The Puffer Forum

wash sand, a small amount at a time, in a bucket while adding water from a hose
use your hand to gently agitate the sand while adding water
pour off silty water
repeat, repeat, repeat, ...............as necessary

That's how I did it, it took about an hour, but I did it in small batches, and I also put way way too much sand in.

Being more than a little compulsive, I'd say all "pre-washed" sand needs to be washed. And quite likely washed again and again...

Yep, mine was 'pre-washed'. Just not to my standards. Pre-washed = spotlessly clean in my book.

Prewashed = still dirty, prepare to spend hours washing it! XD

I wish prewashed really meant prewashed good enough.

I've found crayola play sand that was cleaner than prewashed aquarium sand.

Lol but isn't it dyed or something? I'd love to buy a big cheap bag of sand or gravel for the 55 but don't know what would be aquarium safe if it isn't bought from the lfs...

Oh yea it's safe, just wash the heck out of it. You can get uncolored play sand for 5 bucks a bag...but wash, wash, wash!

I added two bags of black sand and fiji pink sand along with play sand for a beautiful bottom IMO. It's all washed and now in the process of cycling so I can move my 3 damsel fish and 2 puffers. They are all juvenile.

I have a question regarding bio spira bacteria. I have some being shipped to my home now. Once I dump the whole bottom (which almost immediately cycled my old tank) how long should I wait on a 75 gallon tank? Also, I still don't know what to cover to 2in PVC pipe with because it has a mean suction. I don't want the small fish to get sucked into it.

You must add an ammonia source; either ammonia, food or fish, immediately after adding B-S.

But play sand is an ugly orange color D:

Play sand's "natural color" varies hugely with the actual source. So what is sold locally to you in Ca. is highly unlikely to be the same as what is locally to me in Md.

=o never thought of that! I'll have to go check it out... The ugly orange color I mentioned was in Louisiana about 10 years ago... Maybe I'll get some California sand lol

The play sand I added is mode of a brown type color. I've added fish food into the tank alread to allow it to create ammonia. I have to still add some salt to get my aquarium to the right salinity