sand + water = algeal cloud

[ems3411]

ok. I just added RO water to my tank with my southdown in it.. yup it clouded up instantly.. ok that went away in a day or so. I have yet to add the salt. I am wondering if I should do some water changes to clear the 'muck' or add the salt and start the cycle.

I just added carbon to the sump to try and clear it up a bit yesterday. So far nothing to report. I have had some algea start to attatch to the glass so I am wondering if my RO needs to be changed.

Any ideas are welcome and encouraged.

Ps it's only 18 inches to the back and I can't see my powerheads sitting on the back of the tank.

 

[danmhippo]

Actually, you should mix salt with water first before you add sand, but, It's OK, there's going to be weeks before you can do serious stocking. Go ahead and add salt into the murky water, and a piece of fish/seafood to decompose to kick off cycle.

 

[Anonymous]

Do you have any live rock in the tank? If you don't I would put at least a couple of pieces in to get the bacteria seeded. And change the water later. Some algae will grow in the beginning, to be expected.