Too much dirt, not enough sand cap. Tanks forever cloudy

rnaodm · 07-19-2012, 04:14 PM

There are a couple spots specifically in the back where I kicked up too much dirt while planting and there's no sand cap.

my substrates already about an inch and three quarters in a 6.6g tank. So I really don't want to add much more. but the only other option is to take everything out, throw away the sand top and some of the dirt, and recap.

**HolyAngel** · 07-19-2012, 05:11 PM

Could just siphon out the parts in back where the dirt is on top and just recap with more sand? I'd turn the filters and such off when you do it but it's worked for me before when changing substrates..

rnaodm · 07-19-2012, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HolyAngel

Could just siphon out the parts in back where the dirt is on top and just recap with more sand? I'd turn the filters and such off when you do it but it's worked for me before when changing substrates..

Thanks, Im going to try that first.

It wouldn't be a huge inconvenience to redo everything because its a tiny tank. But I like how it looks atm(Minus the brown).

ReluctantHippy · 07-25-2012, 04:33 PM

What type of filter are you using? I have a straight mud bottom tank with no capping and the water stays very clear once things have settled. I'm thinking that you could likely throw a fine sponge or some aquarium cotton (not sure what it's technically called) into your filter for a day or two and it would likely clean up any fine fine clay particles stuck in suspension and then you wouldn't have to do anything else.

dannylc · 07-25-2012, 04:35 PM

I had a similar dilemma a few days ago, I decided to drain the tank trash the lot and do it again. Although my reason was for a re-scape.

Not something I fancy doing again but it was sure worth it, personally in a tank that small I would re do the lot.

Jegli09 · 08-02-2012, 09:23 PM

Lots of water changes!

serpae27 · 08-08-2012, 06:15 AM

Research How-To: Mineralized Soil Substrate, by Aaron Talbot

Adding clay soil to the washed substrate will help bind the particulates.

The submersed soil should clear within 6 hours. If not, wash additional times. Washing the soil multiple times will not eliminate the organic material.

This could take several weeks.

Some top soils will never clear, especially those found in the yard. It is better to discover this outside of the tank than inside.

07-19-2012, 04:14 PM	#1
rnaodm Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Worcester, Ma Posts: 81	Too much dirt, not enough sand cap. Tanks forever cloudy There are a couple spots specifically in the back where I kicked up too much dirt while planting and there's no sand cap. my substrates already about an inch and three quarters in a 6.6g tank. So I really don't want to add much more. but the only other option is to take everything out, throw away the sand top and some of the dirt, and recap.

07-19-2012, 05:11 PM	#2
HolyAngel Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (24/100%) Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: springfield, IL Posts: 2,604	Could just siphon out the parts in back where the dirt is on top and just recap with more sand? I'd turn the filters and such off when you do it but it's worked for me before when changing substrates.. __________________ SunSun Pimp # 42 My 29G Planted 5G Betta Haven 20L Shrimp Breeder

07-25-2012, 04:33 PM	#4
ReluctantHippy Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 285	What type of filter are you using? I have a straight mud bottom tank with no capping and the water stays very clear once things have settled. I'm thinking that you could likely throw a fine sponge or some aquarium cotton (not sure what it's technically called) into your filter for a day or two and it would likely clean up any fine fine clay particles stuck in suspension and then you wouldn't have to do anything else. __________________ Tank Room

07-25-2012, 04:35 PM	#5
dannylc Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: England UK Posts: 236	I had a similar dilemma a few days ago, I decided to drain the tank trash the lot and do it again. Although my reason was for a re-scape. Not something I fancy doing again but it was sure worth it, personally in a tank that small I would re do the lot. __________________ *My journal* Dirt tank - 120g 120cm x 60cm x 76cm ( under construction ) Shrimp tank - 10g 60cm x 30cm x 35cm ( under construction ) The Fraternity of Dirt #93

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08-02-2012, 09:23 PM	#6
Jegli09 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 167	Lots of water changes!

08-08-2012, 06:15 AM	#7
serpae27 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: canada Posts: 6	Research How-To: Mineralized Soil Substrate, by Aaron Talbot Adding clay soil to the washed substrate will help bind the particulates. The submersed soil should clear within 6 hours. If not, wash additional times. Washing the soil multiple times will not eliminate the organic material. This could take several weeks. Some top soils will never clear, especially those found in the yard. It is better to discover this outside of the tank than inside.