[chris2008]

I am starting a new reef tank and have run into a problem. My water, after adding salt, is extremely cloudy and has remained so for 2 full days. I don't know why it won't clear up and have never had this problem before. Does anyone ahve suggestions?

[NATIVEVAMAN]

How did you add the salt?Did you add any calcium?Fish?power heads?

[chris2008]

I simply added it to the tank while the dolphin pump was circulating. I figure it is about like mixing water in a trash can as there is nothing else in the tank.

[R-e-D]

if you just add salt to water and move it around it will never settle .. is there no sand in this tank yet

[chris2008]

No sand yet. But I don't think water movement or the lack thereof is the problem. I left the dolphin pump off last night and saw no visible difference. I will add the substrate after I add my live rock that I am taking from my old 120. I want to get the basic water going first, though

[reefnoob1991]

Adding the rest of the sand will make it more cloudy.

[chris2008]

I agree. I want to get this straightened out before I go any farther.

[reefnoob1991]

I mean if you add it later it will just cloud it up more, since there's nothing in it go ahead and add it now

[chris2008]

Do you think the sand will cause the cloudiness to disappear or just to add it so that it is only cloudy once and not twice? My concern is that the cloudiness has been there for 2 days without any change. I'm not sure that adding sand will get rid of the problem I have. Do you think it will?

[reefnoob1991]

You just have to be patient and let it settle, but if you let it clear and add the sand later its just gonna cloud up again so just add it now. The tank takes 6 weeks to cycle anyways so i'm sure it'll have plenty of time