How to wash/add live sand

[mud1059]

I've searched for over an hour and no results. Please forgive me.

I have a 180g tank and 55g converted refugium. 100lbs of live rock I bought used with numerous corals/mushrooms/snails/crabs/featherdusters/buttons. All been in the tank for 1 month. Tank has been up for 2 1/2 months total. 2 weeks ago I added 4 damselfish along with 3 types of macro algae in the refugium to include amphipods and a couple tiny starfish. I've tested the water on a weekly basis with surprisingly GREAT results every time. Yesterday I purchased 70 lbs of this to add:

http://www.redseafish.com/Product.asp?dir=y&CatId=98&SubID=36&proID=188

I know I need to wash this stuff but I don't know what to use! Saltwater, freshwater? I have some 5 gallon buckets and some big rubbermaids I've used for topping off and for a waterchange. Could someone please explain to me how to go about adding my new substrate? I greatly appreciate your time.

Paul

 

[Krish]

Alot of the time, they don't recommend washing sand before using it. I've never dealt with that type you have before, but the Carib Sea brand sand that comes in the bag with water in it, is ready to use. I saw this in that link..

Each bag of pre-washed, impurity-free Reef Base will provide the right quantity of substrate for a 2”(5cm) layer in a 10-gallon(40 liter) aquarium. This is an ideal substrate for all fish and invertebrate tanks

which leads me to believe it may be ready to use. I guess it's best to wait on someone who has used that type before to chime in first. Good luck!

 

[Herefishyfishy]

If you are using the aragonite play sand that comes in the 50 pound or so bags, it must be washed or your tank will be clouded for weeks due to the high percentage of powder mixed in. Fresh water in buckets and stir while rinsing. Do until water is fairly clear. Put it in an established tank a little at a time to prevent smothering your live sand. I use a cottage cheese sized container slowly lowered into the water before pouring it out.

 

[mmkeeper]

You don't was live sand, you want to add the sand and the water in the bag, because it has all the live stuff that you are buying.

 

[mud1059]

It's actually dry. Apparently not live sand at all. The bag says rinse it down then slowly add to tank. Seems to make sense to me. I've added 3 bags so far, it's somewhat cloudy but not too bad. I'll wait an hour or two before I do anymore. This is taking forever. Thanks for the help folks. Again, much appreciated.

For the record I've heard nothing but great things on this substrate. The LFSs can't keep this stuff in stock. I had to hit up 2 stores in order to get the 6 bags I needed. (I've been waiting on it for weeks - they're always out.)

 

[Krish]

Sounds great...Good luck with it!

 

[servicky]

ok get a 5 gallon bucket and a hose.... fill halfway with sand and stick the hose in the bottom and turn on let it overflow not to much pressure and it will siphon all the dust out...