How to get sand out of a tank without scratching it?

[eshook]

I just emptied my tank, but have some sand that I could not scoop out. Is there a good method of removing it from the tank without scratching the @*#$ out of the glass? Or do I just rinse with water and hope for the best?

Any advice appreciated.

[Kemo484]

If you can carry it outside, turn it upside down and hose it out with a garden hose. If you can't do that wait until the sand dries and use a vacume hose.

[eshook]

Excellent ideas kemo! Welcome to Reef Central btw!

Nice choice with the red sea max. I have heard good things about them. I am dropping my 29 gallon for a 24 gallon nanocube. Much easier to maintain, because its a closed top.

[reefgrief]

I have luck with a wet dry vac.. it removes sand, small gravel, and water safely

If you wash the vac and foam filter before use, the sand will be useable again ( dont wash with soap or detergent.. and if u feel you must sanitize it first, use hydrogen peroxide to avoid killing your fish/inverts later from surfactants or chloramine.

If you have a large tank, empty the collected sand into a clean 5 gal bucket...and continue.

good luck

[eshook]

I hand scooped most of the sand into a 5 gallon bucket and plan to re-use it later. I am left with a small layer of sand and didn't want to just tip the tank and have 1 side scratched up from the small sand particles rubbing on the glass. It seems the easiest solution is to let it dry and vacuum it up because I don't have a wet dry vac