silt?

Just set up tank... Purchased white carribean play sand and a layer of fine silt has settled on it. Should I siphon it out? Thanks in advance for any help!

 

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If it were me, I'd probably siphon it, but I have read from a few people to leave it in for the bacteria.

There are quite a few people here that have Southdown (same thing) and could answer with experience.

Thanks for joining!

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Thank you for the advice I will try to siphon it out slowly. ;D

 

I just read, can't remember where, that the silt provides greater surface area for beneficial bacteria. I'd leave it in as it is similar to the substrate in healthy and life full sea grass beds.

HTH

 

Yup, leave it in. It'll be better for micro fauna, it they don't like the larger particles. Plus, its just aragonite, whats the worry?

 

Thank you to everyone for all the advise I have not siphoned it out yet. I will leave it and if it still clouds the water after a couple of weeks then I will do a partial water change to help clear the water.

 

leave it in it will eventually all sink to the bottom when the bacteria takes hold its alright there

 

I left it in and it seems to have almost all worked its way below the sand. I am now getting a greenish brown algee growth on the sand is this normal? Should I stir it up or leave it alone?

 

That's normal. It will probably become several colors over time.
Some use a rubber knife used for baking - a spatula? - to rub off the algae in front without disturbing the sand bed too much. [smiley=thumbs_up1.gif]