frogster221

how do i clean sand for a freshwater aquarium i dont think a normal strainer will work will it? i dont want to mess up my sink

lilsoccakid

you dont take gravel out of water to clean it, you use a gravel vacumn by creating a siphon, and if you keep it about an inch above the sand, it will suck up only the poop, and not the sand

sirdarksol

I've never had any issues doing deep vacuums with sand. I can stick the gravel vac in about an inch and the sand falls back down (except for the really fine stuff that doesn't really matter).

hssea

i think frogsters talking about cleaning sand prior to putting into an aquarium. I've got four bags of sand that's going into a 20 gall(this will be my first sand tank). I've read the following:
1. soak until really water logged, and keep pouring off water /refilling till clear.
2.put in a pillow case and run water through until clear

Let me know i'll be doing the same thing soon. by the way what kind of sand are you using?

frogster221

i was talking about cleaning it pror thanks hssea
im not sure just trying to get ways of doing it before buying my LFS sells sand mede for FW aquariums so ill probably use that

GreenMan13

You can clean sand prior to putting it in the tank by just getting a bucket and filling it will tap water and sand and mixing it then pouring the cloudy water out and repeating until the water is not that cloudy anymore. Didn't know about pillow idea when I did it so I don't know how that will work out.

I would get pool filter sand over the fish store sand unless you want a specific color that you can't find as pool filter sand. The reason is cost. Pool filter sand I have heard is about $8 for 50lbs. I could be wrong about that. I used play sand which was $3 for 50lbs. The only reason I would not suggest this is that it take a long time to rinse. I spent about 8-10 hours rinsing 100lbs. Pool filter sand required little rinsing from what I have heard and would be worth the $5 extra dollars.

frogster221

would the pool filter sand have any negative effects on my fish though

GreenMan13

It has not for other people who have used it. It is just clean sand since it is used for cleaning pools. I don't think it has any chemicals in it. Just plain sand that has been washed so it doesn't cloud the pool.

susitna-flower

Most people here do recommend pool filter sand. Using LFS sand requires lots of rincing, and you may find using a kitchen strainer useful, fill with sand, and swish in a bucket of water, till clear BEFORE adding to tank....but the pool filter sand, is suppose to be lots less work.

frogster221

awesome

30yrfishguy

i've used packaged precultured sand in various colors cost is roughly 20 bucks for 17lbs. its packaged in precycled water sometimes with buffering qualitys. just pour into tank and go, actually helps cycle your tank in days instead of weeks!

frogster221

so other than having to clean the play sand alot are there any chemicals that could harm my fish?

GreenMan13

hasn't hurt my fish so far. Have not heard of anyone else having a problem. Can you not find pool filter sand though? It will take a LOT less to clean and be only a couple dollars more for 50lbs...I can not stress the lot enough.

frogster221

my parents had bought a bag of play sand for the yard a couple years ago and its just sitting in the garage so i might just use that and not have to spend what little bit of money i have

hop2jr

Just change my tank over and they are right pool filter sand is cheap bought mine for $4 bucks for a 50lb bag but it took me 1hr to get the cloudiest out of the sand used the bucket and pour method remember to turn off your filter with u put it in my gf got some sucked up my filter and it stoped working got lucky cleaned it and started back up running fine now.