How do you clean sand?

[Freezekougra]

I was thinking of getting cheap pool filter sand :O

If I vac the fish poo from the sand, won't all the sand go into the vac :O

 

[koop171]

I used a 5 gallon bucket and washed 10 lbs. at a time. put the sand in the bucket. filled the bucket about half way up then swrilled it around. dumped the water out and did it again till the water runs clear.


this will take awhile.

 

[lighthouse39183]

You don't dig down into the sand like you would on gravel. You graze over the top of the sand never actually touching it or you will suck it up.

 

[benzjamin13]

I have PFS that I vac. Depending on the grade, it won't get sucked up as long as you let it settle down. I have Tahitian Black Sand in my other tank, but the sand is so fine and that one will get sucked up. Just siphon the top and you'll be safe.

 

[FSM]

Put the end of the hose (don't use the wide gravel attachment thing) an inch or so above the sand. The sand won't get sucked in, but everything else will.

 

[Freezekougra]

thx everyone

debating over pool filter sand, black gravel on sale, or a bit of extra pebble-like gravel to add to my current gravel so I won't need to replace everything :O

 

[MalawiTango]

sand Fo sho!

 

[HarleyK]

My Malaysian Trumpet Snails clean my sand for me

 

[leopio]

pillow case

 

[Armored_delhezi]

My Malaysian Trumpet Snails clean my sand for me

Even your fish's waste?