How to rinse 300 lbs. of substrate?

[Drstrangelove]

I had to rinse 500 lbs. of black sand so I went and bought a 100 gallon Rubbermaid tube to do it with.. just run the hose through all of it good and let the dirty water over flow out the top! Of course you have to do it outside but that is the best way I have found to do it and I did it with sand so I bet it would be a lot easier with gravel because it will not float up in the water like sand does!!!

This is what I've done with large amounts of gravel, although I used something more like 10-15 gallon bucket (industrial paint can size.) Use a blast setting on the hose and the debris will fly loose and float over the top. I did it in the summer so it wasn't unpleasant. For small amounts a small bucket, spigot and a hand works fine.

If the gravel is really clean, you'll be able to tell once you get some in a bucket, but it can be deceptively filthy if the sediment is finely layered and uniform.

 

[cuban007]

Buy some window screen mesh. Build a 2x4 frame big enough to suit ur needs and be manageable. Attach/wrap mesh securely around frame . Prop frame in air over something so water can easily drain. Spread and rinse like panning for gold. Reduce rinse time by 70% while being just as effective.

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I like this idea. I'm going to try it. I have to rinse a bunch black substrate as well.

 

[jstehman]

Wear leather work gloves when handling the mesh.

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[tomojsg]

i poured the sand into a pillow case(bought a cheap one just for this) and ran the hose in it until water flowed out clear.
takes a bit of time though but its easy and gets the job done. also rinse the pillow case first.

 

[bmacjam]

i have a 96 x 24 tank and used about 150 pounds of sand about 1 inch deep... but yeah 5 gallon bucket half full with sand is ur best option

 

[justarn]

i had more than enough for my 300g in my sig with just 50kg, i would do the half a bucket at atime method and take 150lb back to the store and grimace at him lol!

 

[catfishacr]

I ended up just doing it in 5gal buckets, it wasn't too bad. I was told at my LFS I need 300lb. As some advised I didn't need as much I didn't. I used 175lbs and it was more than enough. Thanks for the heads up!