how to wash southdown
- Thread starter AlexS!
- Start date
You don't need to wash it, other than maybe a light rinsing to get sticks, etc. out of it. If you wash it too much you will be removing the fine sediment size that you want to retain for a DSB. I would add it directly to the tank and skim like crazy.
I have to humbly disagree I would recommend you wash it 3 or 4 times by filling up a container (with sand of course) to the top with water. While you fill you should violently disturb the sand with your hands or the water jet. You will see a foam start to form on the top layer. I do this against the general consensus just to be sure that any chemicals which were used to treat the sand or any contaminants that were introduced are removed. If you are careful enough you wont remove all the precious silt that every seems to worry about loosing
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by fmx2md:
<STRONG>I have to humbly disagree I would recommend you wash it 3 or 4 times by filling up a container .....I do this against the general consensus just to be sure that any chemicals which were used to treat the sand or any contaminants that were introduced are removed.....</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
This is the stuff for kids to play in. They are not treating it with any harmful chemical. Also, if any chemical was used, you will not wash it off with a few rise like you suggested. Many other people, including me, used it without washing and the tank is doing exceptional well. This proves that washing it is not needed (plus been lots of hard work)
<STRONG>I have to humbly disagree I would recommend you wash it 3 or 4 times by filling up a container .....I do this against the general consensus just to be sure that any chemicals which were used to treat the sand or any contaminants that were introduced are removed.....</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
This is the stuff for kids to play in. They are not treating it with any harmful chemical. Also, if any chemical was used, you will not wash it off with a few rise like you suggested. Many other people, including me, used it without washing and the tank is doing exceptional well. This proves that washing it is not needed (plus been lots of hard work)
I completely agree w/ Minh. I have read about the research of others into the process that SD goes through to aquire the sand. They simply sift it to remove large particles. They do not sterilize it. I added a 4-5" sand bed to an established tank and have not lost one specimen (with the exception of a cleaner shrimp whom I accidentally buried.
If you choose to clean the sand, be sure to dedicate several Saturdays to the process. I decided to clean some aragonite for my 18Gal sump, and it took hours. It is a pain in the butt.
Ernie
If you choose to clean the sand, be sure to dedicate several Saturdays to the process. I decided to clean some aragonite for my 18Gal sump, and it took hours. It is a pain in the butt.
Ernie
Just because kids play in it that does not mean it isn't chemically treated. There are pesticides in out fruits and vegetables yet we eat them but we need to wash to romaine when we put it in out tanks. It was intereseted becasue when I used crush coral and sand mixture specifically made for the aquarium industry when I washed it I didn't get the filmy bubbles that I got when I washed the southdown. It is my understanding that these bubbles are due to organic waste and chemicals that are in the sand. After about 4 washes the bubbles went away and I added the sand to my tank. It doesn't hurt to play it safe.
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by fmx2md:
<STRONG> It doesn't hurt to play it safe.</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
EXACTLY!!!
Definately going to wash it, because for 3 times when i used southdown, it clogged up my fiter- THAT'S A PAIN IN THE BUT! Just going to use 5 gallon bucket, put 3-5" in bottom, fill with water, empty water, repeat, untill water is fairly clear! that is if i can't get any better ideas. I also have 200 lbs. for sale. $15 a bag, or all for $50- WANT TO TRADE FOR LIVESTOCK (arnjer- would trade for shrooms, polyps, or either brain???)
-ALEX
<STRONG> It doesn't hurt to play it safe.</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
EXACTLY!!!
Definately going to wash it, because for 3 times when i used southdown, it clogged up my fiter- THAT'S A PAIN IN THE BUT! Just going to use 5 gallon bucket, put 3-5" in bottom, fill with water, empty water, repeat, untill water is fairly clear! that is if i can't get any better ideas. I also have 200 lbs. for sale. $15 a bag, or all for $50- WANT TO TRADE FOR LIVESTOCK (arnjer- would trade for shrooms, polyps, or either brain???)
-ALEX
I'm in Memphis and want to know where you guys got your SD. I have called the Home Depot here and they have been no help. Alex I would be interested in whatever you have left over. E-mail me and let me know how much.
Jerry
[ August 18, 2001: Message edited by: arnjer ]
Jerry
[ August 18, 2001: Message edited by: arnjer ]
Changing the filters in nowhere as difficult compared to washing the stuff. You realize that if you use tapwater to wash it, you will be adding sillicates and phosphates to the tank.
No one I have heard from on this board or others has had problems with using unwashed SD sand.
If it is a new tank and you feel you must wash the sand then add it to an empty tank, add water, use a powerhead to mix it up pretty good and then use a siphon to remove the water. Repeat several times. Keep in mind that every time you wash it, in your tank, in a bucket or otherwise, you will loose the smaller particles. Doing it in the tank as opposed to doing it in a bucket seems easier to me since in the tank you have a larger footprint to work with and you save some steps.
Once again, on the chemical thing: Southdown claims that the sand is UNTREATED. They caim that all they do is remove larger particles. Do a search on SouthDown and you can read for yourself. They don't use pesticide on sand!
Ernie
No one I have heard from on this board or others has had problems with using unwashed SD sand.
If it is a new tank and you feel you must wash the sand then add it to an empty tank, add water, use a powerhead to mix it up pretty good and then use a siphon to remove the water. Repeat several times. Keep in mind that every time you wash it, in your tank, in a bucket or otherwise, you will loose the smaller particles. Doing it in the tank as opposed to doing it in a bucket seems easier to me since in the tank you have a larger footprint to work with and you save some steps.
Once again, on the chemical thing: Southdown claims that the sand is UNTREATED. They caim that all they do is remove larger particles. Do a search on SouthDown and you can read for yourself. They don't use pesticide on sand!
Ernie
I know 4 people that have had problems with southdown
mainly from iron filings they have found in it has caused some serious algae blooms
I would sift it with a fine mesh screen
to remove unwanted particles
washing it will not do too good
but if ya want to wash that much
fill a clean/new trash can full of water pour the sand into the water that will "wash" it
as far as tap water and all that I ouwldnt worry too much using it to wash the sand
the amount of "junk" it will absorb will cycle out very quickly
[ August 18, 2001: Message edited by: Phishmon ]
mainly from iron filings they have found in it has caused some serious algae blooms
I would sift it with a fine mesh screen
to remove unwanted particles
washing it will not do too good
but if ya want to wash that much
fill a clean/new trash can full of water pour the sand into the water that will "wash" it
as far as tap water and all that I ouwldnt worry too much using it to wash the sand
the amount of "junk" it will absorb will cycle out very quickly
[ August 18, 2001: Message edited by: Phishmon ]
Im not saying they use pesticides Im just using pesticides on our vegetables as an example. I also recall at post in which the individual spoke to a SouthDown representative who told him they hoopers which could have previous contained gravel, cement, etc. Similarly he also said they use some spray to prevent the sand from sticking (or something to that effect). I agree its a pain in the but to wash it (took me 45 min to wash 250lbs), but for peace of mind its worth it!!!
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