cloudy water!

Question
We bought some sand at our local pet store (they  told us it was fish safe) the bag didnt say anything about it being for fish or pets but they assured us. We put it in a new set up with no fish last night, the water is REALLY cloudy and white. After 12 hours it is still just as cloudy, we have the big filter going but it isnt helping at all.  We did a water change of about 75% but we aren't seeing results. Im worried about the bredding jack dempsey pair that was meant to live in there and their babies. I would be heart broken to lose them.  Maybe you can help. If it means we switch to gravel then we do that, we just know our pair like to move the little gravel around so we were thinking they would enjoy the sand better.

Answer
Hi Niki: Gravel and sand have to be washed before you put in your tank otherwise it will cloud the tank for about 3 days. You can put a water clarifier in the tank for particles and see if that helps... The fish would probably be ok in there so long as the water chemistry is good... dave