Newly Planted Dirt Tank

This is day 8 of water changes in this new dirted tank and yesterday I did a 50% water change and the water was much clearer with just a little bit of cloudiness. I added my heater & prime thinking I would add a few fish to begin the cycle. Well when I woke up this morning this was the result.

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At this point its been 8 days of water changes and I thought becuase the water was much clearer before the water changed yesterday I was almost at the end of this tunnel. I'm not if I should continue any further in this process. This is a pic of the tank before the water change yesterday.

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Comment by Conrad on April 7, 2013 at 1:59pm: I have a newly planted tank also and have been waiting a week for the water to clear up, but I keep moving things around in there. Now that I am done moving things, it should clear up, but I may throw a sponge filter in there to help clear the water. I used Eco Complete as a substrate. I have done 3 30% water changes this week. It doesn't seem to help, but I'm sure it will work itself out over the next week or so. Just got to be patient. i want fish so bad, but I am not putting them in there until those plants are rooted well and start growing.

Comment by Raymond Boulanger on April 7, 2013 at 3:04pm: if your not already i suggest runnig an air stone for now tell you get more plants i ran and air stone first thing in my 55 and 44 and the water cleared up with the extra circulation. I actually still run air stones on both my tanks yeah its not pretty but its a just in case for my fish buddies also try cleaning your mechancal filter media i kno the first few days mine was beyound dirty. you could also try filter floss(pillow stuff 100% poly.) really cleans the water, just stuff it in ur filter its like 5 bucks for a good size bag last awhile

Comment by GSP on April 9, 2013 at 3:08pm: you just need more plants... Plants are natural water clarifiers.

Comment by LED on April 10, 2013 at 11:27pm: yup yup, you need tons more plants. Like we discussed in the chat room =)

Comment by GSP on April 13, 2013 at 2:27pm: MOAR PLANTS PLEASE

Comment by just_ray on April 14, 2013 at 12:13am

Comment by GSP on April 14, 2013 at 12:25am: Some good start up plants in there. Water looks much clearer.
If the sword plants big old leaves have melted, just cut/tear em off.

Comment by Fry on April 15, 2013 at 2:45pm: Cap the bottom with a couple inches of White silica sand, it will keep your water clearer . had the same problem sanded it and did a water change keeps the dirt out of the water.