launched the 20 gallon fowlr

[hc8719]

launched my fowlr tank today, got the 20 gallon going with 10-12 lbs of crushed coral, and 7 lbs of base rock.

and **** the crushed coral instructions "briefly rinse" turned into 20 gallons of excessively cloudy water.

i had the python pumping water in and the gravel vac pumping water out at the same time in order to elimate the coudiness, with no prevail. i have the penguin 330 going to town, in an attempt to get rid of the coudiness.

im thinking about getting an oclowns (i know they arent great friendly fish, but do they mind being together if their not mated). and a lawn mower blenny or a watchman goby

pet supplies plus is selling damsels, 3 for $11 so there a possiblity, but i hear their aggressive. any opinions?

EDIT: i found this article, but im thinking this is only for freshly dead LR and wouldnt apply to my base rock?

[DragonForce]

I think a pair of clownfish would do nice in a system that size

[melosu58]

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/articl...q=2&fldAuto=15

[hc8719]

i was hoping to do that tonight melosu, but as it would turn out, even after changing another 40 gallons of water, and individually rinsing off clumps of coral, i still cant clear up the water. and with the current from the penguin 330, it wont settle.

heres the plan, because regular filter media is too porous to capture this "dust" i stuffed it full of thick washclothes, i'll let you know how this works

[melosu58]

It will settle down in a day or two. Mine was the same way . It took two days for mine

[FloridaNewbie]

Originally Posted by hc8719

and darn the crushed coral instructions "briefly rinse" turned into 20 gallons of excessively cloudy water.

i dunno much about the Coral, but i remember even the bag was DUSTY at the store. Maybe you should try to rinse it again if it doesn't settle soon.

Just my 2 cents.

Also the 2 clowns are a cool idea, i am new and thinking the same way, maybe a watchman goby.

[roka64]

I would ditch the UGF and CC. I started mine w/CC and ended up removing it, in about two months. It was hard to keep clean and limited me on a clean up crew and sand stirrers.

[Devilishturtles]

Patience is a virture, my friend.

The cloudiness is completely normal. It will go away in a day or two. CC can cause issues, I agree. It will limit your livestock selection and vaccuming of the sandbed will ne neccesary, so you know. Since this will be a fowlr tank, the nitrates that may build up won't as big of an issue.

[hc8719]

i figured the cloudiness was normal, i just didnt want it to happen everytime i stirred up the tank with the gravel vac.

i wish someone had told me crushed coral was bad, knowing me i'll take it all out in a month. could you guys be more specific on what i inverts/fish shouldnt be in a CC tank

ohh and roka, i dont have a UGF going, the penguin 330 is a HOB, sorry for the confusion

and i did my first specific gravity test: 1.022 (the good area)

im going to use some crab legs to jumpstart the tank on the fishless cycle

and off topic, are clowns really a type of damsel?

[roka64]

Any kind of soft bellied critters might have problems, some snails, possibly stars, sand sifting gobies, conchs and I am sure there are others. Clowns are damsels.