discolored sand?

[o5b0rn3b]

So I made the beginners mistake of trying to plant/bury hornwort. I ended up just removing all of it, and thought I had everything all cleaned up in the substrate as far as rotting material...

Now, I'm doing a water change when I got home from work. I sifted some sand around for something and there was a good bit of dark blue colored sand just below the surface. So assuming I just released an ungodly amount of ammonia into my tank, I removed all of my stock into a rubber maid bin.

So my question is, what now? My tank is 1/4 full with just the sand left in there. Do I have to remove it all and wash it? anyway I can wash it without removing it? It's just play sand if that makes a difference.

I'd love to get this done tonight if someone can help me lol.

 

[ECW]

If you want it 100% cleaned, I think it would be easier to remove it. You can get a fine mesh net, cup, whatever's and scoop it out, and/or siphon it out into a fine mesh net. Get all the sand in a bucket(s) or cooler(s) and wash it out.

You could wash it in tank but that will take longer since you have to wait for the water to be siphoned out. Fill it up and start swishing and siphoning.

If it's a tank like 55 gallons or less. Then have someone help you carry it outside, sand and all. Turn on the hose, wash, and pour.

It doesn't sound too bad and you already have your inhabitants out. I would just fill it, swish it around, use a gravel vac, whatever you need to do and siphon the water out and fill er up again.

 

[o5b0rn3b]

It's my 75 gal. I have a fine mesh net, but it's so fine it holds air underwater, so I'm not sure how well that would work. I'll start pulling out sand, thanks man

 

[ECW]

It's my 75 gal. I have a fine mesh net, but it's so fine it holds air underwater, so I'm not sure how well that would work. I'll start pulling out sand, thanks man

It'll work real well as long as it lets water through. Just get the air bubble out and scoop away. Shouldn't take too long.