How Long Shoud This Take?

[Incitic]

I have found some regular sand to use in my tank. After 3 hours of washing out the sand it is much cleaner than before but still water comes out murky when I run it through. How long should this take? Does the water have to be crystal clear for it to be clean?

My tank is a 2 and a half footer. I have enough sand for an inch of depth.

 

[CFC]

I can wash 25kg of sand in about 15 minutes. All i do is put the sand into a large plastic bin and then run the hose into the bin at full blast while stirring the sand and water around with a stick, allow the water to run over the lip of the bin (its best if you do this either in a bath or in the garden), once the water runs clear your done.

 

[Incitic]

I can wash 25kg of sand in about 15 minutes. All i do is put the sand into a large plastic bin and then run the hose into the bin at full blast while stirring the sand and water around with a stick, allow the water to run over the lip of the bin (its best if you do this either in a bath or in the garden), once the water runs clear your done.

Not sure if I can do that because of water restrictions here.

Nice tip though.

 

[kris-b-]

My sand took me about half an hour to wash, all I did was throw some sand in a bucket and fill it up and just move my hands through it, empty the water out and do it again until it's clear! You must have some dirty sand!!

 

[Incitic]

Its play sand thats been in the backyard a while.

 

[littleimp]

I go with cfc on this one, I washed 75kgs of playsand using this tried & tested matter yesterday in around an hour. But.........all depends on how dirty it is in the first place.

When you swish the sand around you will find it will foam up. This foam has a high content of protein. (this is what a protein skimmer in a salt water tank extracts in case anyone is wondering). After you get that first lot of crap out it's normally pretty clear & the rest of the process is quick.

 

[Incitic]

I go with cfc on this one, I washed 75kgs of playsand using this tried & tested matter yesterday in around an hour. But.........all depends on how dirty it is in the first place.

When you swish the sand around you will find it will foam up. This foam has a high content of protein. (this is what a protein skimmer in a salt water tank extracts in case anyone is wondering). After you get that first lot of crap out it's normally pretty clear & the rest of the process is quick.

I have gotten pass that stage but the water just keeps coming up mirky.

 

[MarkR]

My sand took me about half an hour to wash, all I did was throw some sand in a bucket and fill it up and just move my hands through it, empty the water out and do it again until it's clear! You must have some dirty sand!!

I used exactly the same method and took about the same time.

 

[littleimp]

I go with cfc on this one, I washed 75kgs of playsand using this tried & tested matter yesterday in around an hour. But.........all depends on how dirty it is in the first place.

When you swish the sand around you will find it will foam up. This foam has a high content of protein. (this is what a protein skimmer in a salt water tank extracts in case anyone is wondering). After you get that first lot of crap out it's normally pretty clear & the rest of the process is quick.

I have gotten pass that stage but the water just keeps coming up mirky.

Is it murky or is it the sand blowing around, leave it to settle a few mins & use a glass to bring out some of the water from the top??

If it's still murky after more than half hour of vigourous washing I would say thay this sand is probably no good for aquarium use & has probably got a large proportion of clay mixed in ( our beach sand is like that)

 

[Squid]

I am about to buy a tank and would like sand in mine too.. What sand should i get, and where do they sell it? Does it all need cleaning, or does it depend on the source..

BTW. is this sand or gravel... looks nice SquidHere

is sand easier to look after if you hoover up well

Cheers

 

[kris-b-]

I am about to buy a tank and would like sand in mine too.. What sand should i get, and where do they sell it? Does it all need cleaning, or does it depend on the source..

BTW. is this sand or gravel... looks nice SquidHere

is sand easier to look after if you hoover up well

Cheers

Where are you? If you are in the UK I got some play sand from Argos for £2.49, it looks nice and has a white/gold colour to it and it only took me about half an hour to clean. There are quite a few types of sand that you can get but play sand is the cheapest! Check out the pinned thread by The-Wolf on sand substrate, it's very good!

 

[Squid]

Bargain... will do.. sold.. well done that man!

 

[littleimp]

Unfortunately argos don't have it in their current catalogue as it's now gone into winter. The sand I have bought is from homebase under the supamix brand. 25kg £3.99

Cleans very quickly in case anyone asks & is very fine.

 

[Squid]

its on their website.. weird.. Argos

but homebase is probably just as easy for me.. everything i usually want in the argos catalogue is part of the "extra" stuff and is never in.. needs to be ordered.. pah..

Squid

 

[kris-b-]

I've got the winter catologue and its in there! They had 25 in stock when I went to buy it! Page 1609 in the bottom right hand corner of the catologue! But Homebase/B&Q have some aswell!