New tank setup - Cloudy & surface scum

[T-J]

I posted this on my tank thread, but didn't get any replies so I thought I'd try here...

I recently got back into the hobby and I'm trying a 40g cube (Aquatop Recife ECO series). I set it up about 3 days ago with CaribSea Ocean Direct live sand. I'm also dosing Microbacter 7.

My tank is pretty cloudy, and I have an annoying surface film that the overflow just doesn't seem to be pulling in. I also have a bad case of microbubbles (from the skimmer), but that's the least of my worries.

I put some filter floss into the first overflow chamber, hoping it would catch some of this stuff and help clear the tank. I am thinking of throwing a sock with carbon in there, but thought I'd ask first.

Pics of tank and surface issue (video) below:

 

[ScottB]

The CaribeSea sand comes with a lot of dust; just part of the deal. When I start up with that sand, I tend to:
a) run socks with floss stuffed in them.
b) Stir the sand up often into a dust storm
c) Add some Clarifier which helps to clump the dust to the floss
d) Frequently rinse the socks/floss
e) repeat until my arm falls off

The downside of this method is that it will be exporting the MB7 bacteria you have already dosed. So if you can stand to wait a bit on the cycle until the water clears... it could be worth it.

 

[T-J]

The CaribeSea sand comes with a lot of dust; just part of the deal. When I start up with that sand, I tend to:
a) run socks with floss stuffed in them.
b) Stir the sand up often into a dust storm
c) Add some Clarifier which helps to clump the dust to the floss
d) Frequently rinse the socks/floss
e) repeat until my arm falls off

The downside of this method is that it will be exporting the MB7 bacteria you have already dosed. So if you can stand to wait a bit on the cycle until the water clears... it could be worth it.

Thanks! I was thinking of just throwing a filter bag of carbon and floss into the overflow and hope that catches everything.

 

[lavoisier]

Remember that successful tanks take patience...lots of patience. Give it time and don't jump to solve problems. Keep asking questions on the forum. I love your aquascape.

 

[T-J]

Remember that successful tanks take patience...lots of patience. Give it time and don't jump to solve problems. Keep asking questions on the forum. I love your aquascape.

It’s hard after being out for 5 years and having 20 years of reefing experience.
Lol on the aquascaping. Needed to get a few rocks in there to get going. Going to be getting more dry rock to build a stepped horseshoe scape. Want to have “levels” for all the different lighting needs.

 

[lavoisier]

T-J, I thought you were going minimalist, which I like the looks of! Post pics when you get all the rock in there you want.

 

[T-J]

@lavoisier Thanks to your advice, I didn’t do anything....
... and the tank cleared on its own! . Well, everything but the microbubbles from the skimmer.