Best Way To Clean Loads Of New Sand?

I have a 75 gallon that has pool filter sand.

The sand has turned green due to my light being very strong. Its been like this forever. Over past year or so, I lost so much sand.. right now its barely 1 inch all over.

So I decided to finally get what I really wanted, black sand!
Specifically, Blasting Sand.
This will help with the look abit. You shouldnt see the green in black sand.

Yes, I know.. the light is the cause.
I have a 48" Marineland Advanced LED light. It has a timer built in. Its only on 5/6 hours a day. Ive wanted to change the light, but I just don't have the means and idk what to get.

Anyways the plan is to get 150lbs of the black sand.
I do want this to be a planted tank eventually. OMG A PLANTED TANK IN SAND? Yes. It works. Just need root tabs.



SO ANYWAYS, my question is..
How would be the best way to clean 150lbs of sand?

Should I just do it the normal way? Use a 5 gallon bucket, put a hose in it, rinse rinse rinse and rinse more.. when clean drop in aquarium, repeat until all sand is clean.
This way will take FOREVER with 150lbs of sand.
Plus its cold out now.

The 2nd way.. I was thinking just dumping all 150lbs of sand into my 75 gallon while empty. Then using my 50ft sython python fill and empty the 75 gallons multiple times, cleaning the sand.

What do yall think would be better/what I should do?
Has anyone gotten any experience with cleaning LOADS of sand? Any thoughts, ideas, tips?

Please let me know.. thank you

 

I used my Python how you suggested lol. There's just very few ways to rinse sand without making a mess or getting a bunch in the drain.

 

I used my Python how you suggested lol. There's just very few ways to rinse sand without making a mess or getting a bunch in the drain.

Well if I used the python, it would be sitting ontop of the water draining nowhere near the sand. I doubt id get anysand into the drain.. but hey, its sand so you never know lol.

I think the python in 75 gallon would be easier, but may take longer.

How much sand did you do and how big of a tank?
How long it take?

 

I have 12 tanks but the ones with sand are anywhere from 10-55 gallons. Honestly, I’ve gotten A LOT of sand down the drain over the past few months and it’s never clogged or anything lol. It honestly doesn’t take that long.

 

Hey, I'm also in GTA. The only black blasting sand I have found is from TCS, K&E brand or something. Ah, here it is...
Question - Is This Blasting Sand Okay For Corydoras?
I found it required a lot of rinsing. And (at least for me) it left a permanent black residue on the 5 gallon buckets I used for rinsing. No amount of scrubbing or elbow grease will lift it. So I'd maybe vote against doing it in the tank you're going to be using. Or any tank.
In terms of usage, I put a reasonable amount 1.5-2" in a 40b (36" x 18" floor) and only needed a bag and a bit. I'd recommend erring on the side of too little to start, and buy/wash/add more if you need to later.
All that said, it seems fine now that it's in the tank. It's only a 2 month old set-up, though, so time will tell.
Final comment: I can't help but think that the only difference between the blasting sand setup and the pfs you have now is how much algae you will be able to actually see. If the light and all other conditions/parameters stay the same, you'll eventually have the same amount of algae in your substrate. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing. Some life/mulm/aufwuchs/biofilm is good, but too much of anything is rarely good. Balance, right?

 

This is what I have done for rinsing BDBS, since I have done 150-300 lbs in the past. Rinse in 5 gallon buckets about 15lbs at a time it's actually easier to get smaller batches cleaned. Once it's rinsed dump it into a cooler, for 150lbs a 70 quart size should work. Use a green scrubbie on the inside to cover the drain hole, set the cooler on an incline to help drain excess water. This way you can keep the tank up and running until all the substrate is rinsed, and if you get tired of rinsing take a break for the day and come back the next day. Once all the new substrate is rinse drain the tank empty the old substrate into buckets and dispose of it, mine goes out in the yard seems how our soil is basically sand where I live. A wet/dry vac can get rid of any residual PFS left in the tank. Use a new plastic dust pan to transfer the new substrate in buckets into the tank, once that's done refill, rescape, and add the fish back in. Good prior planning makes the task go much quicker. I did my 55 gallon in about 2 hrs total when I replaced the substrate a few months ago.

 

I used play sand in my aquarium, was 4 bucks for 50 pounds. For that I rinsed the sand with hose water until the water was clear. Blasting sand may be a bit finer so itll take a bit of rinsing. What you mainly want to do is get rid of all the really tiny particles.

 

I have always found that rinsing substrate requires agitation, using my hand. That makes it quicker and rinses the best, however......with that much your hand would be raw! The more you move it while rinsing, the better. Just sticking a hose in doesn't do the trick in my opinion.

 

A pressure nozzle on the hose will agitate the substrate for you.

 

Along with the above suggestions ( rinse smaller amounts, agitate a great bit) I wish I would have used warm/ hot water to rinse my bdbs. It has a bit of an oily residue and it took my tank about a week to clear.

 

A hose outside is the best way. But it in a tarp and treat it as a huge 5 gallon bucket.

 

People are going to hate me for this, but I use BDBS and never rinse it. I guess it comes down to filtration. I have it in a 37, 44, 46, and a 150 gallon.

 

Thank you all for your suggestions and comments.

I do think I will be using a 5 gallon bucket.
Thought in toronto there's snow on the ground, so ill provably be doing it inside in the basement lol.

Hey, I'm also in GTA. The only black blasting sand I have found is from TCS, K&E brand or something. Ah, here it is...
Question - Is This Blasting Sand Okay For Corydoras?
I found it required a lot of rinsing. And (at least for me) it left a permanent black residue on the 5 gallon buckets I used for rinsing. No amount of scrubbing or elbow grease will lift it. So I'd maybe vote against doing it in the tank you're going to be using. Or any tank.
In terms of usage, I put a reasonable amount 1.5-2" in a 40b (36" x 18" floor) and only needed a bag and a bit. I'd recommend erring on the side of too little to start, and buy/wash/add more if you need to later.
All that said, it seems fine now that it's in the tank. It's only a 2 month old set-up, though, so time will tell.
Final comment: I can't help but think that the only difference between the blasting sand setup and the pfs you have now is how much algae you will be able to actually see. If the light and all other conditions/parameters stay the same, you'll eventually have the same amount of algae in your substrate. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing. Some life/mulm/aufwuchs/biofilm is good, but too much of anything is rarely good. Balance, right?

That's actually the exact brand/sand I'm getting.. K&E blasting sand from TSC.

Thanks for the heads up mentioning the black stains it left.. ill be using a 5 gallon bucket for sure

The reasoning for the switch, is yes, there would be the same amount of algae on the sand, but it wouldnt be as nearly as unsightly as it is now. Algae has stained my white sand like crazy.. with black sand, it can be stained all it wants, its still black and won't look unsightly.

Another big reason is when I first got this aquarium, I REALLY wanted black sand. Now heres a good chance to get it.

I will be working on changing my light the next few months.

 

I love the way it looks in my 29 gallon shrimp tank! I just use five gallon buckets fill them a third full and agitate the sand while the bucket fills then let it settle and dump then repeat. In the end I let cold water run over it for no good reason (just one of those odd habits). Also make sure to wear a mask or spritz the sand and air first because you DO NOT want that in your lungs!

 

When I cleaned my pool filter sand I used a wheel barrow and my sprayer on the jet stream. Fortunately doing it that way I didn't have to stir it with my hands. The force of the water stirred it and it was easy to pour the water off with the slope of the WB. Would be kinda messy to do it in a basement though.

BTW: I got 50 lbs of it and had plenty to fill my 55 to a depth of about 1 1/4 inch. 150lbs seems like more than necessary. It it were me I wouldn't go to the trouble of rinsing all 150 lbs until I was sure I was going to need that much but then I have been known to be a bit lazy from time to time. ;o)

 

When I cleaned my pool filter sand I used a wheel barrow and my sprayer on the jet stream. Fortunately doing it that way I didn't have to stir it with my hands. The force of the water stirred it and it was easy to pour the water off with the slope of the WB. Would be kinda messy to do it in a basement though.

BTW: I got 50 lbs of it and had plenty to fill my 55 to a depth of about 1 1/4 inch. 150lbs seems like more than necessary. It it were me I wouldn't go to the trouble of rinsing all 150 lbs until I was sure I was going to need that much but then I have been known to be a bit lazy from time to time. ;o)

I'm going to use my basement sink, which has a lot more room than I need to fit my 5 gallon bucket.

And yea I decided to just get 2 bags, so 100lbs of sand.
I did want a deep sand bed just for looks, but those gas pockets.. didnt wanna risk it.
Plus I LOVE rearranging my tank..

The 100lbs stills gives me about 2-2.5inches.. so I'm ok with that

 

I wouldn’t worry about hydrogen sulfide pockets. I’d like indisputable proof linking that to fish death.

 

I wouldn’t worry about hydrogen sulfide pockets. I’d like indisputable proof linking that to fish death.

With deep sand beds, its always something to worry about.

 

Throw some trumpet snails in it. They burrow in it so no pockets can form. And really does it hurt fish if it happens.

 

I wouldn’t worry about hydrogen sulfide pockets. I’d like indisputable proof linking that to fish death.

You may like to read this from the EPA.

 

People are going to hate me for this, but I use BDBS and never rinse it. I guess it comes down to filtration. I have it in a 37, 44, 46, and a 150 gallon.

On the opposite extreme, I wash mine with dish soap.

 

On the opposite extreme, I wash mine with dish soap.

That actually make sense. Dish soap is non toxic and rinses clean fairly easily.

 

That actually make sense. Dish soap is non toxic and rinses clean fairly easily.

In case anyone wants to try it, a little dab goes a long way.

 

You may like to read this from the EPA.

This study was done in enclosed metal tanks, allowing for the gas to build up for long periods of time, unlike in the aquarium or wild where it goes up to the top, pops, then into the air it goes.

 

MTS aren't the answer too deep sand beds.. it is always possible, actually most likely, that gasses will still form.

MTS also won't go anymore than maybe 2.5" deep, I was planning 4"

Me liking to change my decor alot, aswell as the gas bubbles.. might aswell not risk it.
I will be getting MTS though, gasses can still build in 2.5" sand depth.

 

Wheel barrow.

 

Wheel barrow.

I don't have a wheel barrow lol..

Honestly, I'm still debating.. 2 bags or 3.

 

I don't have a wheel barrow lol..

Honestly, I'm still debating.. 2 bags or 3.

You would probably be good with 2 bags. My 100 gallon has 3 bags in it and it has plenty of substrate for plants. Unless you have a good place to store unused substrate for a while, as time goes by with cleaning etc.. you may want to add some more to the tank. I know I'm looking at buying a house here in a few months and may but a bag for when I set the tanks back up just to make up for some sand loss from cleanings and moving.

 

Thank you all for your suggestions and comments.

I do think I will be using a 5 gallon bucket.
Thought in toronto there's snow on the ground, so ill provably be doing it inside in the basement lol.That's actually the exact brand/sand I'm getting.. K&E blasting sand from TSC.

Thanks for the heads up mentioning the black stains it left.. ill be using a 5 gallon bucket for sure

The reasoning for the switch, is yes, there would be the same amount of algae on the sand, but it wouldnt be as nearly as unsightly as it is now. Algae has stained my white sand like crazy.. with black sand, it can be stained all it wants, its still black and won't look unsightly.

Another big reason is when I first got this aquarium, I REALLY wanted black sand. Now heres a good chance to get it.

I will be working on changing my light the next few months.

View attachment 501783

These are cyano bacteria which you'll encounter with the new sand as well

 

Update:

I spent the last 6 hours setting everything up.. catching fish, cleaning old sand, cleaning tank, cleaning new sand.

Finally the black sand is in, and I'm now filling my aquarium.. its really dusty even tho I spent forever cleaning the sand ..

Ill be adding some active carbon just incase the sand has a hint of metals in it, but its coal slag so I'm sure its fine.. can never be to careful tho.

 

I wouldn’t worry about hydrogen sulfide pockets. I’d like indisputable proof linking that to fish death.

You may like to read this from the EPA.

Anaerobic zones don't kill your fish

 

I must be the only one in the aquarium business using Black Diamond blasting sand or coal slag blasting sand who did not rinse it, but instead uses a screen to sift the dust out of the sand, and just put in the grains of sand without the Dust.

My theory is that most of the oiliness is contained in the dust because I did not have much if any oily layer on my tank from using the sand, even though I did not rinse it with soap or water first.

Basically I sifted this sand and then put it in my tank and added the water. No rinsing no washing no oil or dust problem at all.

I have lots of happy bottom fish and snails, and so far no problems at all from heavy metal contamination that I can tell. I used 100lb of this sand in an experimental planted tank for some months and it grew plants just fine. It is currently on the "night side" of my 30 gallon day-and-night tank.