Collecting top layer of sand

[DmitryB]

I'm got great live sand from GLT, but the larger particles (shell fragments, etc.) have settled on top of the sandbed, making it rough. What's a way to siphon off the top layer and leave the finer particles behind? (I'd put what I siphon off into a refugium.)

 

[DmitryB]

Also what tools would you recommend to sift the large batch of sand I will order in the future for a 170 tank so only the finer sand goes into that from the beginning?

 

[DmitryB]

 

[psidriven]

i used a fish net to get the larger particles out of my sugar fine sandbed. probably not the best but works well enough.

think landscapers have those sieves or soil sifters that may work for dry sand. how fine are you looking for? might be easier just to buy the correct grade and save yourself the labor.

 

[DmitryB]

I'm not looking for super fine, just not the broken seashells, etc. I like the fully live sand in general, just would like to filter out the sand from the larger ocean debris. It's trickier with sand already in the tank!

 

[BryanM]

I'm not looking for super fine, just not the broken seashells, etc. I like the fully live sand in general, just would like to filter out the sand from the larger ocean debris. It's trickier with sand already in the tank!

I'd start by vacuuming the sand if you haven't as you're going to be stirring things up when you go to collect the shell fragments/etc.

I think the best way is indeed a fish net.

 

[DmitryB]

I have no fish in the tank yet so I think the detritus is going to be minimal.

 

[slingfox]

Siphon out the top layer of sand into a bucket. Then run the sand collected through a sieve to sift out the finer sand which you can add back into the display tank.

 

[DmitryB]

Siphon out the top layer of sand into a bucket. Then run the sand collected through a sieve to sift out the finer sand which you can add back into the display tank.

You think the python would manage the siphoning?

 

[slingfox]

You think the python would manage the siphoning?

Yes I have used a Python to siphon out sand form my tank on several occasions. Works great!

 

[Reefering1]

Keep in mind that the larger pieces/ shells didn't settle on top, the finer sand has been blown away by water flow leaving the bigger pieces on top. So if you remove the bigger pieces, more fine sand will be blown away leaving bare glass and more larger pieces that break flow from blowing the sand away.