Advice needed to deal with muddy water after putting in soil.

**Mab1510** · 10th Feb 2019, 23:51

Hi all. To upgrade my 2×1.5×1.5 feet tank that was running for a few weeks with normal gravel and fishes to a planted community fish tank, I bought H.E.L.P. soil yesterday in order to support real plants, removed 80% of the water in my tank and added the soil into my tank then put the water back in. But it was cloudy and muddy so I put my filter on and let it run for a few hours. It got better but still quite murky. As I don't have a spare tank, I had to put the fishes back in. Any suggestions on how to make the water clear and how long more till I can add more plants and fishes? The fishes I have now are doing fine but the yamato shrimps sometime stone for a while. Your advice is much appreciated!

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

**torque6** · 11th Feb 2019, 12:05

I usually put a layer of plastic bag or use a bowl to break the flow of water when topping up a tank with new soil, it prevents the dust from stirring up in the tank for new setup.

Most aquasoil like HELP aquael, MR aqua, ADA, tropica have these problems if you are not careful.

My first tank with ADA 12 years back had this problem, because I didn't know to do it properly. Took several weeks with large water change to clear up the water. I didn't have live stock at that time, so 50% WC per week and with canister cleaning. I put 3 stacks of fine filter floss (eheim) but it still took longer than expected.

Best advice is still to start right.

**Shadow** · 12th Feb 2019, 16:19

Look like you are using hang on back (HOB) filter, you might want to fill up the water all the way to the top. The HOB water output might stir the soil below. You can also use white filter wool to help filter the dirt.

**Mab1510** · 12th Feb 2019, 16:21

Thank you for the advice guys, I really appreciate it! Would it help if I put gravel on top of the soil to seal the soil away from the current? Would this help to prevent the soil from clouding the water again?

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

**Shadow** · 12th Feb 2019, 16:29

you can try, it might help or maybe add big rock under the filter output

**Mab1510** · 12th Feb 2019, 16:49

Okay, thanks. I'm already putting a stone under the output. Should I change the water and suck up the debris from the soil or just let it be as it might have nutrients, bearing in mind that there's already some fishes in the tank?

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

**torque6** · 13th Feb 2019, 00:41

Originally Posted by Mab1510

Okay, thanks. I'm already putting a stone under the output. Should I change the water and suck up the debris from the soil or just let it be as it might have nutrients, bearing in mind that there's already some fishes in the tank?

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

Just let it be for now.

I must commend on Shadow's perceptive when he noticed the HOB on the 3rd pic. The down ward flow would definitely stir up dust more.

**Mab1510** · 13th Feb 2019, 07:20

Originally Posted by torque6

Just let it be for now.

I must commend on Shadow's perceptive when he noticed the HOB on the 3rd pic. The down ward flow would definitely stir up dust more.

Okay. Thanks! Would putting a layer of gravel above the soil help to prevent it from clouding up again?

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

**Mab1510** · 13th Feb 2019, 07:21

I'm going to put in new plants into the soil today. Should I suck out the water to a lower level for easy planting or just plant it in without sucking the water up?

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

**Latency** · 3rd Mar 2019, 02:13

Originally Posted by Shadow

Look like you are using hang on back (HOB) filter, you might want to fill up the water all the way to the top. The HOB water output might stir the soil below. You can also use white filter wool to help filter the dirt.

Really keen eye for details. Thumbs up. Learnt something new today. Thanks

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk