kacie

I just bought some pool filter sand to add to my 55g. I rinsed the sand at a car powerwash but it is still cloudy. Then I read some threads that you don't have to rinse it. My sand is cloudy and I need advice on adding it to my aquarium. I have 40lbs of ecocomplete and am trying to figure out how to end up with a planted tank with 2/3rds sand and 1/3 ecocomplete.

Oh how should I declorinate the sand?

Steve113

just rinse it thoroughly - the water will eventually run clear then you're good to go.

As for dechlorinating it - the relatively tiny ammount of untreated water that the sand will hold will not affect your fish, but if you're worried the just use a dechlorinator in some water witht he sand and just rinse/mix it up like that.

You don't want to add the sand before getting rid of the dust (the dust is what most likely makes it cloudy. - this dust will get everywhere -in your filter, float on the surface, and stick to everything - it will make your tank look pants.

:P

I rinsed my sand in buckets using a hose - standing in the shower cubicle!

kacie

I wish I had thought of the shower. What a dunce. I'm out in the cold paying by the minute to rinse my sand. Duh!

soldieroffortune1974

The way I rinse my sand is in a 5 gallon bucket,with a constant supply of freshwater running in it. (the shower will work,or a hose from the faucet) I use a painter's mixing stick and just swish it around until the water is clear.

Butterfly

True pool filter sand doesn't have to be rinsed(should be pre-rinsed). It is used in swimming pool filters and would really cause problems if it was overly dusty. I have pool filter sand in the 75 g and never rinsed it. Also used it in a 55g loach tank sorry you are having problems. Running the filter with floss in it over night should take the dust out.
Carol