New tank - sand still clearing?

Everyone does this slightly different, so your plan seems rational. A few things to think about, but I am no expert.

1) Nutrient Export. The only way junk comes out of my tank is via 3 means... a) Skimmer, b) Chateo removed from my refugium and c) Deep Sand Bed and LR bateria doing the nitrogen cycle thing. In your system, you'll only have the skimmer and LR. I'd consider more sand to establish a DSB and more LR.

2) I mix my salt water before I put it in the tank. Not a big issue when brand new I guess. Yes, I would add the salt and turn on the power head. My guess is that there is dust sitting suspended in the water. With no movement, it is just sitting there. Turn on the power head and I bet it goes away.

Just some thoughts
M

 

I also ran mechanical filtration for a while in the beginning also... then removed it once stable.

M

 

definately helps clearing up water in the beginning or whenever you stir things up too much

 

I think with turning on the filter and getting some circulation, it'll clear by morning...

IMO

M

 

That Korallia your running in the second pic is keeping the sand stirred up, you can see the sand dune its making 3/4 of the way down the tank, point it towards the surface.

 

I thought he said it wasn't on?? If it is on, I point mine to the opposite diagonal. Left, Bottom, Front points at Right, Top, Back to get turbulent flow.

BTW -- Technical meaning of turbulent... well mixed and random...

Long way of saying, I agree if it is on.

M

 

It wasnt on, it was on for the first night a week ago and i shut it off. I readjusted it tonight and turned it back on along with a HOB pengiun 330 filter for now.

I am going to have LR, good circulation and a good skimmer. I thought about doing a DSB, but I dont think they are valuable unless you go 4-5+ inches. Even that that I would be worried of gas pockets coming up and killing my stock eventually. So I will try this way, good water changes and see how it goes. I eventually think I'll end up with a new setup and go with a sump. But for my first Salt water tank I'll try this route first.

 

Congrats on the new tank... the protein skimmer is a must... my sand cleared within 2 days and I didn't wash it either. What type of sand did you use... "play sand" somtimes takes a few times of rinsing but don't know much about it....
Maybe you want to do some research on the net

 

I've done quite a bit of research actually. Thats why I am going with the setup Ihave because it was within my budget. As I mentioned before I definitley will be getting a protien skimmer.

I did not use playsand, I purchased Caribsea Aragamax Select, 60 pounds.

It washed pretty well but obviously not enough heh. We'll see what happens. I am starting with abotu 80 pounds of live rock as soon as I can put it in the tank. I'll pick up more eventually.

 

As long as you are thinking it through like you are, you'll do fine. A sump is a must IMHO. Looks good so far/