your water at least 24 hours ahead of time!!

[Reefland]

Everything I've read says add liver rock "after" your PH is on target. You're saying it wont hurt the LR to add it now with PH @ 8.0?

Yes, I'm a newb and all I know is what I'm reading so bare with me.

That's right, the liverock is what will get the cycle started and get things going. During the time of the cycle, I would not add anything to the water to help with chemistry imperfections except for calcium and alkalinity supplements; kalk, a reactor or a 2 part additive.