How Do You Go About Rinsing Sand?

[Betta splendens]

Hi, well I'm about to set up a tank with sand substrate. I remember last time I did that, had 2 keep making water changes until it was clear....

So then people started telling me to rinse sand, like I would with rocks. The thing is, with rocks I use a cullender (spl) (the thing you'd rinse noodles or grapes or like lettuce). Obviously I can't do that with sand, so, how do I rinse sand?

 

[Betta5]

Put it in a bucket and fill with water and put your hand in and swish it about until there is lots of merky water. Tip the water out and repeat. Make sure you leave it a few seconds and the sand has settled before you tip the water out. Also if you do have merky tank water just leave it a few days and it will clear itself up.

 

[backtotropical]

I find it better to use a hose or tap to have a constant stream of running water. That way the dirt is overflowing the bucket whilst you are stirring the sand. Keep going until the bucket overflow is clear.

 

[Jabba]

Try this

Keep a steady flow of water going to the BOTTOM of the sand and put a few airstones in the bottom also and pump air through it. Then stir it every once in a while and providing the water isn't too fast but fast enough to overflow the tub then the very light dusty stuff will be lifted by the air and carried away by the water .... if you try it you will soon learn what flow ratecombination for air and water work best.

 

[Rooster]

I put mine in a bucket outside the kitchen window, then let a hose run for 10 mins - stir to taste ! LOL
All my sand is "play sand" which is pretty clean to start with... but you must do it until the water runs clean, or you'll be doing it in the tank

 

[Matty P]

I find it better to use a hose or tap to have a constant stream of running water. That way the dirt is overflowing the bucket whilst you are stirring the sand. Keep going until the bucket overflow is clear.

Will you not lose some sand by doing that?

 

[backtotropical]

Not if you keep a slow flow. I thought the same thing until i tried it. You'd be surprised. You really have to blast the water in to get the sand to overflow.

 

[Matty P]

Hey cheers backtotropical. I am starting up a 20 gallon brackish tank and will be using sand in it, so I w ill gice it a go.