Sand...Why is it so hard?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Pool Filter Sand is regulated in size meaning it will all be larger than X and smaller than Y... no big particals, no small particles. So just a quick rinse before you put it in the tank removes the little bit of dust that forms due to particals grinding against themselves in transit...


Play Sand is an average size of X, with no distinct regulation. Larger particals are screened out, but fines are abundant. You can either rinse and rinse and rinse before using it... or you can put fines and all in your tank and take the risk the pose to your filters.


For those who suggest it clouded their water at first, but the cloudiness "went away" in X amout of time... where did it go?

That cloudiness is fine particles suspended in the water. These fine particals either ended up in your filter or settling in the tank. If they settled in the tank they are still there to get swirled back into the water colum, and if they are in the filter they are prone to damage impellers, damage media and clog media. I strongly advise rinsing Play Sand very thoroughly to prevent this sort of damage.


I tried Play Sand once after havign used a lot of Pool Filter Sand. While it was $4 cheaper per 50 lbs, the extensive increase of labor required to wash it made that $4 savings seem like a rip off. And even after spending A LOT more effort cleaning the Play Sand it still cloudied up the tank I used it in.

It ended up being used in a friends Lizard tank....
 
most of my cloudiness got siphoned out, after many water changes on my part. i assume the particles left in, developed a biofilm of some sort and feel down clumping together.
 
I was never under the impression that the fine particulate disappeared. We simply changed out our filter pads, rinsed our media, and put everything back together. I've never had a filter crap out on me due to sand. I know it happens, but it's never happened to me.

Edit: If the sand had only settled, then it would get stirred up and become floating particulate again. But it doesn't, which is what I was trying to say. You don't have any cloudiness after that initial day.
 
I know no one suggest the fine particals "vanished" and I hope I didn't word my post in a way to suggest anyone had such silly thoughts. I know you guys are brighter than that :thumbsup:


I only mentioned that to remind us that it does go somewhere and it does have an impact.
 
I used play sand in one of my tanks and I just cleaned it really well.

By really well I mean put it in a bucket blast it with water and don't let the sand settle. The heavy nice sand you want will sink in less than a second and all the other stuff floating around just pour out.
 
Thank you to all your replies. I know where to get play sand, and I didn't mean to lead you guys astray. I heard that the sand you get at a pool and spa place was better and easier to deal with. That is what I was looking for.

Nutcase- Thanks for goolging for me. I was out buying stuff for the sump I am building and stopped by three pool/spa places down a single strip. The first was out of stock, and then the second two only had the glass sand. After the second one told me that glass sand is what pool and spa stores carry now, I thought there might have been another type of place that would still have it. I am glad to hear that it was just those snobby places. Although glass sand does look cool...too bad it's so expensive...

Any ideas if 150lbs will work, or should I buy 200?
 
I bought white play sand from menards...paid 3.66 for a 50 pound bag of it...I bought 6 bags...for a 6'X2' footprint...or a 22o gallon...and there is about 4-5 inches on the bottom...just enough to keep plants in place and enough to keep rocks from touching the bottom...hope this helps.

Oh and once you rinse it real good throw it in and let it settle for a good 30 min or an hour and then you should be good to go!!
 
I used two 50lb bags in my 125 (72x18). I think 150lbs would be good.
 
Got 150lbs on HD ps in my tank, Ill prob add another 50 to get a more evenly coverage. Fish suck it up and it falls back down. Any of the super fine particles get sucked up by my pump which has to pass floss before it hits the propeller. havent had a problem at all. I washed each bag for about 5-6min in my tub.

P.s. the sand stained my tub for a bit orange/brown:irked:
 
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