How do I rinse sand?

[cash2170]

I just bought some very fine marine sand. The bag says to rinse the sand before use. How do I rinse the sugar-like sand? Thanks for the help.

 

[aquaman]

Put the sand in a deep bucket or trashcan (clean / never used) and rinse with a garden hose, it will get out the dust and leave the sand. Now test it first, because if it is too fine you will loose the sand, so try turning the water down. It is a good idea to do this outside and not in a sink as you will lose some sand to the water and you do not want that in your pipes

 

[thomas712]

If it is aragonite sand it needs no rinsing. You would lose alot of silt rinsing, and silt is good.

 

[nm reef]

Why rinse it? The whole point of sugar grain sand is the increase in surface area via the millions of tiny grains....even washing away the silt can reduce the over all effectiveness. Just pre-cycle it if you must...but don't waste the fine particles by rinsing it away.:thinking:

 

[arkey.d]

You can place the sand in a pillowcase and rinse it that way.

 

[primetime]

I just bought about 120 pounds of aragonite sand today, and my LFS instructed me to rinse it first before I put it in my new tank.
What should I do?? This is

[hr]
load of sand to rinse.
Anybody wanna assist in the rinsing process??

 

[primetime]

Hey Guys--
I just did some research online and came up with some info on rinsing--This info is from
LINKS LIKE THAT ONE ARE NOT ALLOWED HERE***

[hr]
Recommendations
We do not recommend rinsing your aragonite. The various size grains
are all necessary to provide you with the ultimate sand bed environment.
Grain sizes vary from 0.18 to1.2mm,
perfect for reef systems.
Buffers to the highest level, maintains pH
Helps reduce nitrates
Provides trace elements such as strontium
and magnesium

[hr]
So with this being said, I believe it is safe not to rinse.
also, I have one question as well.
If my tank is 195gal--
I bought 80 pounds of Agaronite reef sand and 80 pounds live sand. Will this be enough for FO?
Thanks,
Dion