Playsand needs a rinsing?

NeonFlux

NeonFlux

Water agent
Oct 16, 2005
2,293
3
38
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Los Angeles, California
Real Name
William
How do I go on washing 50 lbs of play sand and how long does it take? Wash it with water in a 5 lb. bucket? What's the EASIEST way to wash play sand effectively, mess-free, and in a short period of time? I have over five 50 lbs for a 250 gallon arowana tank.... Any advice?
 
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I positioned my python in the center bottom of a 5 gallon bucket then poured one bag play sand in around it, turned the water on. I let it run until the water over flowing from the bucket was almost clear, tipping the bucket slightly to pour off the scum (about 30-45 minutes per bag). I then poured almost all of the water off of the sand and dumped the sand into the tank, repositioned the python and started on the next bag. When I filled the tank up with water, I only had cloudiness for about 3 hours.
 
I've used white play sand in a few tanks and haven't even had to rinse it, I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of cloudiness adding water, even just blasting it into the sand when I filled the tank.
 
Mgamer20o0 said:
best is just to get pool filter sand. its slow and long cleaning all that substrate.
Click to expand...

+1, Pool filter sand is a larger grain. Heavier than delicate play sand, but if you already procured play sand, I would follow the good advice from snoopy65.
 
I once saw a suggestion to use a pillowcase. Dump in some sand, shove a hose end into it, and sort of massage the case/sand until the water runs clear.

I just rinsed out Black Blast sand ($7 for 50 lbs, sandblasting sand) using a bucket since it was only for a 5.5g tank. I just dumped about 10-15 lbs (had Flourite Sand already from 2.5g) and rinsed really well for about 20 minutes. Blasted away with the hose and stirred with my hand. I'd let it settle for a few seconds and then pour off the cloudy water.
 
Great resource on sand rinsing jpappy. +1 for the link, and A+ for you!

-Aaron
 
It takes a long, LONG time. I rinsed it (home depot play sand) 7-8 times in a 5 gallon bucket. Each time pouring off scum and cloudiness, then poured each bucket into the tank (100 gallon). Then filled and emptied the tank 3 times. That got probably 95% of it. Maybe you'll get a cleaner batch of sand than I did.
 
Looks like Pool filter sand is teh winnar. ☺ I haven't opened up one bag as of yet. Going to return them and go to home depot to find PFS. Thanks a ton for all of the responses, guys. Jpap, I'll look into that link, props for you.
 
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