Help with my new tank!

[oranje]

Hey Reefers,

So I started my 120 gallon monstrosity, and filled it with the mature liverock and sandbed from my friend. Everything seems just fine thus far, except for one thing... the tank is a MESS!

There's literally about 1 cm of debris covering the sandbed, and the rocks... that nasty, brown sediment that we all know and love. If I turn on my powerheads, the water just turns into a huge cloud of this stuff. My question is, what should I do about it? I figure I shouldn't be using a skimmer yet, as the system needs to stabilize... but likewise, I don't think a thick layer of filth over the entire sandbed is good for the health of the tank.

Advise! I'm not exactly a newbie, but I've never set up a reef from scratch... thank you, oh kind reefers of the world.

 

[ColdZero1]

I'd add some kind of mechanical filtration for a few days after you kick it up. You could add a skimmer now tho, I don't understand why not. Stuff covering the sand and rock is bad cause it hinders exchange with the tank water. You could also try vacuuming some of it in your next water change. Like lightly go over the sand so you don't disturb the sand, but you suck that stuff up. Or get stuff to eat it.

 

[danmhippo]

Yep, I agree. You can do a 20% water change and at the same time use a 3/8" hose to suck up as much detritus as you can. It is recommended to stop powerhead so you can zero-in on the detritus when it is still. A skimmer will help and simple mechanical filtration such tie a bag over your overflow outlet to the sump. Make sure you rinse the bag daily until the detritus situation has improved.

 

[reefland]

Siphon the crud out and hook up your skimmer. I don't think there is such as thing as to early to hook up a skimmer.

 

[reefsRcool]

i agree. get the skimmer running and suck that junk outa there