Siphoned sand, it dried, can it be put back in tank?

ezhoops · 01/21/2011, 01:59 PM

I had a small cyano problem and so I siphoned off about 5 lbs of sand. It is in a bucket and completely dried out. it is still chunky and has some green colors in it. I am wondering if and what the process is of putting it back into the tank (assuming its ok to do so)

any ideas?

oh and not sure if it matters but its arag-a-live pink fiji

chimmike · 01/21/2011, 02:19 PM

keep it in the bucket and let a hose rinse it all out for about 10 mins, just let the bucket overflow. it'll get most of the lighter particles of gunk out.

then lay it out on a tarp and let it dry. Dry dry, not just moist, but totally dry. If you want you could do it in your garage with a space heater (be careful not to set fire to anything-your smokey the bear statement)

after that it should be safe. Right now there's gunk and stuff in it that could cause another cycle on you.

coralfish · 01/21/2011, 02:23 PM

yes, rinse it well prior

Frogmanx82 · 01/21/2011, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chimmike

keep it in the bucket and let a hose rinse it all out for about 10 mins, just let the bucket overflow. it'll get most of the lighter particles of gunk out.

then lay it out on a tarp and let it dry. Dry dry, not just moist, but totally dry. If you want you could do it in your garage with a space heater (be careful not to set fire to anything-your smokey the bear statement)

after that it should be safe. Right now there's gunk and stuff in it that could cause another cycle on you.

I don't get the dry dry part. Its already dry. A good rinse and you're good to go.

redfishblewfish · 01/21/2011, 06:18 PM

+1 on rinsing out the sand. I think the drying part is if you want to have it sit around for a while. Wet sand will cause for unwanted bacterial growth.

I do this all the time. Rinse it real well (tap water) until all the brown crap has been washed out. If need be, do this in small lots. Finally, I pour off as much water as I can and then do two rinses with RO/DI water.

To put it back into the tank, use a length of 1 ½ - 2” piece of PVC pipe that just clears the depth of your tank by a few inches. Put a funnel in the top of the pipe. Start dumping in the sand and slowly lift the pipe off the sand bed to allow the cleaned sand to flow out. Move the pipe around to distribute the sand. This minimizes a sand storm, if you where to have simply dumped the sand in the tank.

ezhoops · 01/21/2011, 08:49 PM

thank you, I added a little dry sand and figured this wasn't working well so I will heed your advice.
thanks

Frogmanx82 · 01/22/2011, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redfishblewfish

To put it back into the tank, use a length of 1 ½ - 2” piece of PVC pipe that just clears the depth of your tank by a few inches. Put a funnel in the top of the pipe. Start dumping in the sand and slowly lift the pipe off the sand bed to allow the cleaned sand to flow out. Move the pipe around to distribute the sand. This minimizes a sand storm, if you where to have simply dumped the sand in the tank.

I find this is easier said than done with wet sand. I use a large plastic glass, fill it with sand and then put it in the water right side up and then turn it on its side on the bottom. To use the funnel and pipe I would think you would use some tank water mixed with the sand to make it a slurry so it will flow.

redfishblewfish · 01/22/2011, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogmanx82

I find this is easier said than done with wet sand.

Actually very easy. If you have a small-mouthed funnel, use a turkey baster and squirt water into the funnel to make the sand flow down into the pipe. With a large mouth funnel it's not an issue. Either way, it really isn't difficult.

To elaborate even further, I use a large spoon and fill the funnel. Usually one squirt with the turkey baster empties the funnel. Continue filling the funnel and emptying until the pipe is full. Slightly lift the pipe up until sand starts to flow. Move pipe around to distribute sand evenly. Repeat until sand is gone or you are happy with the look.

01/21/2011, 01:59 PM	#1
ezhoops Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Royal Oak, Michigan Posts: 3,530	Siphoned sand, it dried, can it be put back in tank? I had a small cyano problem and so I siphoned off about 5 lbs of sand. It is in a bucket and completely dried out. it is still chunky and has some green colors in it. I am wondering if and what the process is of putting it back into the tank (assuming its ok to do so) any ideas? oh and not sure if it matters but its arag-a-live pink fiji __________________ "Keep your Friends Close, Your Anemones Closer" Current Tank Info: Working on 60 cube, sicce 3.0 return pump, 29 gal sump with fuge,Bubble Magnus NAC6 Skimmer, Aquaticlife 4 bulb T-5 VHO, 29gal Rare Clown breeding

01/21/2011, 02:19 PM	#2
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	keep it in the bucket and let a hose rinse it all out for about 10 mins, just let the bucket overflow. it'll get most of the lighter particles of gunk out. then lay it out on a tarp and let it dry. Dry dry, not just moist, but totally dry. If you want you could do it in your garage with a space heater (be careful not to set fire to anything-your smokey the bear statement) after that it should be safe. Right now there's gunk and stuff in it that could cause another cycle on you. __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

01/21/2011, 02:23 PM	#3
coralfish Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hardmoney, KY Posts: 750	yes, rinse it well prior __________________ One leg missing and both hands free. Current Tank Info: 220 Reef

01/21/2011, 08:49 PM	#6
ezhoops Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Royal Oak, Michigan Posts: 3,530	thank you, I added a little dry sand and figured this wasn't working well so I will heed your advice. thanks __________________ "Keep your Friends Close, Your Anemones Closer" Current Tank Info: Working on 60 cube, sicce 3.0 return pump, 29 gal sump with fuge,Bubble Magnus NAC6 Skimmer, Aquaticlife 4 bulb T-5 VHO, 29gal Rare Clown breeding

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01/21/2011, 06:18 PM	#5
redfishblewfish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central New Jersey Posts: 716	+1 on rinsing out the sand. I think the drying part is if you want to have it sit around for a while. Wet sand will cause for unwanted bacterial growth. I do this all the time. Rinse it real well (tap water) until all the brown crap has been washed out. If need be, do this in small lots. Finally, I pour off as much water as I can and then do two rinses with RO/DI water. To put it back into the tank, use a length of 1 ½ - 2” piece of PVC pipe that just clears the depth of your tank by a few inches. Put a funnel in the top of the pipe. Start dumping in the sand and slowly lift the pipe off the sand bed to allow the cleaned sand to flow out. Move the pipe around to distribute the sand. This minimizes a sand storm, if you where to have simply dumped the sand in the tank.