I wana know how you do you sand

Discussion in 'Sand' started by skyvern2130, Jan 3, 2013.

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  1. Greg@LionfishLair

    Greg@LionfishLair 3reef Sponsor

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2011
    Messages:
    1,095
    Location:
    Coastal So. CA
    Washing the substrate is the ONLY way to get it clean. Yes, it's a PITA, but it's necessary.

    I like to use #1 or #3 grade aragonite, which lays down much better than "sugar fine", but is nowhere near as coarse as CC.

    As for the order...water, salt, rock, substrate.

    Once the substrate is clean, I use a small "paint container" (get them in the paint dept at the HW store) to carefully dip out the sand and lower it into the tank, then slowly pour it in. I never have more than just a hint cloudy water this way.

    HTH
     
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2013
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  3. ingtar_shinowa

    ingtar_shinowa Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2009
    Messages:
    7,072
    Location:
    Billings Montana
    Used a 5g bucket and my hands.... its HORRRIBLE. I got so thrashed up.

    Ditto. My water was clear in my 46bf from day one. I just poured in my sand on the 125 and yes it was cloudy for 2-4 days but a filter sock took care of it.
     
  4. cosmo

    cosmo Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2011
    Messages:
    6,166
    Location:
    southeast ohio O-H....
    Do you already have sand? If not, get reefrocks sand it comes pre rinsed which is great, I used that. I mixed water in the tank then used a big funnel and some PVC to pour the sand into the bottom, cloudy for about a day, then fine;)