Cloudy <sigh>

[oceanbug]

So, I've changed the substrate to sand. It looks great, but my water's not as clear as it was before. Before putting in the sand, I rinsed and rinsed and rinsed... apparently it wasn't enough.

After I added the water, it was still very cloudy. The "dust" settled some, but it's still not as clear as it was before. I think there may be too much of a current to let it settle entirely.

I have an AquaClear power filter right now. Do you think it would be helpful for me to get a diatom filter to get the water nice and clear again? Maybe one of the Vortex models?

Thanks for any advice.

[Chrona]

How are your ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels? It may be a bacterial bloom from the substrate change instead of just debris.

Diatom filters will work great. Whether or not the expense is worth it is up to you though.

[sergo]

it may take some time before it completly clears, especially if you hadn't have real good filtration. exactly how long has it been.

[Lady Hobbs]

Mine cleared in hours. I also suspect a set back in your cycling.

[oceanbug]

Nitrates are at 20ppm, nitrites are at 0.5ppm... I added Bio-Spira on Saturday evening, after putting the sand in.

It was clearer this morning, but I had to move some sand and plants around, which stirred it up.

So, while I realize it would eventually settle... everytime I move anything, it's just going to get stirred up. I'd rather have this "dust" removed entirely. So if a Vortex filter will do the trick, then I'll pony up the cash. If not... what's another polisher/filter that you folks think would work?

Thanks

[xoolooxunny]

when I put sand in, i rinsed and rinsed and rinsed as well. And I too, got really cloudy water with some settling, but not all. I figured that it wasn't cleaned enough, so i did several water changes every day until it was cleared up. It took awhile.

What kind of sand did you use?

[TehTANK]

I have a question...

What type of sand should be used and where can you get it. I was told you can use play sand from a hardware store if you wanted?

Also I am curious to know if Oscars can live with a sand substrate?

Also, if you already have a rock substrate, what would you have to do to change it to sand if you wanted to?

How do you clean a sand substrate without disrupting the sand every time?

Thanks!

[cocoa_pleco]

just let the dust settle. On my salt tank, the crushed shell substrate is very dusty and loose. When i add extra substrate, no matter how much i wash it before hand, the water gets absolutely grey. After 6 hours, it gets clear

[xoolooxunny]

I have a question...

What type of sand should be used and where can you get it. I was told you can use play sand from a hardware store if you wanted?

Also I am curious to know if Oscars can live with a sand substrate?

Also, if you already have a rock substrate, what would you have to do to change it to sand if you wanted to?

How do you clean a sand substrate without disrupting the sand every time?

Thanks!

I wouldn't recommend going from rock substrate to sand, especially if you have an oscar, as I hear they are mess-makers in need of high filtration. This being said, it is almost impossible to not disturb the sand when cleaning, and my guess is that you have to do it a lot with oscars. I only have sand in my 10 gallon with some red cobra guppies, so the mess in minimal, and i just take up a very small amount of sand to clean off the top when i do a water change. with the amount of sand i take out, I'll barely ever have to add any sand.

So I guess my question now is, how do people clean their sand in a larger tank with larger fish, if they use it for substrate?

[Lady Hobbs]

You also want to make sure your uplift tubes are elevated over the sand about 3 inchs and not too close to the bottom of the tank.

[ThrghbrdJmpr]

The sand you can use can be found at Home Depot. It's with the other playysand in a red and blue bag. It is marked not for aquarium used, but this is simply because the manufacturer also makes aquarium sand and charges much more. It is simply crushed argonite sand. I used it in my saltwater tanks for years with no trouble. It's about $5.99 for a 50lb bag.