Habitat - Indoor :: Cleaning aquarium sand

Turtle tank setups and other indoor configurations.

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Post Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 8:21 pm   Cleaning aquarium sand

Does anyone have any tips on how to clean aquarium sand? I'm looking at a lot of murk right now. I'm trying the bucket, water, swirl, settle, and dump method right now.
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RedEaredJade
 
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Post Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 10:54 pm   Re: Cleaning aquarium sand

Is this a new addition or something that's been established? For the former, I think a lot filter media to help collect the fine debris is the way to go.
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steve
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Post Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 11:18 pm   Re: Cleaning aquarium sand

It's a new addition. We're moving our turtle's tank inside and sand is a lighter substrate choice.
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Post Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 11:55 pm   Re: Cleaning aquarium sand

I went with the bucket outside. Stick a hose in it and turn it on. Let it continually overflow and agitate with your hands.

You'll lose some sand, but you'll dump a lot of dust really quickly.
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Post Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 6:46 am   Re: Cleaning aquarium sand

Your doing it right. It takes a while. I did it the same way with my aquarium sand.
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300 gallon indoor stock tank, FX6 & FX5 filters. Mega-Ray 100w UVB bulb.
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Post Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 3:56 pm   Re: Cleaning aquarium sand

Thanks, y'all.
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Post Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 8:15 am   Re: Cleaning aquarium sand

You can also get pre-rinsed sand. You'll still need to wash the dust out but the effort is minimal vs something like playsand.
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Post Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 7:34 pm   Re: Cleaning aquarium sand

I actually ended up getting pre-washed play sand and it rinsed out really quickly.
With man, some things are possible. With God, all things are possible.
1 RES, Jade.
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1 black lab/springer spaniel/akita, Razzle.
1 Beta, Quill.
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Post Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 9:26 pm   Re: Cleaning aquarium sand

Has anyone ever use pool filter sand? I've seen people on YouTube recommending this stuff for aquariums.
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Post Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 10:36 pm   Re: Cleaning aquarium sand

I have it in two tanks. I love it. The grains are large enough that you don't have to worry about vacuuming any up during cleaning but compact enough that the waste stays on top.
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Post Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 11:42 pm   Re: Cleaning aquarium sand

I tried to find pool filter sand and couldn't.
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Post Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 11:27 am   Re: Cleaning aquarium sand

OK thanks guys I bought a 50lb bag that I will put on our tank this weekend. I couldn't find any at either Lowes or Home depot but I did find some at Ace Hardware.
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Post Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 6:22 pm   Re: Cleaning aquarium sand

None of my hardware stores carried it. I had to go to a pool supply store.
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Post Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 6:39 pm   Re: Cleaning aquarium sand

Very interesting! I never thought to check ACE!
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