FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hello Everybody...please help...

I just put in 2 bags of dirt substrate that I purchased from my LFS and filled the tank with water. As expected the water was substantially cloudy due the fine dust. So I drained the tank and refilled it several times and each time the tank starts out fairly clean but as the water pump cycles the water through the filter it seems to get cloudier. I thought if I stirred the water up and then drained it again that I would get a majority of the dust particles out faster and I think I might have. But after filling the tank again and letting it sit over night and turning the pump back on in the morning it looked like it started to cloudy again. So I turned the pump back off to let sit some more. The filter is picking up what it can but it seems like the dust is so fine that it is for the most part going right through. I have a Kotobuki Paradome 950R 200 liter tank. The water pump is pushing through 15 liters a minute (Just over 3 gallons). How do i get the water to clear up? Do I need to continue with the water changes? Will it settle on it's own? What do I need to do? Please help. Any and all Inputs are welcome.

Michael

m_acontreras

just put in 2 bags of dirt substrate that I purchased from my LFS

I hope you dont mean dirt (as in garden) Do you have what looks like a fine river gravel about 1-3mm in size?
If not what do you have then?

Did you wash it first bucket by bucket preferably with a hose?
This removes all the dirt and dust particles

Turning the pump off will not do much at all reason being as soon as you turn it on again it will stir up the dirt.

If you did not wash the substrate at all, I would take it out and give it a very good wash, also dont forget to remove evey bit of it from the tank and give it a very good cleaning as well.

Your filter might be full of muck as well. If you are starting a new tank I would pull the filter down and clean all the filter material.

Do you know any thing about "Cycle process" when setting up a new tank?


Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith



Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Leave the particles to get waterlogged and sink, clean the filter regularly, and do a big water change in a few days if you need to

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

keith, thanks for your reply...

the substrate is not garden soil...it is as you described, specifically for planted aquarium use...how ever, i did not rinse it because the directions on the back of the bag said not to and i was afraid if i did the dirt pebbles would break down and wash away...i'm guessing i should have rinsed it anyways, huh. I'll give it a try...

And yes, i am familiar with the "cycle process" when setting up a new tank...Thank You!!!!

Hi,
Your best bet would to use a diatom filter. Since you
have this substrate, you will need it from time to time
as you rummage about through the tank.

This filter remove particles in the micron range and turns
your tank crystal clear within a couple of hours. They
are meant to be used to clear up the tank. They are NOT
designed to be used 24/7/365, in fact, they are so
efficient that they will clog up and the pump motor that
relies on water flow for cooling, will begin to overheat.

http://www.diatomfilter.com/products/diatom_d1_filter.htm

http://www.aquatichouse.com/FILTRATION%20MENU_files/diatompowder.asp

Frank

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Great info Frank...I was unaware of this type of filter...I am now in the market for a Diatom Filter...Thanks for the heads up!!!!

Hi,
You are welcome, Glad I could help!


Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--