Method of pouring water into the tank.

[sherchoo]

Recently I've noticed alot of members setting up new tank. Some resulted in cloudy water. For me I've setup a 4ft abt 6 months back and a 1ft cube juz last week. Both tanks did not suffer any cloudy water.

During water topping up, I used a piece of paper and laid it on the gravel. I aimed the pouring water at this piece of paper. This way, minimal gravel agitation experienced. Worked quiet well with my unwashed lonestar/RMC gravel.

What methods did you guys use? Maybe the metioned method would avoid cloudy water... what you guys think?

[sherchoo]

Take note I meant for new tank setups only.

[vinz]

Depends on the "cleanliness" of the substrate too. If it has a lot of fine sediments, no matter how careful you are, the water gets a little cloudy. But, this kind of cloudiness usually clears within hours to a day.

[tawauboy]

to reduce cloudiness, you can drain water while you are filling your tank.

i use a hose to fill my tank. i connect to the hose a plastic medicine bottle which i have cut long slots along the sides. in this way the water pressure is 'spent' inside the bottle rather than on the gravel.

[juggler]

To steal an idea from Nature Aquarium. Can make one yourself or buy from Mr Chan himself.


The gadget prevents stirring up of substrate during water change.
During initial setup, use Sherwin's method above.

[hwchoy]

for new tank the best method has to be the paper method described by Sherwin. I actually use a plastic bag (NTUC Fairprice), cut open and lay it on the substrate. THen just hose the water onto the plastic bag.

Now I have such stubborn hairgrass, I can take the whole bucket and pour straight in, gives the grass a good flush!

[vinz]

Juggler, That device stills splashes on the substrate until the water reaches the output.

Adding to Choy's method... cut a hole at the sealed end of the bag, stick the end of the hose thru and secure with rubber band. This will prevent the plastic bag from floating away and reduces a lot of the output pressure.

[robin]

I put a scoop on the substrate. Those you used to bathe with last time or water plants. Then i pour the water into the scoop and let it trickle down.

Regards
Robin

[Goondoo]

Well, I use a trash bag, put a A4 size styrofoam sheet inside it, water from tube aimed at the centre of the styrofoam. The styrofoam will ensure that the water pressure will not hit directly on one spot and the sides of the trash bag will distribute the water slowly and evenly. Since the whole set up will float as the water rise, got no problem with the water at all now.

[FC]

During last year planted arowana workshop, Joey used plastic bag tied to the hose, the plastic bag sealed end was then being sut to allow water to flow through. Looks simple and effective, I have not tried it.

[geoffrey]

Trash bag method works for me. Never had any problems.

[vinz]

FC, I tried it recently, works like a charm. As I described above...

[NinjaFly]

For those who had rainbars, attach the output to the rainbars and direct the output to the glass wall. I use this method when setting up my new 4ft with all the 40kg of gravel not washed!

For smaller tank, you can get a plastic container and place it on the gravel (just like putting a plastic bag) and pour your water into the container. Extra water will slowly overflow thus minimizing the disturbance on the gravel.

Anyone uses similar methods like me?

[FC]

Thanks Vinz for the answer, I will try that for my new tank.

Yah, talking about gravel, I knew of a friend who setup planted tank for people, he said he NEVER wash the gravel for all his setups. I am sure he meant that but I just cannot accept that. The last time, when I washed my new gravel, they are unbeleiveable filty. I have to stir them like washing machine and rinse them for 4~5 times before I consider them clean.

Hi all, what is your experience?

[juggler]

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On 3/13/2003 10:36:18 AM

Thanks Vinz for the answer, I will try that for my new tank.

Yah, talking about gravel, I knew of a friend who setup planted tank for people, he said he NEVER wash the gravel for all his setups. I am sure he meant that but I just cannot accept that. The last time, when I washed my new gravel, they are unbeleiveable filty. I have to stir them like washing machine and rinse them for 4~5 times before I consider them clean.

Hi all, what is your experience?
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For a recent tank I setup, I did not wash the gravel. The water was cloudy but cleared up after a week. This time the Ocean Free Super Clear did not help at all. The filter did the job eventually.

[geoffrey]

I don't wash my gravel (Lonestar and Europet) too. Cloudiness settled overnight. Must be the quality of the gravels.

[vinz]

Depends on the brand. My experience:

Aqua Colisa: a lot of sediment... must rinse at least 3 times by my standard. Even then, when you fill the tank, a thin layer of very fine sediment floats on the surface of the water. Water itself is reasonably clear.

Lonestar(?) Lapis sand: Never used personally, but witnessed first hand during Teo's 9ft setup... the gravel was not washed at all (imagine washing that much gravel []) and no noticeable cloudiness observed at all during filling.

Seachem Flourite Red: A lot of sediments (dust, in their words). Worse then Aqua Colisa. After washing, the tank was still cloudy. After planting a third of the tank (100cm x 45cm base) it was so cloudy, I couldn't see the halfway into the tank. But the water cleared by the next day as if nothing happened. I certainly hope Flourite is worthwhile as a plant substrate.

[sherchoo]

I have used the scoop method but I found it not very good as and when the water overflow over the side, it will dig down on the gravel. The paper method works very well as the water hits the paper it will flow to the side rather than downwards when you used a scoop or a container.

[vinz]

Alternatively, scoop on paper or plastic bag... the weight of the full scoop will prevent the paper/bag from floating away which usually happens when the water is just deep enough for it to float off the gravel.