Here's an interesting one for you.
When my tank was setup, installer dropped in 3 bags of substrate (Paleo sand) and built rock work for me - Awesome so far - super happy.
However - as a complete noob, I didn't pick up on the subtle detail that the substrate wasn't washed before it went in... And I of course didn't realise that it should have been.
Literally, bag opened, paleo sand in. Marco rocks built. Job done.
Initial water fill was cloudy, but I didn't know if that was the substrate or the rock work - or if this was just how things were (See comment about me being a noob above)
Did a 25% water change yesterday, and thought I'd test vacuuming the gravel with the trusty siphon
Big Mistake. Huge Mistake.
Water instantly as cloudy as a cloudy day in a very cloudy city. We're talking cant see through more than about an inch of water.
And now of course I find videos on trusty YoozToob of people using Paleo sand - and saying that its really important to wash the sand multiple times before putting it in the tank in order to get rid of all of the dust
Multiple Choice Question - Should I...
(a) Stir up as much substrate as I can to create cloudiness from hell - and try to have filter socks / wool pull out the resulting mess [Before I put anything valuable in the tank] ?
(b) Live with it - it'll be fine OR
(c) Pull everything to bits now, wash the living daylights out of the substrate, put it all back together and wish I'd called out the (unnamed) party for getting me into this situation in the first place?
Any / all input more than appreciated - as long as input doesn't involve laughing at me...
When my tank was setup, installer dropped in 3 bags of substrate (Paleo sand) and built rock work for me - Awesome so far - super happy.
However - as a complete noob, I didn't pick up on the subtle detail that the substrate wasn't washed before it went in... And I of course didn't realise that it should have been.
Literally, bag opened, paleo sand in. Marco rocks built. Job done.
Initial water fill was cloudy, but I didn't know if that was the substrate or the rock work - or if this was just how things were (See comment about me being a noob above)
Did a 25% water change yesterday, and thought I'd test vacuuming the gravel with the trusty siphon
Big Mistake. Huge Mistake.
Water instantly as cloudy as a cloudy day in a very cloudy city. We're talking cant see through more than about an inch of water.
And now of course I find videos on trusty YoozToob of people using Paleo sand - and saying that its really important to wash the sand multiple times before putting it in the tank in order to get rid of all of the dust
Multiple Choice Question - Should I...
(a) Stir up as much substrate as I can to create cloudiness from hell - and try to have filter socks / wool pull out the resulting mess [Before I put anything valuable in the tank] ?
(b) Live with it - it'll be fine OR
(c) Pull everything to bits now, wash the living daylights out of the substrate, put it all back together and wish I'd called out the (unnamed) party for getting me into this situation in the first place?
Any / all input more than appreciated - as long as input doesn't involve laughing at me...