Cloudy tank - how do I fix this?

[HeliAngel]

I have started up a new tank and the water is still quite cloudy after a few days of filtration.

I think it is suspended clay-like silt from where I haven't washed the sand substrate properly.

In the filter I have used the old filter wool from my little tank as well as black wool pads and ceramic noodles

that came the tank (it's an Aqua One AR980).

Do I need extra filtration to clear the water or should I just keep doing partial water changes until the suspension clear?

I'm pretty sure it's not a bacterial bloom as it's been cloudy since I first filled it and has cleared about 75% but the last 25% just won't budge!!

[smidey]

if they are solid particles then mechanical filtration will remove it. the more you filter per hour the faster it will be picked up. rinse the solids out of the filter wool or pads so it can hold more, it may be letting the particles back into the tank defeating the prupose of doing it in the first place.

[F15hguy]

if your sure it isn't bacterial try a flocculant like Aquaclear.

just a small note though, flocculants lose their effectiveness if they are overdosed..

I always gravel syphon while im doing an initial fill, it gets rid of all that stuff....

[livingart]

do a 50% water change

ensuring not to disturb the substrate with water flow

[F15hguy]

also once it has cleared wash out the wool parts as they can clog quite quickly with that sort of thing

[Sophia]

but wash the filter wool with old tank water, not new water :smln: