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How long to wait for sand to settle?

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1K views 8 replies 8 participants last post by  MStad64  
#1 ·
I have a buddy who got some Southdown Sand (I belive that is what it is called). He has it in the tank, and filled with water. When he starts his filter and powerhead, it stirs up the sand and it all goes into the filter, turns cloudy, and looks like a mess. How long does he have to wait for the sand to settle, or what can he do?
 
#3 ·
Took me about 5 days to eventually settle. More like 2 weeks to completely settle. Espically if your not done with rock work
 
#5 ·
It should take 3-5 days to settle out on it's own. Or, you can stuff some filter floss into the filter right above the outflow, and the water should clear up in a day or 2 tops. You just then have to be VERY careful when removing the filter and floss to clean it....one little bump or nudge and the floss will release lots of milky goodness back INTO the tank, and you get to start all over again!

Good luck.
 
#6 ·
It seemed to take mine forever! Probably a good week. Someone on MR told me after that before adding water your suppost to cover the sand with some kind of bag so the sand doesn't get everywhere. I went out and bought another filter just to get rid of the mess. But, it does clean up and it'll be worth it. Definetly move flow away from the sand.
 
#8 ·
It took our 300 gal. 6 days, went out and bought a cannister filter, and put floss in it like Canisosn said, and emptied it every night, and like magic on the 6th day the water was perfectly clear, and when i stir the sand theres a very little cloud that settles fast.