How do I rinse my live sand?

[JWright0291]

Lots of discussion and I’m probably over thinking it but what is your process for rinsing live sand?
Starting a 20g AIO with dry rock, live sand, and cycling with Dr.Tim’s.

 

[Geebs19]

I think its preference, I did not rinse my live sand, just dropped it right into the tank.

 

[JWright0291]

I think its preference, I did not rinse my live sand, just dropped it right into the tank.

That’s what I’ve gathered as well. I figured it can’t hurt if I do it. However, I don’t know HOW to do it lol do I use like a really fine strainer?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Lots of discussion and I’m probably over thinking it but what is your process for rinsing live sand?
Starting a 20g AIO with dry rock, live sand, and cycling with Dr.Tim’s.

If its live sand, it has live cultures in it, - you do not want to rinse, but use as is

 

[Geebs19]

That’s what I’ve gathered as well. I figured it can’t hurt if I do it. However, I don’t know HOW to do it lol do I use like a really fine strainer?

When I was first getting into the hobby someone gave me a 5 gallon bucket of sand. I ended up not using it, but I did rinse it. So I broke the 5 gallon bucket up into 2 buckets, sink a hose down into the sand and it should essentially run out all the dust particles and other junk, leaving behind clean sand.

 

[Geebs19]

If its live sand, it has live cultures in it, - you do not want to rinse, but use as is

Ive seen so many people rinse live sand and I dont understand it, isnt that just basically killing off everything thats live in there?

 

[Dburr1014]

Ive seen so many people rinse live sand and I dont understand it, isnt that just basically killing off everything thats live in there?

No, bacteria will be fine.
I cringe when people have found fishing hooks in their live sandbags.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Ppl just rinse it to keep the cloudiness down. Im for rinsing old sand and re using it but not for rinsing new live sand or Carib sea sand.
I'm sure the manufacturer has "cleaned" it prior to bagging it and I wouldn't want all the added silicate from the tap water used to rinse it...
D

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ive seen so many people rinse live sand and I dont understand it, isnt that just basically killing off everything thats live in there?

absolutely. Some even come with aragamilk or similar to boost the cultures.
Rinsing defeats the purpose of buying LIVE sand

 

[OscarHaglund]

If its dry sand you put a hose in the bottom of a tub or bucket then pour the sand over and let the water flow until it overflows and runs clear

 

[TriggerFinger]

I am in the sand rinse camp; I rinse “live” bagged sand and dry sand. I am of the opinion that the “live” sand sitting on store shelves is not the same as live sand you would get from TBS where it’s pulled from the ocean. I don’t think bagged live sand anymore beneficial than a bottle of bacteria.
The sand is tossed around during shipping and creates a lot of dust that I don’t want in my tank. It’s silty and foamy if not rinsed.
What I have done is dump 6 inches in a 5g bucket and swish it around with the garden hose until the water runs clear. I put the rinsed sand in a pillow case to dry