Should I still wash the sand?

[BullTerrierChild25 10]

I am doing a complete makeover of my 29-gallon aquarium and bought 100lbs of play sand from a local Home Depot today.

Both bags are from Sakrete and are made of plastic, not a paper box, and claim to be pre-washed and screened.

My question is: should I still wash them? I've used this exact type of sand before in a different project two years ago and it didn't come across me to wash them. The tank turned out fine.

Also, is play sand a good and safe substrate for plants and burrowing fish like I believe? Thank you for your help!

 

[CaptainBarnicles15 2]

You should be fine but a quick rinse wont hurt

 

[BullTerrierChild25 10]

Thank you! Should I be concerned about using it? I see that it has mixed reactions. I am planning to get peacock eels and maybe a freshwater sole fish, and I'd like to make sure that they can burrow easily.

I am also planning on getting plants that will be buried under the layer (3-4 in) of sand into Fluval Stratum. Will that work or will the sand be too constraining?

 

[Death by Fish Tanks]

As a rule of thumb, always wash sand

 

[Rusty_Shackleford45 161]

What's another quick rinse going to hurt? A half hour of time maybe?

 

[BullTerrierChild25 10]

Ok, sounds good. I assumed so and bought new buckets for the occasion as well! Thank you for the help.

 

[bgarthe46 64]

Yes…by all means, rinse it and repeat……and then do it one more time. Remember…..these are your fish you’re preparing for and trusting to luck should not be an option.

 

[Back in the fold2]

Wash it . You don’t know where it came from .

 

[BullTerrierChild25 10]

Thank you! I will do so tomorrow if it's safe to be outside. Hoping for the best here and wishing the best for those in Canada.

 

[Whitecloudminnowguy09]

I have washed sand for my tanks, and then, I have not wash sand for my tanks. No problems with any of them. Am I lucky? Could be. I know you already have the feedback, but just to throw my personal opinion (helpful or not, prolly not) out there, washing it never has hurt anyone. So I say, wash it.

 

[Uberhoust2 1]

With you being on the opposite side of the continent our suppliers, and sources for sand are likely different, but, in my experience you need to wash the play sand even if it is washed and sterilized. I have purchased a few different brands over the years and have had some that is quite good but most have had a lot of silt and clay in it that can make it take a long time for your tank to clear. I know play sand is often recommended but I find it quite dirty most of the time.