Added water and very cloudy

glooper · Mar 2, 2022

Last night I added my saltwater to the tank and was very cloudy. Its been about 24 hours and is still pretty cloudy, pictured below. All I have running is the filter in the back. Also should say that I added the packets that came with the live sand hoping that would help.

Is there anything that I can do or do I have to just wait it out? I haven't started my cycling process yet as it is still getting up to temp.

Also I noticed the walls of the tank and all surfaces are kind of "dirty" and have tiny bubbles all over, is this a sign of concern?

Thanks in advance.

Sean Clark · Mar 2, 2022

This is perfectly normal and will clear up on its own.

Oldreefer44 · Mar 2, 2022

patience needs to be your best friend going forward.

glooper · Mar 2, 2022

Oldreefer44 said:
patience needs to be your best friend going forward.

Yes I know, I just wanted to make sure I didn't do anything wrong lol. Keep second guessing myself

Oldreefer44 · Mar 3, 2022

Yeah it is very hard not to want to do something when the best thing is to just let it be. It might not be a stretch to make the statement that more harm has been done to reef tanks because the owner couldn't resist intervening than for any other reason.

PatW · Mar 3, 2022

It looks like you have sand. The dust in the sand will make for a cloudy tank. So you need to rinse, rinse and rinse sand and rinse again. Even then you will get a cloudy tank. It should settle out and be fine. It helps to have filter socks and they will speed up the process.

Karen00 · Mar 3, 2022

Which sand and what packets are you referring to? I bought the CaribSea live sand and there were no packets so I'm curious as to which sand you have. Not sure if the packets are what makes it live? You're not supposed to rinse live sand. If you do then you're rinsing away everything that makes it live so knowing the brand you have will help. Mine was cloudy for about 24hrs then settled.

glooper · Mar 3, 2022

Karen00 said:
Which sand and what packets are you referring to? I bought the CaribSea live sand and there were no packets so I'm curious as to which sand you have. Not sure if the packets are what makes it live? You're not supposed to rinse live sand. If you do then you're rinsing away everything that makes it live so knowing the brand you have will help. Mine was cloudy for about 24hrs then settled.

I got the CaribSea live sand pink fuji. It came with a packet that is supposed to help clear the water. Bio-magnet clarifier i think? But anyways I needed to wait and be patient. I added some filter floss and it's clearing up now.

Sean Clark · Mar 3, 2022

The "packet" that has been referred to is a floculant agent that allows fine particulates to bind together and thus be more easily removed by mechanical filtration. It is not needed but will reduce the clearing time.
It comes in the regular dry sand but I don't recall if it is included with the "live" or Ocean direct sand.

\m/reefsnmetal\m/ · Mar 3, 2022

Sean Clark said:
The "packet" that has been referred to is a floculant agent that allows fine particulates to bind together and thus be more easily removed by mechanical filtration. It is not needed but will reduce the clearing time.
It comes in the regular dry sand but I don't recall if it is included with the "live" or Ocean direct sand.

It does. I've only used Caribsea live sand in my two tanks and every bag comes with them.

Karen00 · Mar 3, 2022

glooper said:
I got the CaribSea live sand pink fuji. It came with a packet that is supposed to help clear the water. Bio-magnet clarifier i think? But anyways I needed to wait and be patient. I added some filter floss and it's clearing up now.

Glad to hear it's clearing. That's good sand and stays settled once it has cleared (no sand storms when inhabitants move it). Like was mentioned before... Patience is key in this hobby.

Double monti 61 · Mar 3, 2022

Clouds happen man just wait it out dude.

Duncan62 · Mar 3, 2022

Sean Clark said:
The "packet" that has been referred to is a floculant agent that allows fine particulates to bind together and thus be more easily removed by mechanical filtration. It is not needed but will reduce the clearing time.
It comes in the regular dry sand but I don't recall if it is included with the "live" or Ocean direct sand.

It is.