Play Sand

[nfored]

I am using play sand from HD, it looks ok and is cheap, but if you even touch the sand or move anything it gets cloudy really quickly and then I am stuck waiting for 12 to 24 hours for it to settle again. Is this a normal problem? or do I need stronger/softer current?

 

[smpage]

Sounds like you didn't rinse it at all before putting it in your tank.

 

[paulz01]

Takes about 5-6 times rinsing it out. Do you have that "cement" like smell? I had that the first day i put play sand in my big tank and my 55gal. It will settle down in about 2 days. After it's all settle down do a 50% water change, just to make sure you get some leftover nasty stuff. Other than that, the filters will take care of it.

edit: Oh the play sand is actually very heavy. I'm sure you will love it once it gets settled down.

 

[hillbilly]

Next time, you should use pool filter sand. It cheap as well, but much cleaner.

 

[nfored]

When I got home today I had to mess around in the tank, and the sand stirred up, but settled down in about 3 hours this time. I think you guys are right like normal, and that another 50% WC will do the trick.

No cement smell,.

 

[perfect_prefect]

before you do the next 50% wc stir the sand up so your water is as cloudy as possibly then siphon it out, do this every time you do water changes and eventually you will have all of the fine particles out of the sand and you will be left with pristine heavy sand that just sits on the bottom and is easy to maintain.