Limiting Silicate Contamination When Adding Sand to Existing Tank

[ReefinManhattan]

I have to add sand to my reef tank due to thin spots from taking out clumps. Every time I do that, it triggers a diatom explosion--last time I lost some really nice SPS. So I've come up with a plan to process the new sand to limit silicate leakage that I'd like feedback on.
First, I'm going to place the sand in a large zippered media bag. Then I will run water over it until it runs clear. Step 3 is to put the bag in a 5 gallon bucket and let water trickle into it, perhaps overnight. Finally, I will replace the water in the bucket and add a small media bag full of PhosBan and soak for 24 hours.
What do people think? Will it work, too much, any alternate ideas?

 

[brandon429]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-official-sand-rinse-thread-aka-one-against-many.230281/

that whole thread agrees with your idea

I wouldn't even bag it, that'll retain some silt/diatom food.

id direct rinse in a paint bucket or the like

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

First, I'm going to place the sand in a large zippered media bag. Then I will run water over it until it runs clear. Step 3 is to put the bag in a 5 gallon bucket and let water trickle into it, perhaps overnight. Finally, I will replace the water in the bucket and add a small media bag full of PhosBan and soak for 24 hours.
What do people think? Will it work, too much, any alternate ideas?

What type of sand?

What sort of rinse water? Tap water often has a lot of silicate in it.

I'm not sure how readily you can rinse out what may be inclusions of silicate minerals with a short rinse like this, but it won't hurt.

 

[ReefinManhattan]

I just bought a bag of CaribSea Arag-Alive FCC Course sand. I plan to use it to fill in a divot in the front-center of my tank where the current from my wavemakers and my return converge. Hopefully, the larger grains will stay put. I was planning on rinsing with RODI water.