Ngen Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 Hey Guys Have been setting up my old 4ft tank and was trying for a natural look. I used river sand from the LFS and as i wanted to grow some plants I added API first layer laterite. Although all was washed I still ended up with a Muddy tank which no amount of filtering has improved. Any Suggestions or do I just strip it and start again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pk333 Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 I am wondering if you have a high flow rate through the tank, keeping the sediment suspended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquaholic99 Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 Use a 20 L bucket to make a temporary mechanical filter. Place a 1000 LPH powerhead (approx) with a 30 cm hose on output, at bottom of bucket and half fill with 5mm, 6mm or 8mm gravel. Put whole bucket into your tank, turn on and wait 24 -48 hours. The fine suspended sediment will end up in your bucket. Just be careful removing it as it will be heavy when full of water. The trick is not to use fine mechanical filtration as this will quickly clog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngen Posted November 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 Have dropped the flow rate and even tried turning off the filter for a few days to see if it would settle with no improvement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebelle Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 (edited) I would siphon off the water and refill the tank very slowly with garden hose.Put the outlet inside a plastic bag which has holes cut in it. That way there is minimal sediment disturbance. Edited November 9, 2015 by bluebelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngen Posted November 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 This Pic was taken after the second Water change where I replaced 90%. Will try again and see how it goes Thanks for the Advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pk333 Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 Is the laterite underneath the river sand, or on top? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngen Posted November 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 I followed the instructions and mixed it in the bottom layer and the topped it with more gravel on top the tank wasn't stirred at all when filling as i used a hose on a soak setting and filled it slowly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grubby Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 Swimming pool flocculant will do the trick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquaholic99 Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 I wouldn't use floculants as you don't want the laterite to clump together (under the gravel) as iron chelates readily and has low dissolvability on its own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngen Posted November 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 I did try some Gypsum as that usually does the same as Flocculant but to no avail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase86uxb Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 No fish in tank you could try powerhead with 2lt bottle full of pillow stuffing in it swap the stuffing out every 12hr has worked well for me in the past Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grubby Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 Easy life ????? Macropore ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heintz.G Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 Do a 99% water change and see how it goes, since you seem to have done everything else and if it doesn't work start again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tech Den Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 Easy life ????? Macropore ???? Macropore will polish the water but will not solve the water with suspended solids. Imo it is really fine and passing through the filtration remaining in the water column. I'm on the same track as jase86uub fine filter wool or poly pad if you want it done quicker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngen Posted November 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 Did A 99% water change last night and followed the suggestion of using a bag over the hose end. Have taken the Purigen out of the filter to clean it as it was just mud. At least I can see the back of the tank now LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
