How do you rinse sand?

[shawmutt]

OK, I got the sand, now how do I rinse it? (I figured I'm more likely to get a response from you sw guys)

[BillyZ]

but i'll bet you weren't expecting us to tell you not to rinse it 8)

There is certainly a difference of opinion on this matter, but many feel that you should not rinse the sand. The DSB can benifit from the diverse grain size, including the silt sized particles. Yes, this will make the water cloudy when you first set up the tank, but for initial set ups this really isn't a big deal. If you're swaping out your substrate for sand, then I could understand your wanting to reduce the amount of silt floating in the tank.

[fishfreek]

I think this is for a FW cichlid tank.

This is how I have seen it done.

Get a 5 gal bucket and fill it about 1/2 full of sand. Then take this outside and start your garden hose and set it in the bucket. Get something like a boom handle or something to stir the sand up. Let the bucket overflow with water while your slowly mixing the sand up in the bucket. The lightest and smallest particles should rise up and flow over the top of the bucket. Do this for like 5 min and then take the hose out of the bucket and gently tip the bucket some to pour out the water till you get down to your sand.

Repeat the above process 1 more time.

Dump sand and repeat above steps till all sand is rinsed.

[BillyZ]

I think this is for a FW cichlid tank.

Oh! well then... yea.. what he said

[shawmutt]

well, let's say I have an apartment with no access to a garden hose--can I do it in the bathtub? Am I aiming to just get rid of silt or are bigger particles coming out? .

[Gauge]

Nothing but empathy here for you, shaw. I have to go over to my parents' house every time I have to wash something out for my tank. Why don't apartments have hoses? Mine has a garage, for crying out loud. You'd think a hose would go well with that!

[BillyZ]

all you'll want to get out is the silt. you could use the spray nozel in your kitchen sink if you have one but you'll want to be a little more careful to not get too much water turbulance going or you'll start kicking out the actual sand, and too much sand in your drains can cause plumbing problems.

[shawmutt]

Thanks guys