Didn't rinse my Southdown well enough.

[omcnair]

I'm lucky. I live in the North East and was able to get Southdown sand. I'm o.k. with the so called risk of leaking chemicals.

My problem is that I may have failed to rinse the sand sufficiently. The sand has been in the tank for three days now and my water is still a little cloudy/milky. Should:

1.) Drain the tank completely and refill it?
2.) Do a partial water change? (Enough to clear up the cloudiness)
3.) Allow the tank to continue to run?
(I have a 25 micron Ocean Clear filter in line but I don't know if that will do the trick).

 

[SW Beginner]

Allow the sand to settle. This can typically take as long as two weeks. Just be patient.

 

[Anemoneman]

Patience grasshopper. This is your initiation.
Seriously, if you have LR to start the cycle, you sand will become coated with bacteria and settle on it's own in several days to a couple weeks. I would have suggested you don't rinse your sand at all to preserve the silt size particles. Don't worry. Don't drain your water. When it finally settles down, use a turkey baster to gently blow the dust off things.

Mark

 

[fishfreek]

I did not rinse my sand at all. It will settle. Dont worry.

 

[Hara]

We added 340 lbs of tahitian moon sand last night, Our cloud was black
Not too pretty at that point. This sand seemed to be quite heavy tho, so I am thinking it will settle quicker.

 

[cal91666]

Have you added your synthetic sea salt yet?? If not do so. I had same problem. Added the salt and overnight I had a dramatic improvement.

 

[omcnair]

All is clear. Crystal clear actually. Salt added and tank is cycling. Thanks All!!

 

[fishsticks7]

ya mine took forever to settle too. i was getting frustrated with it, but its all crystal clear now