suggestions on cleaning the muck out of a dsb?

[jwalters103]

i broke down my tank because of the seems starting to split and now im trying to clean the funk out of the dsb. it is almost 5 years old and is nasty. ive been taking bits of it out and rinsing under running water, but it takes about 10 minutes to clean about a cup full of sand.l at this rate it will take me weeks to clean the sand enough to reuse. any sugestions on cleaning this stuff out?

[fade32]

Get a Homer bucket or coralife bucket fill 1/2 way up with sand go outside turn the hose on let run for 5 then stir and let run till water turns clean

[chadfarmer]

how do cleanout phosphate in the sandbed


you are killing the sandbed and starting over (right)


why not just buy new sand

[jwalters103]

ill give that a try tomorrow afternoon---thanks

[jwalters103]

yeah. ive killed the sandbed and am starting over. ive thought about buying new sand, but i cant figure out what to do with the sand i have---i just have this thing about not being able to throw stuff away, so id like to reuse it if at all possible. im going to have to add more sand to it because so much of it has dissolved/broke down over the last five years.

[capncapo]

If it is saturated with phosphates, which it most likely is, you would be better off to get new sand, otherwise, you could be fighting algae problems forever.

If the sand is as dirty as it sounds it has more or less been a nutrient sink and will give off those nutrients for a good long time.

[jwalters103]

so i would probably be better off with all new sand then?

[capncapo]

I think you would be better off if you were to replace it. Small cost and a possible saving of your sanity.

[chadfarmer]

personally why take the chance of having algea problems but have other problems of the sand leaching back into the tank.

[jwalters103]

yeah, i guess u guys are right. any suggestions on what to do with the old stuff or should i just trach it?

thanks for the advice

[chadfarmer]

use it in a calcium reactor




























no i would throw it away

[capncapo]

If it's aragonite it can be used in your yard anywhere lime would/could be used. It'll stay around a bit longer than normal lime would but that should be of no concern to you.

The amount of salt that may be in it should be negligible as far as outdoor use is concerned but if you're worried about that a quick rinse will take care of it.

[jwalters103]

never considered that use. im assuming the extra phosphate would help the yard acting as as partial fertilizer?(i say partila because there is no N or K)

[capncapo]

You are correct sir, though I wouldn't think it would cause any huge growth spurts it will provide natural nutrients.

AND eliminate the bad thought of throwing it away.