cant get rid of murky water!

[Ebingham817]

i have a 40 gallon tank, with a cpr over flow, 10 gallon sump and a protein skimmer. i mixed up about 40 gallons of saltwater, i put my live rock and and sand in, and after a couple days my water became really murky. i turned off all my pumps and stuff to see if it was just the sand floating, but after 36 hours and its barely cleared up i dont know what to do. i stuck my hand in the water and it was really slimy? what should i do??

 

[greeneyed]

What color murky?
Was the rock live rock? Sand?
I agree, let everything run.

 

[starscream]

Patience, it's probably just cycling. Wait till you detect nitrates and see your ammonia and nitrites at zero, it will clear up for ya. You could probably cut the skimmer off until the tank is fully cycled. The skimmer removing organics can have a delay in your tank cycling. Cheers!

 

[Guest]

Dfwmas is having dfwmas days at Neptune's cove tomorrow in Plano you can bring some water there and we will test it for free you. also give you some advice on the tank if we can't answer the question bill will prob know the answer

 

[Ebingham817]

Thanks guys for the advice, so this is part of the cycling?

 

[starscream]

Yea, it's a bacterial bloom. I would cut the skimmer until the tank is cycled.

 

[Ebingham817]

How long does this usually last??

 

[starscream]

It really varies depending on your setup. The best advice I can give you is to wait it out. The nutrients (ammonia, nitrites & nitrates) in the water will be your best indicators as to where you are within the cycle. Here's more info about the nitrification cycle: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/dw/index.php