Cleaning Play Sand

[TeebD]

If I was to put pool filter sand / play sand into my aquarium, what would be the appropriate way to clean it so I know that I'm not getting anything into my tank?

[Discus_Dude]

I just used a clean 5G bucket from Home Depot and filled it almost full with water and poured my sand in slowly to sink to the bottom. Once the bucket is half full of sand stir it around a bit to loosen any further dust and debris, which will float. Allow it all to settle and pour off the water on top, add new water and repeat a few times until the top water is relatively clear.

To add to the aquarium,preferrable empty, add sand and spread, put a bowl on top and pour tank water in slowly to be deflected by the bowl to prevent mixing it up. Once your tank is about half full you can remove the bowl and continue to add water.

Worked well for me. Hope it helps!

[Northernguy]

The best way to clean sand is outside with a bucket and a hose.
Fill the bucket with about 4" of sand and turn on the hose.Push the hose into the sand and let the bucket fill up and overflow.As it overflows keep turning over the sand until the dust stops flowing out over the sides.It takes about 15-20 minutes per bucket.
Unfortunately this is the best way to clean it.Its a summer job,I do not suggest doing it in the house in a laundry sink.You will fill the drain with sand.

[annageckos]

This is how I do it. Take a clean/fish bucket add sand. I use a cup and only put a little in at a time so it is not too heavy after it is wet. This also let's you get more of the dust and other particals off. Put a couple inches of sand in bucket. If you have a deep sink like used in laundry rooms that is best, if not a bathtub works fine. Turn on water, put bucket under running water. Using either your hand or long handle spoon or the like stir sand under running water. This way takes me only a couple of minutes a 'batch'. Keep stirring and dumping off the dirty water untill it is clear(or mostly clear if there are no fish in the tank currently). I just did this the other day. Took me less than a half hour to do. And that is with taking breaks because of my back. I tried using a pillow case(put sand in pillow case, run water over while 'swishing' it around) but felt it took longer, was harder on my back and didn't get the sand as clean. There are other ways, this is my way.