Help needed to clear my water!

[SophieOlwen]

Hello!
I have just upgraded my tank and am now using sand. I’ve always either had gravel or bare as a substrate so I’m needing some help.

I have washed the sand about 4 times now and refilled the tank 3 times. This was over the time span of about a month.

The water just won’t clear. I’m really in need of some help as I’m wanting to put this upgrade into place but still need to cycle etc

Any recommendations, attached some images. There is no heater as it’s cold water but there is a filter and light.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[fishwonder]

Are you cycling this tank/filter? If yes, when did you start? Normal for sand to stay cloudy for a while, even a cycling filter/tank.

 

[Mcfly]

Sand is finicky substrate. It may not have been clean enough.

If the sand isn't cleaned properly, you will end up with fine dirt, fine dirt
particles that will cloud your aquarium water and could effect filtration.

It took HOURS to clean then rinse sand in one of my previous tanks.
Every time I agitated the sand, more dirty water would show up in the
bucket I was cleaning it in.

Now I stick with gravel. Call me lazy if you will.

 

[SophieOlwen]

Sand is finicky substrate. It may not have been clean enough.

If the sand isn't cleaned properly, you will end up with fine dirt, fine dirt
particles that will cloud your aquarium water and could effect filtration.

It took HOURS to clean then rinse sand in one of my previous tanks.
Every time I agitated the sand, more dirty water would show up in the
bucket I was cleaning it in.

Now I stick with gravel. Call me lazy if you will.

Sadly it’s for my axolotl so sand is pretty much all he can safely have!

 

[SophieOlwen]

I was cycling for about 2 weeks? Yes currently still cycling. Yeah I just don’t know when the tank is “ready” if you understand me? I’ve never used sand before so not sure what to expect

 

[fishwonder]

I was cycling for about 2 weeks? Yes currently still cycling. Yeah I just don’t know when the tank is “ready” if you understand me? I’ve never used sand before so not sure what to expect

OK, cloudy water is normal also for a cycling tank. It will take 3-8 weeks to complete and here is some tank cycling information for you.

Cloudy water information is here too.

 

[SophieOlwen]

OK, cloudy water is normal also for a cycling tank. It will take 3-8 weeks to complete and here is some tank cycling information for you.

Cloudy water information is here too.

Thank you for the links
I have seen some conflicting advice on cycling and I know there are many ways to do it.
Do I just leave the tank running as is for another month and see what happens? Or should I be doing like 25% a week changes?

 

[fishwonder]

Thank you for the links
I have seen some conflicting advice on cycling and I know there are many ways to do it.
Do I just leave the tank running as is for another month and see what happens? Or should I be doing like 25% a week changes?

Just wait it out. If no fish, no need to change any water until your cycle is done.