My Constant battle with changing from Gravel to Sand

[TehTANK]

So last night I took down my awesome rock formations that I had and took everything out of the tank. Broke up all the sand and moved it around. I realized it was really packed down so I unpacked by moving it around (Full of water) and then I drained the tank again hoping to get rid of all the little stuff and the murkiness. Then I washed the inside of the tank because it was filthy. Tried to set my rocks back up the way I had them... I couldn't remember so I just set them back up the best I could. Of course it didn't look as good as it did the first time. Then I filled it back up with water and it was still cloudy. I kind of wish I wouldn't of messed with it because it seemed like it was clearer before I did that. I hooked everything back up including my Classic 2217 Eheim and my 110 Aquaclear and my bubble wand. I need to take some pictures to show you. IT is still murky but I have the filters running. I am worried about the little sand particles hurting my filters. I have a pre-filter on both intakes to the filters. I have noticed though it harder for the filters to take in water with those on and I am scared that they will burn out because they are working so hard to draw water. I have done my best to make sure they are running well though. Anyway, that is my story. So right now the tank is up and running. I hope the filters are clearing things up. I unplugged my bubble wand because I was afraid that might be kicking up sand. I will plug that in when I get home tonight to see if there is a difference. Now has anyone experienced the flow of water form a canister filter causing the water to be murky because of the current?

Let me know your guys thoughts…..

[Lady Hobbs]

If you had your filters running before the sand settled, you may have picked some up in the filter. You may need to check the pre-filter if that's the case and make sure it's not covered in sand. I also moved my bubbler up and stick it to the side of the tank as mine kicked up some sand.

You don't want to stir the sand either. Just run something thru it slowly.. Even a table knife will do. Or a spatula or anything can just slide thru it..........not stir it up. You should only have to do this occassionally......like once a month. The tank settles down firm.....like the sand at the beach.

And make very sure your uptake tube is several inches from the sand. Far enough to not be pulling any up.

[TehTANK]

It is just murky. Not really sand so much I would say. I am sure the filters will help clear it up. I did make sure the filters were away from the substrate so it doesn't pick up the sand. I just know the pre-filters are not letting as much water in as it would without it....you know? I do have to move my wand up probably. I have it shut off for right now to see if it helps settle things down. I will remember the knife thing. I will probably use something like that to help release the pockets of air.

[xoolooxunny]

I just keep washing out the filters like once a day, keep the filter material clean and it will be able to clean more water. When I added my fluorite (although THOROUGHLY washed) my murky water got the filter dirty real fast!

[kimmers318]

Some MTS snails will keep that sand stirred up for you also. Curious, and can't remember, but what type of sand did you go with?? I have not had too many problems with my mix of black/white, and I just added about 2 inches more sand to my suvatti tank Sunday and stirred it into the current sand so that I didn't smother the bacteria (plus, I like the white/black effect). The tank clouded up for maybe a couple of hours, nothing serious. The mix doesn't pack down too much as the two colors seem to be of different densities which may help.

[TehTANK]

Well I went with Silica Sand that I got from Home Depot. The problem I believe is that I didn't rinse it well enough. Question may be can you ever rinse it well enough???You know? Anyway, I finally got it to clear up. I had the filters running on it all day yesterday and when I got home from my second job it was pretty clear. Not completely clear but I am sure it will get there. I am going to clean my pre-filters tonight and just make sure that the motors in both my Classic 2217 and my Aquaclear 110 (HOB) are clear and clean. It looks really really great right now. I am going to have to take some pictures tonight if I get a chance and get them up so you guys can tell me what you think.

[Lady Hobbs]

Great. If it still isn't as clear as you'd like, just do a large water change. You're almost there.