new tank ques (1 Viewer)

[Guest]

setup my 75 half way today. its half full and sand is everywhere. can i run
my power head while the settels or leave it off for the time being?
if i run it i know it will take longer to settle, so will it worth it to leave it off for tonite or should i go ahead and run it?

 

[Guest]

I wouldn't run it. Let it settle overnight and it should clear up nicely. Otherwise the sand will stay suspended in the water for a lot longer.

 

[rxonco]

I don't know the reasoning behind it but when I set up my 72gal I had a sand storm too and I was told to go ahead and run my powerheads. They just said to turn them on and give it a couple of days. The first night I left them off and after I turned them on I did notice much more improvement. So it may not make much difference, I think the biggest thing is to allow the tank a few days to settle.

 

[Guest]

The reason why you leave the powerheads on is so that the sand that is light has ample oppertunity to get weighed down by bacteria. If you turn them off some may settle do to lack of flow but the next time you stir them up or turn on your power heads again...sand storm. Having done it both ways I can say that leaving them on was much better.

 

[Cakepro]

I know it doesn't help you now, but next time, put your sand down in your dry tank and then lay a sheet of plastic on top of it (even a kitchen-sized Hefty bag will work). Then add your water slowly and steadily with a Maxi-Jet pump. Voila! No sandstorm.

Or just put a dinner plate on the sandbed and direct your flow onto it. Same results but I prefer the plastic sheeting.

~ Sherri

 

[Guest]

I can vouch for the plate method...works great

 

[KarenB]

Hehehe.....we use the trash bag AND sit the plate on top of the trash bag method. Works great