please help the newbie

[PNWaquarist]

What a fabulous link! I have a 12 gallon I've not know what to do with but I got some great suggestions for combining species from this article.

Thank you.

No problemo

 

[goldfish1212]

So today I couldn't see from one end of the tank to the other long ways because it was so cloudy and gray. I took out all the sand and spent 30 minutes straight rinsing it by agitating it while water ran into the bucket, pouring off the dark gray water, and repeating. 30 minutes, and now my hand and the bucket are stained gray. And the water was still as gray when I began as when I ended. I'm so angry, it is black sand from petco recommended by the "aquarium specialist" who also recommended the crappy heater. I drained the water and turned off the filter, what do I do to clean the sand??? Please help.

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[Fresh2o]

Sorry to hear about the sand. Is that the really fine black sand? I bought some but was not too impressed with it. I found that had a lot of dust associated with it.
You could always remove the sand and use either play sand or pool filter sand (PFS). The play sand will require quite a bit of rinsing initially but is a decent substrate. The PFS should require less rinsing and tends to settle quickly.


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[PB_Smith]

So today I couldn't see from one end of the tank to the other long ways because it was so cloudy and gray. I took out all the sand and spent 30 minutes straight rinsing it by agitating it while water ran into the bucket, pouring off the dark gray water, and repeating. 30 minutes, and now my hand and the bucket are stained gray. And the water was still as gray when I began as when I ended. I'm so angry, it is black sand from petco recommended by the "aquarium specialist" who also recommended the crappy heater. I drained the water and turned off the filter, what do I do to clean the sand??? Please help.

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did you get the actual gravel/sand in the aquarium section or from the reptile section?
I'm using the fine black gravel/sand from the fish section.
I looked at the sand in the reptile section but it looked like it had been dyed, so I didn't get the sand.
I have had absolutely no issues with the stuff I got and it needed no rinsing whatsoever.
I suspect you got sand from the reptile section as their floor plan doesn't make a clear distinction between the two sections of the store.

 

[goldfish1212]

It's definitely the gravel sand from the fish section, the bag has a giant fish on it and it says petco aquarium sand. It's not that fine, and is really more like crushed tiny gravel than sand.

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[goldfish1212]

Ok, so I got new sand and a new heater and set everything up last night. The tank is at 80 degrees now and I put in ammonia from Harris Teter's last night and will check the levels this afternoon. In the meantime I've been reading about fish and plants. How does sone valisneria, anacharis, anubias nanas, and some of those little moss balls sound for plants? I have a 15 watt light. I am also thinking of getting 8 dainty corys (habrosus) and 8 ember tetras. Aqadvisor says that would be a 95% stock and it seems ok from what I've researched. Thoughts?

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[Aliray]

Blue cat that sounds great. Alison

 

[goldfish1212]

Ok, just to post for the record, the tank is cycling well. Still the waiting game but the amonia spiked and dropped and the nitrites spiked and are starting to drop. Yay, added more ammonia and hoping it finishes soon. I will be looking for a bunch of low light plants soon. I also bought some nice cholla wood I'm waiting for. Since the tetras didnt especially appeal to me I've decided to just focus on my favorite fish and get a group of dwarf corys and some Red Cherry Shrimp. A lot of bottom dwellers, but so cute!

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