New tank water clarity question

[capthutch]

Ok new tank startup. 75 gal w/30 gal sump. 50 lbs live rock, new sand/salt. Just reached a marked improvement as far as sediment from the sand/salt adding after the addition of the live rock and a 24 hr waiting period. Now that I can actually "see" the bottom of the tank and the not so great as it felt rock placement, i need to move some stuff around and level out some sand in the bottom. Obviously, when I move the sand it blows up the tank (even being ever so careful and slow in doing so). Would adding activated charcoal to my Phosban 150 help in calming this down faster or am I just resolved to a hurry up and wait scenario? Thanks in advance, H

 

[ringo®]

It will settle on its own . No reason to rush, its going to be empty for a bit.

 

[bluespot]

Just give it some time for the cloudiness to settle. Obviously more fine particles will become suspended any time you shift some of the sand. Just work slow and I usually turn off all pumps while moving the sand to cut down on the amount kicked up. When it gets too cloudy turn the pumps on and stop till it clears. Repeat about 100 times and all done lol! Eventually a lot of the really small light particles will make it into your sump/filter socks and get removed. Also bacteria will eventually grow on the sand and it wont kick up as easily. Carbon will do zilch to remove the fines and the pores of it will get clogged and be useless.

 

[capthutch]

Yup, newbie mistake! Didn't even think about turning off the circulation pumps while moving stuff! Duh! But I've been running the pumps thinking it would clear up faster is hat not the case? Thanks for the info guys

Edit: That not hat!

 

[jdavid]

Filter sock in your sump would catch some of the fines.

 

[capthutch]

Thanks JDavid! Picked 1 up today at Bluplanet. Everything clearing up nicely and ALOT faster w/the sock! That's the benefit of these forums that I like so much, it lets u guys tell us "noobs" how we have messed up!

 

[jdavid]

You didn't mess up man! Now just be patient while the tank cycles! I promise we are not trying to torture you by making you wait. The wait stinks... but it is well worth it to let it get cycling really good. This is a really good time to do research!

Edit: PS welcome to the ARC!!!

 

[capthutch]

Thanks!

 

[picoreefguy]

i actually prefer to wash new sand in saltwater several times to get most of the fines out and then when its in the tank stir the crap out of it and let the sock catch what it can rinse and repeat (over the cousrse of several days to a week) . also using seachems clarity during this process will help it go faster. the reason i do it this way is that fish will inevitably stir up the sand and you dont want a massive cloud to form every time this happens so i like to get it out before theres anything else even in the tank.

 

[capthutch]

I appreciate the info. I wish I would have better informed as to washing prior. I was told (infamous last words)...."nah don't wash it slam it in and it will be just fine"! I wouldn't be fun if u didn't learn something starting out!

 

[jdavid]

For the record I don't think most people wash their sand unless it is from an unknown source. I understand why Pico does it, and I don't think its a bad idea, but personally wouldn't go through the trouble. The different grain sizes are actually important to the organisms that live ijn the sand. It will layer, and some will live in the silty sand, some in the more coarse, etc.