washing sand

[ogh1156]

I am setting up a 55 with sand and read in a post it should be washed. How do I go about washing 100# of play sand??? I thought about putting it in a pillowcase & rinsing untill the water stops running cloudy. Any tips or suggestions here?? Thanks in advance. Owen.

 

[smithrc]

dustbin + hose pipe

keep swishing it about and jetting the water at it - leave it to overflow untill it is clear.

and then do it some more

get some filter wool for the filter too - it help clear what is missed.

 

[emo]

I'm going to be trying the pillowcase idea for the next tank I do. But for my current one, I used the bucket/hose method mentioned by smithrc.

It took me ages to do the sand for my 10g, but I was pretty thorough. You'll probably never get 100% of the silt and dust out but it's definetally worth cleaning a bit.


If you do use the pillowcase method, keep us posted on how you get on.

 

[ogh1156]

Thanks for the replies. I think I will try both ways to see which works best. I will post my preference when done. This must be why the sand sold in the pet shops is so expensive. I may lose some weight in the process. Thanks again. Owen

 

[Spilk]

I'm a lazy jerk hehe, my suggestion is get a python, fill up your tank, leave it running and just keep swirling the sand as it pumps in the good and out the bad. Whole thing done in under an hour!

 

[colegamby]

it took me a good 30 minutes to do enough sand for my ten gallon. i cant imagina doin enough for a 55

 

[ogh1156]

I ended up filling a 5 gal bucket half full of sand in the sink and running both hot & cold faucets wide open and constantly mixing & stirring with my hands. The dirty water overflowed & I kept at it untill the water ran clear. It took about 2 1/2 hrs to do about 75# of sand this way I thought the pillowcase would clog like filter media so I didnt even try it, It may still work better I just didnt try it. If I do sand again I will hold out for pool filter sand, I hear it is alot cleaner to start with. Now I need some maylasian trumpet snails to keep it loosened up. I asked the lfs for some this weekend when buying fish and they claimed not to have any even though they were climbing all over the glass of at least 5 of thier tanks, I dont think the guy netting fish knew what they were. I will educate them on my next visit & get some for free. If they dont know what they are, They cant charge me for them