Bleach

Patriot54 · 03/30/2010, 09:09 PM

I don't know where I should post this, so I thought here, if not please move it to the right spot. Anyways, I want to bleach some sand I have, it was previously used in a saltwater tank. I want to bleach it to mainly kill off anything bad in it and start fresh, as well as make it whiter too. Can someone here walk me throught the process of bleaching my sand? TIA

Patriot54 · 03/30/2010, 10:16 PM

bump before it gets burried

terri_ann · 03/30/2010, 11:12 PM

Just buy new sand--it's cheap and not a hassle. You'll spend more on bleach, water and dechlorinator than on new sand.

Patriot54 · 03/30/2010, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terri_ann

Just buy new sand--it's cheap and not a hassle. You'll spend more on bleach, water and dechlorinator than on new sand.

That's a good point, but I want something to do and I think this would be fun. What is the dechlorinatior for?

terri_ann · 03/30/2010, 11:50 PM

It's for the chlorine in the bleach...personally, I would buy the sand and not risk introducing any toxins in to the tank. You could always read up on the hobby for something to do.......... :-)

Patriot54 · 03/31/2010, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terri_ann

It's for the chlorine in the bleach...personally, I would buy the sand and not risk introducing any toxins in to the tank. You could always read up on the hobby for something to do.......... :-)

Do you know how to use the decholinator?

rgrobe · 03/31/2010, 01:08 AM

Put you sand in a bucket with water and a small amount of chlorine bleach. Stir up the sand and allow to soak for several minutes. Dump initial bleach solution. Refill with clear water. Add 2-3 drops of dechlor per gallon (follow product directions when all else fails). stir sand again. Drain and rinse one last time. Spread out sand on clean, dry, hard surface. Allow to dry completely in sun for a couple of days. Stir it up occasionally to allow any wet sand to reach the top.

It is a pain and it would be easier to buy new sand. I won't do it again. I had to do a hundred or so pounds.

terri_ann · 03/31/2010, 01:11 AM

Amquel is often used as per directions...rgrobe says it all ;-)

PRDubois · 03/31/2010, 01:11 AM

You do not need bleach.

1. Fill a 5gal bucket half full of sand.
2. Take a gargen hose on full and put in to the bottom of the bucket while you stur with your hand
3. Dirty nasty water will overflow the top of the bucket
4. Continue to run the water and stur with your hand till the water runs clear.
5. Once the water is running clear, stur for about another 5 min.
6. Drain off the tap water and use the sand.
7. Repeat till all of sand is clean.

terri_ann · 03/31/2010, 01:16 AM

PRDubois...I think he also wants to make the sand "whiter"

Whatever floats his boat

PRDubois · 03/31/2010, 01:21 AM

If he uses my method, it will be "whiter". we never realize how much dirt there is in the sand. Dirty water will probaly run out of the bucket for 15 to 20 min.

jpruitt · 03/31/2010, 03:21 AM

+1 on the garden hose method

03/30/2010, 09:09 PM	#1
Patriot54 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 727	Bleach I don't know where I should post this, so I thought here, if not please move it to the right spot. Anyways, I want to bleach some sand I have, it was previously used in a saltwater tank. I want to bleach it to mainly kill off anything bad in it and start fresh, as well as make it whiter too. Can someone here walk me throught the process of bleaching my sand? TIA

03/30/2010, 11:12 PM	#3
terri_ann Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 841	Just buy new sand--it's cheap and not a hassle. You'll spend more on bleach, water and dechlorinator than on new sand. __________________ Happy Reefing!! :) Current Tank Info: 180g mixed 40B Anemone 5' raceway frag tank

03/30/2010, 11:50 PM	#5
terri_ann Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 841	It's for the chlorine in the bleach...personally, I would buy the sand and not risk introducing any toxins in to the tank. You could always read up on the hobby for something to do.......... :-) __________________ Happy Reefing!! :) Current Tank Info: 180g mixed 40B Anemone 5' raceway frag tank

03/31/2010, 01:11 AM	#8
terri_ann Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 841	Amquel is often used as per directions...rgrobe says it all ;-) __________________ Happy Reefing!! :) Current Tank Info: 180g mixed 40B Anemone 5' raceway frag tank

03/31/2010, 01:11 AM	#9
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	You do not need bleach. 1. Fill a 5gal bucket half full of sand. 2. Take a gargen hose on full and put in to the bottom of the bucket while you stur with your hand 3. Dirty nasty water will overflow the top of the bucket 4. Continue to run the water and stur with your hand till the water runs clear. 5. Once the water is running clear, stur for about another 5 min. 6. Drain off the tap water and use the sand. 7. Repeat till all of sand is clean. __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

03/30/2010, 10:16 PM	#2
Patriot54 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 727	bump before it gets burried

03/31/2010, 01:08 AM	#7
rgrobe Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Diego area Posts: 416	Put you sand in a bucket with water and a small amount of chlorine bleach. Stir up the sand and allow to soak for several minutes. Dump initial bleach solution. Refill with clear water. Add 2-3 drops of dechlor per gallon (follow product directions when all else fails). stir sand again. Drain and rinse one last time. Spread out sand on clean, dry, hard surface. Allow to dry completely in sun for a couple of days. Stir it up occasionally to allow any wet sand to reach the top. It is a pain and it would be easier to buy new sand. I won't do it again. I had to do a hundred or so pounds.

03/31/2010, 01:16 AM	#10
terri_ann Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 841	PRDubois...I think he also wants to make the sand "whiter" Whatever floats his boat __________________ Happy Reefing!! :) Current Tank Info: 180g mixed 40B Anemone 5' raceway frag tank

03/31/2010, 01:21 AM	#11
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	If he uses my method, it will be "whiter". we never realize how much dirt there is in the sand. Dirty water will probaly run out of the bucket for 15 to 20 min. __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

03/31/2010, 03:21 AM	#12
jpruitt Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sherman TX Posts: 139	+1 on the garden hose method