Help - cloudy water after adding crushed coral substrate

[mrleo]

Help! Just put 3x40lb in my 125 gallon, with new salt water. I thought I rinsed it alright, but the water turned into a milk-screen. I only use mesh filter socks for filters, and I did not even start the circulation as I am sure the mesh cells are too wide for the stuff that in the water now. It got a little batter after couple of days but as soon as I stir the substrate it pulls up clouds of tiny particles which stay in the water. I have read somewhere that I should use Seachem Clearwater, but not sure if I can trust it and I need to clean it for good so that water does not get when the substrate is stirred sometime in the future - by accident or during routine cleaning. Should I use filter? Chemicals?

 

[Swoody]

If you are setting up a new tank and just starting your Aquascaping and getting ready to cycle etc. just let it go, that cloudiness will soon disappear.

 

[mrleo]

If you are setting up a new tank and just starting your Aquascaping and getting ready to cycle etc. just let it go, that cloudiness will soon disappear.

But as soon as I touch the "ground" I stir up the dust and it stays in water. Trying to prevent it from happening in the future when tank is all setup and it is not easy to change stuff..

 

[Dancingmad]

How deep of a sand bed? If its an inch or two..and I promise Im not trying to be too snarky but dont stir the sandbed . There are always going to be fines in your sand regardless of the sands rated particle size IME. Sand stiring critters + mechanical filteration will make it better possibly depend on how rigorous a stirererer you have (diamond goby vs a tiger conch as example).

 

[mrleo]

the CC is just about couple inches. Picture shows how it was for 2 days. Now it kind of settled but if I stir it I am afraid it would become as bad

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

the CC is just about couple inches. Picture shows how it was for 2 days. Now it kind of settled but if I stir it I am afraid it would become as bad

once the bacteria get established it'll stick the tiny grains together.
this is the stuff that comes with most caribsea live sand. https://www.saltwaterfish.com/product-caribsea-bio-magnet-clarifier

 

[Dancingmad]

2 days? Just hang tight imo. Ive started tanks that looked like that for a week+. I suggest keeping the lights off so it doesnt bother you as much when you look over at it thats what i do at least.

 

[mrleo]

once the bacteria get established it'll stick the tiny grains together.
this is the stuff that comes with most caribsea live sand. https://www.saltwaterfish.com/product-caribsea-bio-magnet-clarifier

Thanks so much for advice and encouragement to everyone who responded. I think I understand now that other water clarifier would do same thing as you described. I will add the liquid and start filtering, and wait for bacteria to do the rest!

 

[Paullawr]

Filter floss In canister filter and some carbon. It will be clear by morning without the clarrifier.

Used caribsea sand for years and just dump it in with water. Tank looks like that and so just hit with canister filter.

Filter sock is just as good with floss.