Cleaning Sand

XxRyosukexX · 09/26/2008, 01:48 PM

I have to restart my tank due to Hurricane Ike and I was wondering how do I go cleaning the sand? My dad drained my tank so I have to start from the beginning. The sand smells really bad and the sand is like dark colored in the lower layers of sand.

I was thinking about bleaching it to kill off anything in it. Should I do that or something else?

chimmike · 09/26/2008, 01:56 PM

Put it in a bucket and run a hose into it until the bucket overflows, let it overflow for a while, then spread the sand around and let it dry out.

pelochas · 09/26/2008, 02:23 PM

you can bleach it also. i think its about a cup of bleach for 5 gallons. the sand will bleach but after a good soaking you need to run a lot of water and let it overflow while stiring the sand. then spread it out and dry it.

Ehgemus · 09/26/2008, 02:56 PM

I would not use bleach I would use vinegar if anything.

israelnajar · 09/26/2008, 02:59 PM

Don't use vinegar. You will end up dissolving your sand if you do that. Just rinse it with water in a 5 gallon bucket. Prime it if you do decide to bleach it.

chimmike · 09/26/2008, 03:27 PM

vinegar dissolves sand? I've never heard that before

Myrphie · 09/26/2008, 03:51 PM

If you're using aragonite sand, which is basically calcium carbonate, vinegar, being acidic, will begin to dissolve it.

Regarding bleach, there paranoia people have regarding it is mostly unfounded. Standard unscented bleach (think Clorox) is a solution of sodium hypochlorite. All that's left after you allow it to evaporate is sodium chloride. Salt. It's harmless, assuming you allow it to dry thoroughly.

areze · 09/26/2008, 05:15 PM

how much sand are we talking about?

Id probably just replace it unless its a huge amount...

09/26/2008, 01:48 PM	#1
XxRyosukexX Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 29	Cleaning Sand I have to restart my tank due to Hurricane Ike and I was wondering how do I go cleaning the sand? My dad drained my tank so I have to start from the beginning. The sand smells really bad and the sand is like dark colored in the lower layers of sand. I was thinking about bleaching it to kill off anything in it. Should I do that or something else?

09/26/2008, 01:56 PM	#2
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	Put it in a bucket and run a hose into it until the bucket overflows, let it overflow for a while, then spread the sand around and let it dry out. __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

09/26/2008, 02:23 PM	#3
pelochas Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 385	you can bleach it also. i think its about a cup of bleach for 5 gallons. the sand will bleach but after a good soaking you need to run a lot of water and let it overflow while stiring the sand. then spread it out and dry it. __________________ 120g Reef Tank Oceanic, 2x175watt MH 14k Iwasaki, 1 Ecotech MP40, Reeflo Dart return pump, AquaC EV-120 Eheim 1262 ,AquacontrollerJr, KentMaxximaHI-S, PhosBanReactor150, Geo Kalk Rx. Current Tank Info: working on diy led lighting and finishing a sump refuge relocated outside the house

09/26/2008, 02:59 PM	#5
israelnajar Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: 5000 Feet Posts: 1,007	Don't use vinegar. You will end up dissolving your sand if you do that. Just rinse it with water in a 5 gallon bucket. Prime it if you do decide to bleach it. __________________ I would never do such a thing unless you would already have been going to do that!

09/26/2008, 03:27 PM	#6
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	vinegar dissolves sand? I've never heard that before __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

09/26/2008, 02:56 PM	#4
Ehgemus Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Central City Ky Posts: 1,585	I would not use bleach I would use vinegar if anything.

09/26/2008, 03:51 PM	#7
Myrphie Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: El Paso, Tx Posts: 177	If you're using aragonite sand, which is basically calcium carbonate, vinegar, being acidic, will begin to dissolve it. Regarding bleach, there paranoia people have regarding it is mostly unfounded. Standard unscented bleach (think Clorox) is a solution of sodium hypochlorite. All that's left after you allow it to evaporate is sodium chloride. Salt. It's harmless, assuming you allow it to dry thoroughly.

09/26/2008, 05:15 PM	#8
areze Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,048	how much sand are we talking about? Id probably just replace it unless its a huge amount... __________________ current tanks:240g of wallet draining capacity.