Using sand as substrate

I was interested in using sand as a substrate for my 55gal I am going to set up and I know I have to rinse it really well but, I was unsure if there is an "easy" method to this as I can't just use something to strain the sand out of the water...

 

When I rinse sand, I generally just put it in a big 5 gallon bucket and run a hose in it. I let the bucket constantly overflow while I stir up the sand with the hose.

-Chelle

 

I do the same thing

 

Something that I am using that is very nice is pool filter sand. It is very inexpensive and does not produce the extreme cloudyness that regular sand does. You can buy it at any pool filter supply company.
Costs about 20 american dollars for 50 pounds.

 

We use sand in all of our tanks, and the only issue we've had is that the HOB filter s*cks up some sand and the filter makes a horrible noise. Make sure the down tube doesn't get too close to the sand.

 

very good point you can put a mesh around the bottom of the filter so that it does not suck up sand the only pron may be is the it won't process as much water

 

I have a wet/dry filter that uses an overflow hole so I am not worried about sand getting to the top of the tank. Should I be?

 

also I have a mesh filter before it goes into the plastic balls so rinsing that out every once in awhile would make sure to not clog up the filter with sand. right?