I HATE WASHING SAND!

[pwmin]

an alternative to sand is Color quartz, it looks just like sand but is heavier and does not have to be washed at all. Its really not a probem for your filter due to it being heavier to sand and it comes on various colors, natural colors or blues, red and other non natural colors. color quartz come in a 51 lbs bag and is more expensive then pool sand but it is worth it. its anywhere from 20 thru 35 dollars per 51lb bag depending where you get it from. you can also get color quartz with its s type which is a little bigger then sand but smaller then gravel. To learn google color quartz or go to 3m.com. Its is really worth it .

def going to try that w/ my new tank. there is a distributor here in denver, so i should be good to go, just havent talked to them yet, but i have a while.

IMO sand looks much better and is easier to clean. when i put water in my tank after the sand, i just stuck an UGF plate on top and filled w/ a hose...no suspended sand at all.

 

[elevatethis]

The aragonite I used clouded the water in my 75 badly for about a week. My filter media was completely gray for a few rinsings too.

Water was crystal clear 2 weeks later.....should have washed it out beforehand, but I was patient with it....

 

[midnight]

BTW, pool filter sand should only require a quick rinse as it's a cleaner sand. Versus using play sand. That's the stuff you have to rinse forever to get clean.

not all sand and brands are the same.
the pool sand i got needed a ton of cleaning

 

[cichlid savage]

When I use pool filter sand I just rinse it a few times. as never been a big hassel for me.

 

[guppy]

I use pillow cases and a hose. It is fairly quick.

 

[ShadowBass]

Try to find higher grade pool filter sand. The high grade quartz sand I buy has absolutely no dust and doesn't have to be rinsed. The cheap pool filter sand I get from home depot needs to be cleaned a bit or it will cloud the tank.