Sand: settle or filter?

[DAVIDFBT]

I recently went on a camping trip (That's why I wasn't here) and out by the river I saw some really nice sand. So I took back about 50-60 pounds worth and when I rinsed it out, the sand was really dirty. I tried to rinse it as best I could, but I got tired and just threw it in my 10 gallon goldfish tank (The whole tank is empty right now).

And so I was wondering should I let the sand settle or should I turn on my filter and try to suck it out? The cloudiness is about 5 inches of visibiltity right now and it is mud and not particles of sand. I have a Whisper 20 on the tank right now.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

unless you have a sponge over the intake i wouldnt turn the filter on. also.... prob will just end up tossing it..... no idea what was in the water.

 

[gabrie30]

I agree with MG, however if your keen on keeping it I would siphon the all the water out, put some plastic wrap over the sand, then slowly pour new water back in.

 

[Fishy_Fun]

you could always boil the sand to get rid of any unwanted pests and diseases.if you really like it i would try that.

 

[jm1212]

maybe make a terrarium with it instead?

 

[DAVIDFBT]

well, how does this sound? I put on stretched sheets of cotton balls to filter out the dirt with the fine cotton.

 

[satanpie]

put it in a turkey tray in your oven with some water, that will sterilize it