I have actually thought of using a cheesecloth. Gonna try the backwashing first and then try backwashing that sandbox sand. They'd just have to buy a lot of cheesecloth. I don't think she'd want to do that. But I might try it if the first three things don't work. I think the third would be the first suggestion.

I'm not following. What kind of sealant? Are you talking each particle or an overall layer of something. Just need more data.

Pool sand? What's that, since pools don't have sand.

The video is for aquariums. The guy doesn't say what kind of sand that is per se. It sounds, from the comments, that the guy just had used any sand--not aquarium sand. I looked at that technique earlier and am going to try it. I saw some cloudiness in other videos, but that was just at first. It settles later.

The decor sand I am testing, by cleaning, is a larger grain since it is made of crushed rocks. But it's actually cloudier than the sand from my beach. After a second wash they've improved....but not enough. Have to try the backwashing.

:spock:

It's the same water coming out of your sink faucet.

Please re read what I wrote. Pool filter sand.

Yes, the video is for aquariums, but that is how you wash sand for whatever application. Not recommended for play sand, due to how light the grains are.

Edit: Also, pool filter sand will not require washing.

Our sink or home water is not very good. I have to add another filter in my shower even. It ruins sinks and faucets with deposits and my hair.

Ah, yes, you did. I just went and look at what it is and how it works.

cdcox's method is exactly what I would do. The key is vertical height, you want a pretty tall container versus the depth of sand. You are trying to float the lightweight particles out of the container while keeping the heavier and typically coarser particles at the bottom.

The Rube-Goldberg, kitchen science experiment approach that would be fun to try is to make a homemade dense media separator using a sugar syrup as the media. The concept is used in mineral processing with great success. You want a liquid with a high specific gravity (density) so that the less-dense particles remain suspended in the liquid and the more-dense particles sink.

I'd make a pretty concentrated simple syrup (just like for making cocktails) so that your media is pretty dense, but not so dense that it just gums everything up. I'd start with a gallon of water or so and probably about that much sugar. Make the syrup and then put about a cup or two of it in a tall glass to test it. Stir in the sand to get it good and mixed up and then watch how it settles. If you have a lot of stuff floating and a good amount of sand at the bottom then it probably worked alright. I'd then carefully pour off the liquid while things are still floating around and suspended in the liquid so you are left with the heavy sand in the bottom. Then I'd rinse that sand really well to get the sugar off and see if it's cloudy at all as you are rinsing it. You should see pretty quickly if it's working or not as the sugar, while sticky, shouldn't cloud the water.

If everything sinks quickly in your test glass then I'd add more sugar to the rest of the main mixture and try again.

Once you have a mixture that gives you clean sand it's time to scale it up to something like a glass pitcher and process the rest of the sand that you need.

That's way more work than cdcox's method, but would be tons more fun.

Yeah, that is a ton of work. Don't know if I have the time, especially for a freebie.

What I don't get is that instructions under the stem vase picture I posted actually states:

Just pour in some sand, add water, your shell(s) then top with your floating candle....so easy!

That was why I thought it was also our water here. That is after I did one cleaning ( not your way) and allowing it to settle.

The explanation as to how cdcox's method works and extra tips helps though.

It would probably be about that easy if you had really clean sand to begin with. Natural sand won't be that clean though. If you still suspect your water try it with distilled water and see how it looks.

My guess is that after several minutes of washing your sand in the bucket and hose you will have pretty clean sand that will work just fine. It just takes a lot of washing to get it good and clean.

I could always switch to river rock on the bottom...but that would cost more money for her. Perhaps just use shells on the bottom.

I do think I need to do that backwashing technique first. I am going to try it this weekend. Already the simple rinses so far have helped....just not enough. Shows a change though. I have some bowls with distilled water in them now.

Here's the kicker, the natural sand from my beach is still the clearer over the expensive decor sand. Odd 'eh? I think so.

I also, just found a wedding blog with another woman having the same problem. Those craft sites need to do a better job on how this is done.

Isn't there some sort of liquid glue you can use to make a slurry, pour in the glass and then place the shells? Wait for it to dry, then glue in more shells if needed.

Benefits being that you shouldn't have to worry about cloudiness (maybe rinse a time or two after drying), and when they get knocked over sitting on the table you only have to worry about water and not sand everywhere. Just fill it up again and relight the candle.

The tables are large enough where I am not worried about the centerpieces being knocked. Well unless, of course, a drunken brawl breaks out or the bride's bouquet lands in the bowl of the centerpiece. Lol!

If that happens, I don't think any one expects it to remain in place.

Also, the shells don't need to be glued. They stay down there on the sand. I would think that glue would ruin the glass at the bottom too. I'm sure there are going to be people wanting to take a centerpiece home or at least keep the bowl. There's always a few women that do that.

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