Black diamond blasting sand

[Irecruitfish]

I purchased 100lb of this stuff for my 125 and thought I did a good job of rinising it before putting in the tank. Went to fill the tank and holy cow this stuff floats around a ton.

Do I have to keep washing it out or this is how it will be? I'm afraid to turn on the filter with this sand floating all over the place. It's medium grit too.

 

[TwoHedWlf]

I purchased 100lb of this stuff for my 125 and thought I did a good job of rinising it before putting in the tank. Went to fill the tank and holy cow this stuff floats around a ton.

Do I have to keep washing it out or this is how it will be? I'm afraid to turn on the filter with this sand floating all over the place. It's medium grit too.

That's normal for any kind of sand. Turn the filter on, change the water, should clear up in 2-3 weeks, maybe 40.

 

[Yoimbrian]

To give you a reference I washed my sand in a 30 gallon bucket before use. I added water, swirled and mixed it for a few minutes, then poured it out - and repeated.

I literally did 22 rinses over 4 days before the rinse water looked clean. But, I could add it in by shoveling in to the top of the water and it settled nicely zero clouding.

So I guess the question is what do you consider a "good job" rinsing?

 

[Itsadeepbluesea]

It is very light stuff, you'll find that if you pour water in it is disturbed quite quickly. I would just try to siphon out anything that is floating and then turn on the filter.

 

[Irecruitfish]

To give you a reference I washed my sand in a 30 gallon bucket before use. I added water, swirled and mixed it for a few minutes, then poured it out - and repeated.

I literally did 22 rinses over 4 days before the rinse water looked clean. But, I could add it in by shoveling in to the top of the water and it settled nicely zero clouding.

So I guess the question is what do you consider a "good job" rinsing?

I did the same thing as you in terms of rinising it but in a 5 gallon bucket under hot water but about 5 times. I messed up there. I'll rinse and siphon until I feel the film is minimized. 30 gallon bucket! That's a Monster bucket. I have national geographic white sand in my other 125 and that required very little finding. But the price is astronomically higher.

 

[Irecruitfish]

It is very light stuff, you'll find that if you pour water in it is disturbed quite quickly. I would just try to siphon out anything that is floating and then turn on the filter.

This very very light I'm also considering buying another black sand to put as a top layer on this. I do not want this getting siphoned into my basements ejector pump.

 

[nzafi]

Is BDS really that light? I was surprised how heavy it was when I used it. I have never used other sand or PFS to compare against it though. What do you tthink is the heaviest sand out there?

Now that your tank is filled you only have two options: 1) empty and re-wash 2) turn the filters on. If you have strong mechanical filtration, I would turn the filters on and let them to the clean up. I would make sure to stir up the BDS to get as much gunk out of it.

 

[MrsE88]

I was just looking this stuff up last night. Lol
I want to try sand but have never used any before. Just Incase I hate it I don’t want to spend a lot.

Do you think instead of rinsing in a bucket that washing it on a window screen would work? How small is it?
Mind posting a picture with some spread out on your hand?

 

[Davidiator]

I used pool filter sand and loved it...
It was clean by the next day and i only rinsed the sand 2 times!!!

 

[Irecruitfish]

Is BDS really that light? I was surprised how heavy it was when I used it. I have never used other sand or PFS to compare against it though. What do you tthink is the heaviest sand out there?

Now that your tank is filled you only have two options: 1) empty and re-wash 2) turn the filters on. If you have strong mechanical filtration, I would turn the filters on and let them to the clean up. I would make sure to stir up the BDS to get as much gunk out of it.

I think I'm going to leave it in there and rinse and drain scooping up manually the film. I've only use national geographic white sand before and it's very heavy compared to this stuff.