Disinfecting sand

[JuiceBox52]

I would remove the sand and rinse it in a bucket a number of times

 

[kerncake233]

Yeah might have to... Shoulda done that when I baked it in batches. Getting to be an incredible amount of work.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Yeah might have to... Shoulda done that when I baked it in batches. Getting to be an incredible amount of work.

Maybe just buy new sand?

 

[kerncake233]

Maybe just buy new sand?

Woulda done that weeks ago but the kind I like was all out, literally everywhere. And now that I've salted, baked, rinsed, rinsed, rinsed, and repeated, it's all back in stock. Basically I'm just wondering if a little salt in the sand that's left is gonna be ok for the fish.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Woulda done that weeks ago but the kind I like was all out, literally everywhere. And now that I've salted, baked, rinsed, rinsed, rinsed, and repeated, it's all back in stock. Basically I'm just wondering if a little salt in the sand that's left is gonna be ok for the fish.

Probably not if its soft water fish you are wanting. If you wanted rift lake cichlids or livebearers it would be fine

 

[Colin_T]

How long are you leaving the water in the tank for before draining it?
Fill or half fill the tank with freshwater, stir the sand, leave it for 24 hours and then drain it and refill it. Do that a few more times and it should come good.

When it no longer tastes like salt you can set it up again.

The stuff on the plants could be calcium build up, which might explain why it doesn't come off that easily.

 

[kerncake233]

How long are you leaving the water in the tank for before draining it?
Fill or half fill the tank with freshwater, stir the sand, leave it for 24 hours and then drain it and refill it. Do that a few more times and it should come good.

When it no longer tastes like salt you can set it up again.

The stuff on the plants could be calcium build up, which might explain why it doesn't come off that easily.

Yeah about 12 hours or so. I'll fill her a couple more times and wait longer in between draining and refilling. Thanks.

 

[ChefAlex]

kerncake233,

I know I am arriving to this party quite late and you have already taken many different steps of disinfecting your aquarium.

If you need to ever do a full system disinfecting please consider using potassium permanganate. It’s a water soluble oxidative agent with no toxic by products. It’s used in countless industries with many different uses, its a safe and effective medicinal treatment for various skin ailments (it’s considered as esssntial as aspirin or ibuprofen for its many pharmaceutical uses). It can be purchased online cheaply at Amazon or a good LFS might have some.

It’s been used in aquaria and pond systems for decades for treating fish diseases and disinfecting. Aquaculture facilities use this to clean out systems as well. I always keep some on hand for as a medicine, dipping plants or needing to sanitize a system like I would do periodically for dwarf seahorses.

As far as using it simply measure out the amount needed based on how many gallons you’re treating and add to the water. Obviously remove any activated carbon and biological filtration. I suggest getting a scale that measures in grams. Also be careful as it stains clothing and skin a bright purple color so wear gloves and don’t drop it on the carpet

To remove it from a system simply aerate the water, turn on the light (both oxygen and light reduce it efficacy) and add some carbon until the bright purple color of the water is greatly diminished. Then change your water as normally, refill and drain a few times. No need to remove any decor as nothing interacts with it. It will even help remove build up in canister filter hoses and any other hard to reach areas.

Hope this helps.

 

[kerncake233]

Just letting you guys know that I’m back up and running, tank is cycled, and I’ve been adding fish disease free for once.. Looking great, very happy!