sand washing

[labiris]

I bought 230kg of sand already prepared for a ocean direct dsb existing ..... As for the security I would like to wash ... could you give me some advice?

Thanks in advance

Sorry for my english but i'm italian guy:twitch:

 

[syrinx]

I would use a 5 gallon bucket and just rinse the sand well. Sand is difficult to wash because it gets suspended it the rinse water-so you can only do a small amount at a time. on occasion with large amounts like you have- I will rinse it in the bag.Just do the best you can- it wont ever really be clean like gravel could be-and the dust will settle!

 

[labiris]

thanks a lot
Just use only osmosis water or do I add vinegar or muriatic acid in small doses???


thanks

 

[streak]

i wouldnt use any chemical to the sand.. If i had that amout of sand to wash.. i would get a sifting screen its basically its made from 2x4's square with a tight screen on bottom box they use to sift for gold out west.. put in 10-15 lbs of sand and wash mix shake wash.. viola.. well it also depends on the grain size as well.. if its fine oolite.. then i dono.. but if ist 2-4 mm agranite.. you might get away with general home depot window screen..

 

[syrinx]

Fine to use tap water,no chemicals. Your just trying to get some of the dust off.

 

[Hookup]

I used a cement mixer, home grade with plastic (PVC?) barrel. I've never gotten better results... I happened to have access to one, so I tried it... And used tap water... Loads of it.

 

[Agu]

Years ago I moved a tank and after smelling the sand decided to replace it. Not wanting to throw away the old sand I rinsed at as recommended above, dried it, and put it in some buckets. A few months later I decided to use the "clean" sand in another new tank. As water was being added an amazing amount of crud fouled the water and/or floated to the surface. So I stirred up the sand and siphoned out the dirty water. When I added more water it was amazingly clean.

My thought is that by drying the sand all the organic waste dried out also and would float in the water column making it easy to remove. Ever since any sand I wanted to reuse has been completely dried.

 

[Blown 346]

I agree, Normal tap water is fine. I use a 5 gallon bucket. Pour in about a quarter of sand and fill with water, then swish your hand around and slowly drain the water. Continue until the water runs almost clear.

 

[labiris]

ok, thanks guys
i'll use a 5 gallon bucket and normal tap water.
also i'll use a lot of patience.

I hope go well

P.S: before putting the sand in the tank that I have to wait to dry?

thanks a lot

 

[syrinx]

No need to wait for it to dry. Some folks add water to tank with sand already in- others(myself included) add it after the tank is pretty much filled up. To do it this way put sand in a bag and lower it into tank- then slowly pour it out. Suprisingly this often creates less cloud than dumping in buckets of salt water on the sand bed. Either way there will be some cloudyness no matter how clean you get the sand!

 

[labiris]

well
i think i use the first method because i'll use the tank as a conteiner for washed sand.

tomorrow i'll start to wash.