how to minimize cloudiness in a new tank..

ok so i was browzing the internet and came across something that some one did that was could work for this situation..

he didnt bother washing his gravel.. he basically got the look he wanted, filled it up 20-25% of the way and obviously the tank was merky.. but he then drains his tank and refills it untill water runs almost clear! im sure this method saves water too..

i have a problem with this though because if you do some planting at a later stage the debri stuck under the clean gravel will kick up a mess again or if fish mess around with your gravel, it will kick up another mess..

so i was thinking, instead of not washing, still wash your gravel but when it is in your tank, fill it 25% then drain repeat untill almost clear.. im sure this will be the a very effective way?

oh and rem to use excess water on ur garden not in the toilet

 

Sounds like a waste to me. Wash gravel and fill up tank. Run a strong filter filled with only filter floss and its usaully crystal clear the next morning.

 

Put gravel outside in a big container... put hose INTO the gravel and swirl the hosepipe in the gravel. Let the water overflow and run onto the grass. (Not wasting)

Then do what Vis says... filter on HIGH, lots of floss, and viola 24 hours later it's clean.

 

True boet

 

ok ok.. thoughts of lazy cleans *GONE*

 

ok looking back at the thread again, the guy was using one of those fancy shmanshy ADA type soils for his planted tanks.. aparently they have the same consistency as baked clay so washing is out of the question hence his method..

 

Makes more sense Washing mud is nuts

 

esp when it costs an arm and a leg!!