How long does it take for cloudy marine water to clear after adding sand?

Question

I'm setting up a marine tank and added live sand this morning. It is clearing - slowly, and yes, I did put the whole bag in there, pour it out in the bottom, etc. etc. but it still clouded up. The PH is 8.2, temp. is 77, and every thing else is good, so I know it's the sand. How long should it take to clear? Also, should I turn off my aerators and wavemaker or not? I'm thinking it needs to filter out, in which case, I'd want to leave them running, but on the other hand, if I cut down on the movement, will it settle? Any thoughts?

Answer 1

leave it be, the sand will settle in a day or two, i have found the standard answer to most of my questions are to leave it be and let it run, everything happens slowly in the marine aquarium world, you cant add chemicals to clear things up quickly, you don't do drastic hi volume water changes unless its a dire emergency, take it slow, don't cut corners, and it will all work out in the end,

Answer 2

If your waiting for it to sink, could take up to a week, but if you want it to clear up sooner, i recommend just turning on the filter and let that take care of it

i have dealt with dust after adding gravel, but i've never heard of aquarium sand before hehe, i havent seen it at my local pet store :P

Answer 3

You need to filter the water thru something to remove the dust. I bet you have a freshwater filter that hangs on the back of a tank. Fill that with filter floss and run it to get out the dust and then throw it away and remove the filter. Or if you can stand the looks of it, just throw in a bunch of handfuls of filter floss all pulled into wispy strands and have the water circulate around and the dust should glom onto the floss and then you can throw it away. Not too pretty but its temporary.

Answer 4

well, you definitely don't wonna turn off your equipment or you will loose all the bacteria which has build in your filter already

it will take a few days, it can be settled in 1 day, but it can go as long as up to 10 days

just don't put any chemicals in the tank, just have some patience

Answer 5

i'd wait till tomorrow morning and look again.  i'd also turn off the wavemaker only, as that will be making the most movement.  airators should be fine, though.  

if it's still cloudy, then follow the advice that people here have given you, but i'd definately wait and see for a while first- it will take a while to settle :)

when my gravel kicked up dust, becasue i just tipped the whole lot in (not the same, i know, but as an example), it took about 2 days, with 2 filters running for it to clear.