So cloudy, would this be because...

It's just cloudiness from new sand... it's not diatoms, it's not a bacterial bloom, it's a new tank with new sand! Just let it be and it will eventually clear up. Adding LR will also ensure that the water is filtered even more. Just be patient, it's really not a big deal.

The reason why I say it's not necessary to rinse is because I added my sand without rinsing and got cloudy, it cleared within a few hours. Wasted a lot of filter media, but dammit, it cleaned up. That's why I recommend you use felt pad filters, those things will clean the heck out of your water. That stuff your skimmer is skimming is probably sand debri.

 

I agree with you phil5613. It is a good approach to causing as little stir up as possible. The cloudiness will disappate with time.

 

Ok, finally, it all clear up....and so are all the scratches on the glass.

I just bought few LBs of LR and I now have to wait for my water parameter to fall in.
Right now is:
Ammonia:--.50
NO2:------.25
NO3:------0
pH:-------8.0

The pH is a little low, but I am hoping my DIY rock will help with that.

Thanks all!

 

Make sure your powerheads or filter output is not pointed at the sand. You may want to consider some water changes if the cloudiness does not go away after implementing the filter changes suggested by everybody else.