I am starting to set up my first soil based 40 gallon planted aquarium - no plants or fish at this early stage. I have mineralized top soil covered with Estes black gravel, slate caves along with 2 small slate pieces buried and a large piece of mopani DW. I also have 2 Aqueon filters running with floss, activated carbon and some bio rings. I just added a Deep Blue Solarmax light fixture with 2-39 watt bulbs (5000K and 6700K on for 10 hours) and a 150 watt heater. I used a combination of aquarium water from 2 up and running tanks mixed with tap water treated with Tetra Aqua Safe+. One of the bio-ring bags is from a running tank and should be full of beneficial bacteria. The water appears white cloudy but when I scoop some up in a white plastic cup it looks only slightly beige. I am also seeing a white cotton-like substance on part of my large piece of mopani driftwood which was soaked in a plastic tub for months before it was introduced into the tank. Will this clear by itself with everything I have up and running or should I change what I am doing? I heard that adding a couple of hardy fish will add ammonia and speed things along? Thanks to any and all for advice and info.