Washing Substrate

[Gav_B_UK]

I've done a quick search but couldnt find a relevant answer.....

I am doing a 50/50 mix of Florite and Silver Sand for my substrate. Bottom layer will be florite, top will be sand.

I started washing some florite this evening and I couldnt seem to get it totally clear. Rinse a 1/4 bucket about 8 times and it was still murky. Will it ever clear...or is this about as good as it gets?

Also...how do I wash the silver sand?? Whats the best method.....

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bloo]

Stop washing It's enough. It will settle soon when the filter is up and running. You can add a carbon pad for the first few hours or until the water is clear to help along.

See pinned topics on sand

 

[NAL]

Hi

That's right, stop washing! One thing you might find with your substrate is that it becomes mixed over time because Flourite is quite coarse and the sand will find it's way into the pore spaces between. Best way to fill is to put the substrate in, put a small amount of water in sufficient just to start seeing it flood the front of the tank, plant up then fill. To fill without becoming cloudy, place a small plate on the bottom and slowly pour water on that-it will gently fill and minimise clouding. Even if you do get some cloudiness it will eventually settle or be removed by mechanical filtration. I wouldn't bother with carbon, as it is really designed to remove chemical contaminants not suspended particles of silt, sand...

Nick

 

[anvil63]

I washed sand once and I felt my method worked pretty well.

I filled a 5gal bucket up about 1/4 - 1/3 of the way w/ sand then filled it with water up to the top. I then reached in and started stirring with my hand forall I was worth. After a bit the water was really murky so I poured it out (minding the sand of course) and repeated two more times.

After putting it in the tank it clouded the water a bit, but nothing compared to the mud soup looking disaster I have made with flourite (I got impatient washing the 200 lbs I bought for my tank)

Carl