Rinsing sand

Ab129 · 07/14/2017, 01:56 PM

Using the Carib sea sugar sized dry sand.
I've been reading past threads on rinsing and the consensus is to put the sand in a 5 gal container and rinse with a garden hose a couple times, possibly doing a final rinse with rodi.
But do I just run the water into the bucket on top of the sand?
Do I have to agitate it?
Are the finer particles going to just float to the surface where They can pour off with the water as it overflows the bucket?
Sorry, I know I ask a lot of questions but would like to do things right.
Thanks for any replies!

mcgyvr · 07/14/2017, 01:57 PM

yes
yes
yes

Nerayan · 07/14/2017, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ab129

Using the Carib sea sugar sized dry sand.
I've been reading past threads on rinsing and the consensus is to put the sand in a 5 gal container and rinse with a garden hose a couple times, possibly doing a final rinse with rodi.
But do I just run the water into the bucket on top of the sand?
Do I have to agitate it?
Are the finer particles going to just float to the surface where They can pour off with the water as it overflows the bucket?
Sorry, I know I ask a lot of questions but would like to do things right.
Thanks for any replies!

Just shove the hose in there and wait until the water turns clear. You can agitate the sand to get all the cloudiness to rise. Some people rinse with RO and some say no need. If you have RO water at hand why not use it.

I didn't use RODI water after I rinsed mine and my tank was fine. No algae as I also kept my lights off.

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Ab129 · 07/14/2017, 04:24 PM

So I guess I should shove the hose down through the sand to the bottom and stir it up with a piece of pvc and I should be good?

Ron Reefman · 07/14/2017, 04:27 PM

I found it much easier to push the hose in and 'swish' the sand around with my other hand. That way I found some bigger bits of shell and rock I didn't want in the sand. Just do it until the water flowing out of the bucket runs clear.

Nerayan · 07/14/2017, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ab129

So I guess I should shove the hose down through the sand to the bottom and stir it up with a piece of pvc and I should be good?

Stir it up at first. Then leave the hose at the bottom and let the water run clear/clean. You'll see the difference as all the cloudy stuff floats out.

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ca1ore · 07/15/2017, 08:47 PM

The amount of water left in the sand is negligible; really no need to waste RODI on this task.

billdogg · 07/16/2017, 07:13 AM

IME, you need to rinse it very well to avoid clouding the tank for days afterwards. Tap water is just fine for this.

Here's how I do it:

I use the utility sink in my fish room. I made a standpipe for it that sticks up about 6" from the drain. Put your sand, a few pounds at a time, in a clean 5g bucket. Place bucket in the sink and start the water running. Stir the sand continuously - I use a 4" plastic putty knife. Allow the water to overflow the bucket into the sink. Don't worry about any sand that might go over the top too - the standpipe allows it to settle out while at the same time allowing the fines (dust) to go down the drain. When the water in the bucket runs clear, you are done with the first batch. Pour as much water out of the bucket as you can and then remove the sand to another bucket (the putty knife, again, works well for this). Repeat the process until all your sand has been cleaned. You will have some sand (a lot?) in the sink. Carefully remove the standpipe and allow the water to drain while trapping the sand in a corner and then transfer that sand to the final bucket as well.

Aren't you glad all that sand didn't go down the drain? Not only is it a waste of money, so is the call to the plumber for the clogged drain! (don't ask how I know this, just take my word for it)

If you are really concerned, a final rinse in RODI can be done - I've never seen the point, myself.

C.Eymann · 07/16/2017, 07:45 AM

While the 5 gallon bucket swishing works great, get a cheapo pillow case, I feel it works far better.

Clowning_Around · 07/17/2017, 05:46 PM

I used one of these http://www.homedepot.com/p/Workforce...36WF/202061360 it helped sled the process up but not required

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07/14/2017, 01:56 PM	#1
Ab129 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 367	Rinsing sand Using the Carib sea sugar sized dry sand. I've been reading past threads on rinsing and the consensus is to put the sand in a 5 gal container and rinse with a garden hose a couple times, possibly doing a final rinse with rodi. But do I just run the water into the bucket on top of the sand? Do I have to agitate it? Are the finer particles going to just float to the surface where They can pour off with the water as it overflows the bucket? Sorry, I know I ask a lot of questions but would like to do things right. Thanks for any replies!

07/14/2017, 01:57 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	yes yes yes __________________ Who me?

07/14/2017, 04:27 PM	#5
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	I found it much easier to push the hose in and 'swish' the sand around with my other hand. That way I found some bigger bits of shell and rock I didn't want in the sand. Just do it until the water flowing out of the bucket runs clear. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

07/15/2017, 08:47 PM	#7
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	The amount of water left in the sand is negligible; really no need to waste RODI on this task. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

07/16/2017, 07:13 AM	#8
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	IME, you need to rinse it very well to avoid clouding the tank for days afterwards. Tap water is just fine for this. Here's how I do it: I use the utility sink in my fish room. I made a standpipe for it that sticks up about 6" from the drain. Put your sand, a few pounds at a time, in a clean 5g bucket. Place bucket in the sink and start the water running. Stir the sand continuously - I use a 4" plastic putty knife. Allow the water to overflow the bucket into the sink. Don't worry about any sand that might go over the top too - the standpipe allows it to settle out while at the same time allowing the fines (dust) to go down the drain. When the water in the bucket runs clear, you are done with the first batch. Pour as much water out of the bucket as you can and then remove the sand to another bucket (the putty knife, again, works well for this). Repeat the process until all your sand has been cleaned. You will have some sand (a lot?) in the sink. Carefully remove the standpipe and allow the water to drain while trapping the sand in a corner and then transfer that sand to the final bucket as well. Aren't you glad all that sand didn't go down the drain? Not only is it a waste of money, so is the call to the plumber for the clogged drain! (don't ask how I know this, just take my word for it) If you are really concerned, a final rinse in RODI can be done - I've never seen the point, myself. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

07/14/2017, 04:24 PM	#4
Ab129 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 367	So I guess I should shove the hose down through the sand to the bottom and stir it up with a piece of pvc and I should be good?

07/16/2017, 07:45 AM	#9
C.Eymann Cnidaria lover Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Winterpark FL Posts: 1,483	While the 5 gallon bucket swishing works great, get a cheapo pillow case, I feel it works far better. __________________ "I glue animals to rocks" Current Tank Info: 80gal build in the works

07/17/2017, 05:46 PM	#10
Clowning_Around Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 527	I used one of these http://www.homedepot.com/p/Workforce...36WF/202061360 it helped sled the process up but not required Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk __________________ Build http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2638892 Parameters: Temp 77-79degF, Specific Gravity 1.023-1.024, PH 8.1-8.4, Alk 8-12, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 0, Phosphate <.2, Calc 3 Current Tank Info: Custom Oak Stand \| 75G FO Display \| 40G Breeder Sump \| MarinePure Ceramic Media Plate \| Eshopps x-120 skimmer \| Mag9 Return \| Aqua Ultraviolet Advantage 2000+ 15w