live sand question

Hsimpson · 01/03/2011, 01:23 AM

hello
I'm new to the hobby and I just bought a tank used.The guy also gave me some live sand.It has been stored out side in a styrofoam container for 3-4 months.So is it still good?Is it worth the trouble to rince it and reuse it?Oh and btw it is really corse.

Thanks in advance,Aren

Michael · 01/03/2011, 02:15 AM

Hi-I wouldn't use it as there could be anything in there, I suppose if it is washed thouroughly it may be ok, but personally I would go and buy a bag of a medium or sugar sized aragonite sand, wash it out and then add that to my new tank, JMO.

SwampyBill · 01/03/2011, 03:12 AM

I agree, it's prolly not live sand anymore, having sat outside in a styrofoam container all that time. Get some medium or sugar grain sand, rinse it out thoroughly then add slowly to your tank not to cause a sandstorm cloud. If you're lucky enough to have a great LFS in your area (like my favorite here in Tampa Bay), they may give you a cup of live sand from their display tanks to help u seed your tank. Good luck! btw, where are you in Orange County? I was stationed there back in the 'Dark Ages'...

Mr.Maska · 01/03/2011, 06:52 AM

well to save some cash u can wash some of the sand then for top layer put new stuff after rising it as well. life is a budget

Angel*Fish · 01/03/2011, 10:46 AM

What kind of sand is it? Some sands are very expensive, it might be worth saving. Edit: I missed the part about it being very coarse - never mind

Michael · 01/03/2011, 10:48 AM

sounds like crushed coral Marie, as he said it was very coarse

Michael · 01/03/2011, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angel*Fish

What kind of sand is it? Some sands are very expensive, it might be worth saving. Edit: I missed the part about it being very coarse - never mind

never mind my post either

Sitaga · 01/03/2011, 10:55 AM

Throwing anything away out of the ocean seems to be a waste - both ecologically and economically. Wash the stuff well - maybe even boil it, but try to use it if you can. If you can't use it, try to find an exerienced reefer that can clean and use it. When selling/giving it away, explain everything you know about the sand, so the new owner can properly clean it before using it.

Hsimpson · 01/03/2011, 01:12 PM

thanks for all the advice.I belive I'll try and salvage it.I do like the corse look to it.

I'm in garden grove now. I grew up in tustin.

Michael · 01/04/2011, 01:11 AM

I think your making a mistake, it may well be crushed coral and you will rue the day you added it, one day you will wish you added a fine or medium grade sand, JMO.

01/03/2011, 01:23 AM	#1
Hsimpson Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: orange county,ca. Posts: 37	live sand question hello I'm new to the hobby and I just bought a tank used.The guy also gave me some live sand.It has been stored out side in a styrofoam container for 3-4 months.So is it still good?Is it worth the trouble to rince it and reuse it?Oh and btw it is really corse. Thanks in advance,Aren

01/03/2011, 02:15 AM	#2
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	Hi-I wouldn't use it as there could be anything in there, I suppose if it is washed thouroughly it may be ok, but personally I would go and buy a bag of a medium or sugar sized aragonite sand, wash it out and then add that to my new tank, JMO. __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

01/03/2011, 03:12 AM	#3
SwampyBill Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: St. Pete, FL. Posts: 2,369	I agree, it's prolly not live sand anymore, having sat outside in a styrofoam container all that time. Get some medium or sugar grain sand, rinse it out thoroughly then add slowly to your tank not to cause a sandstorm cloud. If you're lucky enough to have a great LFS in your area (like my favorite here in Tampa Bay), they may give you a cup of live sand from their display tanks to help u seed your tank. Good luck! btw, where are you in Orange County? I was stationed there back in the 'Dark Ages'... __________________ I love me some wrasse... & laissez les bon temps rouler! Current Tank Info: 120 gal Vizio

01/03/2011, 06:52 AM	#4
Mr.Maska Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Springfield,Mass Posts: 317	well to save some cash u can wash some of the sand then for top layer put new stuff after rising it as well. life is a budget __________________ Look at the beautiful creatures in your tanks in amazement, now look to the sovereign God who created them. Current Tank Info: 210 gallon 72x25x30, hamilton belize sun fixture 3x400 watt mh, 2 t5's 80watts.reefbrite all blue48" supplement light, octo extreme250 skimmer, 80 gal sump/40gal refug 40 gal bow front hospital tank

01/03/2011, 10:46 AM	#5
Angel*Fish cats and large squashes Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Houston Posts: 5,951 Blog Entries: 1	What kind of sand is it? Some sands are very expensive, it might be worth saving. Edit: I missed the part about it being very coarse - never mind __________________ Marie So long, & thanks for all the fish! __________________________ Current Tank Info: Pairs: flame angels, cherub angels, Red Sea mimic blennies, yellow fin fairy wrasses, clowns, mandarins, blackcap basslets, shrimp gobies, damsels, dispar anthias, yellow clown gobies, threadfin cardinals --- Tanks: 100g reef, 2 x 30g refugiums

01/03/2011, 10:48 AM	#6
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	sounds like crushed coral Marie, as he said it was very coarse __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

01/03/2011, 10:55 AM	#8
Sitaga Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 51	Throwing anything away out of the ocean seems to be a waste - both ecologically and economically. Wash the stuff well - maybe even boil it, but try to use it if you can. If you can't use it, try to find an exerienced reefer that can clean and use it. When selling/giving it away, explain everything you know about the sand, so the new owner can properly clean it before using it.

01/03/2011, 01:12 PM	#9
Hsimpson Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: orange county,ca. Posts: 37	thanks for all the advice.I belive I'll try and salvage it.I do like the corse look to it. I'm in garden grove now. I grew up in tustin. Last edited by Hsimpson; 01/03/2011 at 01:33 PM.

01/04/2011, 01:11 AM	#10
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	I think your making a mistake, it may well be crushed coral and you will rue the day you added it, one day you will wish you added a fine or medium grade sand, JMO. __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

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