Cloudy water in new tank

[ReefStar]

I am setting up a new tank and my water is cloudy. First I added Southdown sand. There was no water in the tank. I simply added it to the bottom. I then added RO water for 3 days to fill the tank. it was crystal clear during this time, as the sand did not get disturbed. 3 Days ago, I started adding salt. After I started adding the salt, the water got cloudy. Can anyone explain to me why the water is cloudy? there is no rock in the tank, and no lights on yet. Just a sand bed, added RO water, then salt, then cloudiness.

Any ideas?

 

[Joe DeSantis]

Brand new set-up....give it time. Southdown is super fine stuff.

 

[Anonymous]

did you wash the sand before you put it in there.Also did you mix the salt with the water before you put it in the tank.Why are you not using your lights.I mix my saly and waster in a 10 gal tub before I add.Give use some specs on your tank.This is mine after about 10 mnths.

www.robreneasreef.com

 

[LLLosingit]

When I mix my salt for water changes its usually cloudy for the first 24hrs or so.
You might try to adding an airstone and heaters, that should help it clear up if it is due to the new salt.
I have a 125 that I put 400lbs SD into and but I mixed the Salt/water first my tank was clear in a little over a day.

 

[Jrsydevi1]

Are you saying you add the water first THEN the salt? If so, how do you mix the salt in without stirring up the sand?

 

[danmhippo]

Give it time, if the water is still cloudy after 2 weeks, then something is not right.

 

[danmhippo]

3 weeks since you are using Southdown.

 

[Anonymous]

The way I am reading it is they are adding water then salt.Wrong.Is this true.If so STOP.Let us know.

 

[Anonymous]

If this is a new system, then there is no reason to waste money lighting it. And it makes no difference whether the salt is mixed somewhere else or in situ (as long as ALL the salt is mixed in) for this first filling.

I do notice, however, that our original poster hasn't come back, so I'm guessing s/he's got no more troubles with the cloudiness.

 

[ReefStar]

I still do have the problem. Just a clarification. This is a new setup. I added the sand first, then slowly added RO water over a 3 day period. Once the tank filled, I turned on the return pump. Tank is a 180gl with a 125 sump. I then added salt. That is one the cloudiness started. I have since stirred up the sand in the tank, rally causing severe cloudiness. There is not rock or anything else in the tank. Should I use a filter to clear the water, or just wait it out. I am not in a hurry. I read that supposedly the sand bed got saturated with freshwater, thus I decided to stir it up, since nothing was in the tank. So, should I wait or attach a filter to help clear the water?

 

[ReefStar]

I still do have the problem. Just a clarification. This is a new setup. I added the sand first, then slowly added RO water over a 3 day period. Once the tank filled, I turned on the return pump. Tank is a 180gl with a 125 sump. I then added salt. That is one the cloudiness started. I have since stirred up the sand in the tank, rally causing severe cloudiness. There is not rock or anything else in the tank. Should I use a filter to clear the water, or just wait it out. I am not in a hurry. I read that supposedly the sand bed got saturated with freshwater, thus I decided to stir it up, since nothing was in the tank. So, should I wait or attach a filter to help clear the water?

 

[Anonymous]

You should get in a habit of mixing your salt with water before you put in tank.This also goes for when doing water changes

 

[AngelMaster]

Where'd you get the salt from? Id leave the tank alone for a week and see if it settles down, a filter will help for sure and wouldn't hurt, so if you have one might want to get it going to expedite the process.

 

[Robin Goodfellow]

hi.
For my last tank I that setup, I added ~90 gal of RO/DI first, then added about two bags of salt (it took about a day for the saltwater to clear, ...one of the the salt was opened for about two years, so that it was a big clump...) , and finally 3 bags of sand (~150lb). The water was cloudy for about 4 days, and it get really clear after about 10 days. Just make sure you don't stir the sand unless it is absolutely necessary, otherwise, you will be always be 10 days away from getting clear water.

 

[danmhippo]

Yep, stirring that southdown is going to get you a cloudy tank!

Wait it out. It will clear one day, and get the bacteria to colonize on the sand grains will make the day sooner to come. I would drop 2 raw shrimp into the tank and let it rot. Since your tank is cloudy, I would string the shrimp and hang it mid-column, so you don't lose it.

After the bacteria coats the sand grains, even the tiniest particles will settle and your tank will be a pretty as ever. You might have to wipe down the tank wall too, though.