CA2OR Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 I have sand that has been sitting in a bucket of saltwater for about 3 months. Is it possible to still use it? As I said it has been in water, but it is old dirty sand, the water has been stagnant as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 I wouldn't. It's not worth the risk. as ypu said it is already stagnant. If ya find it has to be, then wash the hell out of it. Boil it. wash again and spread it out to air dry or bake it after the rest is done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted January 17, 2009 Author Share Posted January 17, 2009 What about if I use this stuff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted January 17, 2009 Author Share Posted January 17, 2009 I know the "just add fish" is probably BS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 I know the "just add fish" is probably BS. I don't know what the shelf live is. There is no such thing as no cycle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted January 17, 2009 Author Share Posted January 17, 2009 So same thing...I would have to cure it? Is there any way to speed up the process? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 In this hobby "speeding up" tends to lead to death. You can use it, or get sand and seed it with sand from other fuges. I like the seeding method as you also get "life" as a bonus to bacteria, And a lot cheeper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kriswaters Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Seeding is usually a good thing. Using LR from an existing system can work wonders. You still can have an NH spike and kill all the fish off...I switched tanks, tried to move things slowly....things went to heck, had to get the fish out of the old tank and put them straight into the new tank (I should have kept them in the bucket while I had em') and the developed ich, death, ammonia spike, more death, ammonia burn...and now I and the tank are recovering. Be prepared to combat the negatives should they arrise... Kris 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted January 17, 2009 Author Share Posted January 17, 2009 Well I am changing from one tank to another so can I "seed" with my current sand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 The bagged sand is not a bad deal. You can buy it from a lfs and it works out pretty good. I used it on my current set up and had almost no cycle with water from an established tank. I am planning on using bagged sand on my new set up as I will never pull sand from an old set up and put it in a new one. Just a cup if any as if you take alot out its a cyano outbreak waiting to happen(scary) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted January 17, 2009 Author Share Posted January 17, 2009 got it. Ok so mostly new sand, very little old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Yes and no if you have a big system you can use old sand if you bake it and kill all the bacteria out of it. But if a small system then yes just save the time and buy 30 dollars of new sand and be done with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted January 17, 2009 Author Share Posted January 17, 2009 That is what I will do. I only have a 12g right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadReefer Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Old sand is fine to use as long as you take the right steps when adding it. If adding to a running tank, rinse very well and add little bits at a time. If setting up a new system, rinse well. The common step here is rinse well before use. I didn't rinse once and had a nitrate spike that lasted for two months. Pest algae grew and that sucks. So rinse your old sand before you reuse it. And for you people out there that think that you can't reuse sand, please give it to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted January 17, 2009 Author Share Posted January 17, 2009 Hey MadReefer, did you see my other thread regarding old sand? If not can you check it out and give me some advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Old sand is fine to use as long as you take the right steps when adding it. If adding to a running tank, rinse very well and add little bits at a time. If setting up a new system, rinse well. The common step here is rinse well before use. I didn't rinse once and had a nitrate spike that lasted for two months. Pest algae grew and that sucks. So rinse your old sand before you reuse it. And for you people out there that think that you can't reuse sand, please give it to me. You can re use it but you have to rinse and rinse and rinse well you ge the picture. Plus if it was me I would bake it and clean it a few more timesDOH! I have tried old sand in the past and have also rinsed it out alot of times but it always comes back and bites you in the A** With the money that is spent on our tanks what is 30 dollars worth of sand? If it was me I would just spend the 20 or 30 new sand and be done with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 A number of the shops in the area have bulk sand - 90% bulk and 10% seed from another tank. When I set up my cube I will be going this route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Well I am changing from one tank to another so can I "seed" with my current sand? and what are you going to seed. New sand, yes. The old that you where asking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted January 17, 2009 Author Share Posted January 17, 2009 Oh. yeah can I seed my new sand with my old? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Yes, it is standard practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted January 17, 2009 Author Share Posted January 17, 2009 OK....so when seeding. I only use a little of my old sand right? And by old I mean the stuff that is in my current running tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 yes. Sand from running tank into new tank on top of new sand. If you don't want the bucket of old sand to go to waste, bring it to the meeting and give it to me. I can either clean it up and pass it on to the next teacher tank, or use it for DIY rock to put in the next teacher tank. dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted January 17, 2009 Author Share Posted January 17, 2009 yes. Sand from running tank into new tank on top of new sand. If you don't want the bucket of old sand to go to waste, bring it to the meeting and give it to me. I can either clean it up and pass it on to the next teacher tank, or use it for DIY rock to put in the next teacher tank. dsoz I will do that. There is some LRR in there too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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