When I started my tank, I used CaribSea Ocean Direct Live Sand in original grade because I liked the way it looked with the mix of grain sizes (and even shells!) mixed in. It's been horrible and I don't know what to do.
Upon adding it (unrinsed, as the bag instructed) it immediately filled the tank and sump with brown foam and made the water a milk tea color. I added the clarifier as instructed, which didn't seem to help. I should have cut my losses back then but it seemed like lots of other people had the same experience and it turned out okay after they gave it some time. The water eventually cleared up with diligent use of filter floss and vacuuming but every surface was covered in powder (this stuff is finer than the finest sand, almost like flour).
Fast forward to adding macros: any movement of the substrate kicks up powder from the sand that gets on everything (rocks, pumps, overflow, etc.). My macros are covered in fine layer of this powder. Still I persevered and diligently "dusted" off my macroalgae and waited. Fast forward to today: I added a sand sifting goby to the tank to keep the sand tidy and every time he sifts he kicks up a plume of powder. I'm worried that once there are corals in the tank, the powder will cover and kill the corals. I can see the stuff already affecting the macros.
Should I replace my sand? This option is a royal PITA in terms of time, expense, and messing up my nitrogen cycle but I would rather do it now while there is relatively little livestock in there. If I wait (maybe until there is more biofilm?) will the sand settle down eventually?
Upon adding it (unrinsed, as the bag instructed) it immediately filled the tank and sump with brown foam and made the water a milk tea color. I added the clarifier as instructed, which didn't seem to help. I should have cut my losses back then but it seemed like lots of other people had the same experience and it turned out okay after they gave it some time. The water eventually cleared up with diligent use of filter floss and vacuuming but every surface was covered in powder (this stuff is finer than the finest sand, almost like flour).
Fast forward to adding macros: any movement of the substrate kicks up powder from the sand that gets on everything (rocks, pumps, overflow, etc.). My macros are covered in fine layer of this powder. Still I persevered and diligently "dusted" off my macroalgae and waited. Fast forward to today: I added a sand sifting goby to the tank to keep the sand tidy and every time he sifts he kicks up a plume of powder. I'm worried that once there are corals in the tank, the powder will cover and kill the corals. I can see the stuff already affecting the macros.
Should I replace my sand? This option is a royal PITA in terms of time, expense, and messing up my nitrogen cycle but I would rather do it now while there is relatively little livestock in there. If I wait (maybe until there is more biofilm?) will the sand settle down eventually?