Question about start up

[DeeOooGee]

Hi,

I have a question about setting up a new sal****er tank. I have a 46 gallon
(bowed front) tank that I had been using at a freshwater cichlid tank. I am
converting it over to sal****er and still using the penguin 400 fresh/marine
bio-wheel filter and I bought a new skimmer (that is good up to 100 gallons.

I bought crushed coral/shells for the substrate (2 bags of fine crushed and
1 bag of the larger shells and crushed coral.

The tank was cleaned and the setup began as discussed with LFS sal****er
specialist. The question I have is with the substrate. The substrate I
purchased said it was pre-washed, but I rinsed it again anyway.

The problem was that I just poured it in a large bucket and just ran water
over it and mixed it up with my hands while I was letting the water run out
(that was milky white). I did this for what seemed like an eternity the
added it to my 1/3 filled aquarium. The water turned white! I then
siphoned the water back out and started over, but the water I added turned
white too.

I figured I needed to rinse the next bag better (so I did) and added that
bag. The water seemed to get a little more cloudy. Then I added the last
bag of larger (some what rinsed) substrate and then added water.

I started my filter and then set up the skimmer. I turned them both on and
the water is still very cloudy. My belief was not that the water would
clear up instantly, but I need to know if it is worth it to allow the chance
to clear up or if I should just change the water and try something else with
the substrate.

I have not added the salt yet, because if I need to change the water I do
not want to waste salt. Will it be all right? Also I have never used a
skimmer before and I notice a strong smell of electric motor coming from it.
Is this normal on a new skimmer (or pump for that matter)?

I'll let the pump work it's wonders and check back in a bit to see if anyone
can assist me in this matter. Thank you for taking the time to respond.

....DeeOooGee

[Charles Spitzer]

"DeeOooGee" > wrote in message
news:4Jtid.356131$3l3.110367@attbi_s03...
> Hi,
>
> I have a question about setting up a new sal****er tank. I have a 46
> gallon
> (bowed front) tank that I had been using at a freshwater cichlid tank. I
> am
> converting it over to sal****er and still using the penguin 400
> fresh/marine
> bio-wheel filter and I bought a new skimmer (that is good up to 100
> gallons.
>
> I bought crushed coral/shells for the substrate (2 bags of fine crushed
> and
> 1 bag of the larger shells and crushed coral.
>
> The tank was cleaned and the setup began as discussed with LFS sal****er
> specialist. The question I have is with the substrate. The substrate I
> purchased said it was pre-washed, but I rinsed it again anyway.
>
> The problem was that I just poured it in a large bucket and just ran water
> over it and mixed it up with my hands while I was letting the water run
> out
> (that was milky white). I did this for what seemed like an eternity the
> added it to my 1/3 filled aquarium. The water turned white! I then
> siphoned the water back out and started over, but the water I added turned
> white too.

as you move your hand through the substrate, you produce more milky white
small particles. you'd have to rinse forever, and have far less substrate,
to get rid of all of it.

> I figured I needed to rinse the next bag better (so I did) and added that
> bag. The water seemed to get a little more cloudy. Then I added the last
> bag of larger (some what rinsed) substrate and then added water.
>
> I started my filter and then set up the skimmer. I turned them both on
> and
> the water is still very cloudy. My belief was not that the water would
> clear up instantly, but I need to know if it is worth it to allow the
> chance
> to clear up or if I should just change the water and try something else
> with
> the substrate.

the skimmer won't work in fresh water. add the salt, then let it sit for a
couple of days. if that doesn't get it clear enough for you, try a water
polisher (diatom filter) for a couple of hours.

> I have not added the salt yet, because if I need to change the water I do
> not want to waste salt. Will it be all right? Also I have never used a
> skimmer before and I notice a strong smell of electric motor coming from
> it.
> Is this normal on a new skimmer (or pump for that matter)?
>
> I'll let the pump work it's wonders and check back in a bit to see if
> anyone
> can assist me in this matter. Thank you for taking the time to respond.
>
> ...DeeOooGee

regards,
charlie
cave creek, az

[DeeOooGee]

>
> regards,
> charlie
> cave creek, az
>
Thank you for your insight. I have added the salt and now have the skimmer,
heater and filter all running. The water seems to be clearing up a bit too
:-). I think I'll let it clear up completely then take the filter system
off and clean it up (except for the bio wheels). There seems to be a lot of
milky water in there.

Thanks again,

...DeeOooGee

[cokeman69]

Had the same problem setting up my tank........

If you didn't rinse it good enough, you're gonna see that milky sight
for some time... I actually had to wait over a week for mine to
clear up... Not to mention, I'm still pulling out some fine
particles after a year and a half of water changes.....

Best idea..... Rinse........Rinse some more....And again.... When you
think its clear..... Rinse it again......... I say, when you think
its clear............rinse, just to be sure.........
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