[rededteck]

Any of you actually try to rinse the southdown or small sized sand? I am thinking this will be a lesson in futility, but is there a good way to accomplish this?

[Biomanjcs72]

Most folks just leave it as beneficial, although the clouding of the water takes longer to clear. But, if you want to do this, just dump a workable amount of sand into a 5 gallon bucket and stir it with a hose and water, then let the sand settle and pour off the cloudy water, do this until the water runs fairly clear, and your in good shape.

But again, most folks leave this as beneficial, the clouding takes a few days to clear up, but as your sand critters stir it, the smaller particles sift down to the bottom of the sand bed, leaving the larger, heavier particles on top.

[CaptainK]

I agree with the above. I forgot where I read this but the tiny little grains of sand are part of a healthy sandbed.
Granted it will take a little bit longer for the dust cloud to disappear.
But in the long run you, and your tank, will be better.

-CaptK

[RhondaJ32]

I was told you never rinse the sand because you remove a lot of the smaller grain sand that you need. I just ordered some sand today and the man gave me a good idea that I beleive I will try. He said to put the sand in before any water is added. then he said to lightly wet the sand then put plastic wrap of some kind over the sand and then add the water. He said the wrap will gradually come up but will help keep the water from stirring the sand as much. Anyway hope that helped some.

[alf3482]

i was advised not to. that the silt is beneficial

[kevinpo]

I rinsed mine (600lbs CaribSeafloor) by using an old salt bucket. I filled it about 1/3rd full and rinsed it 5 times (what a pain). It still made the water cloudy so if people are sucsessful without rinsing I would do that.

Kevin

[vtec si]

I did not rinse mine. 450lbs of sand and not one problem!

VTEC SI