New Tank

[pumaf1]

I have setup my new tank, somewhat smaller than my 70 litre - a 30 litre, only got it due to the fact my mate gave it to me and it had a light - my old tank didnt.

I have put sand into the tank, aft i was 3/4 full of water, and its taken about 4 hours to get kinda clear, how long doe it normally take?

 

[BigC]

Did you wash the sand first
Regards
BigC

 

[aaronnorth]

it doesn't matter how long it takes, as long as it does clear, did you clean it?

 

[pumaf1]

yeah i gave it a slight clean under the tap in the buket, nothing to vigurous

 

[BigC]

I think sand needs you to be very vigorous.
I generally find the smaller the grain of substrate (Pea Gravel all the way down to Sand) the more gunk and dirt it contains.
and subsequently takes longer to clean.
Regards
BigC

 

[aaronnorth]

I washed 1/2 a bucket of sand 4 times, you have to keep going until water is clear

 

[pumaf1]

its all gone clear now - yipee

did my first readings:

ph 6
nitrate 5
nitrite 0.1
ammonia 0