Have I messed up? Do I need to strip it all out?

[BSVKilbey]

Hi all,

So... got some sand. Cleaned it all out. Put it in the tank with saltwater, then thought hmmm this looks like silica based sand.

It wasn't exactly expensive, however, thinking do I need to tip this out and start over?

My Live rock should be arriving tomorrow.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Can't comment on silica or not but cloudyness is common regardless. If it is silica then yeah I would replace it. To my the particle size is far smaller than I would use. 1.5-2 mm is what I go for

 

[James_O]

silica based sand.

Yes, I would replace it. Silica based sands can cause excess nitrates.

You also have a very deep sand base, which I don’t recommend.

 

[homer1475]

Reading over the details from amazon, it looks to be just small stones. no actual "sand". I would still replace it with appropriate marine grade "sand".

 

[James_O]

Reading over the details from amazon, it looks to be just small stones. no actual "sand". I would still replace it with appropriate marine grade "sand".

CaribSea Arab-Alive is an excellent choice. The 20lb should base his tank perfectly.

 

[homer1475]

CaribSea Arab-Alive is an excellent choice. The 20lb should base his tank perfectly.

Great choice! Although I do not buy into the "live" aspect of caribsea products. I prefer dry, and it's a bit cheaper.

Dry "sand" is about a buck a pound.

 

[chadfish]

Also, it’s wise to put the base rock in first, then fill with sand. You want your base rock directly on the bottom of the tank so it’s stable.

 

[BSVKilbey]

Great advice thanks all. I am based in the UK so need to find the equivalent here.

It's only a 5G tank so sand storms won't be an issue as no fish (or 1 small one) but crustaceans, which is why I went for a deeper bed.

 

[BSVKilbey]

Ok, good news!

Went to my LFS and got some marine sand.

They didn't do any of the branded stuff you mentioned. 5kg of this cost me £17 which I think is pretty good to be fair.

Now to clean it 1000% and put it in the tank. Fingers crossed!

 

[homer1475]

Aragonite.....

Just the right stuff. Remember to rinse it very well. There is quite a bit of dust in dry sand, and you don't want to wait for days till it clears the fog.

 

[homer1475]

Only thing I would note.....

Being a small grain size, you may find it blows around quite a bit.

 

[BSVKilbey]

Only thing I would note.....

Being a small grain size, you may find it blows around quite a bit.

Yeah, the tank is only 5G and I doubt I will have any fish that will stir it up. The flow will be diffused by an idea I have so will soon see.

Thanks for the heads up

 

[BSVKilbey]

OK Phew! CLEAR water!

Thanks all

 

[brandon429]

now that's a clean start.

 

[BSVKilbey]

now that's a clean start.

The sand change was the right choice! Also heard you resonating in my ear whilst I was cleaning the sand.

Every time I said to myself ok that looks good, you popped onto my other shoulder and said NOPE! 1000% clean! Again! Again!