Upgrading sump, should I reuse deep sand bed from old refugium?

edsbeaker · 10/17/2008, 10:52 AM

Hi,
I am about to upgrade to my new sump. I have about 6 inches, maybe 30 lbs. of sand in the old refugium. The sand has been in there for only 5 months. Would I be OK reusing this sand, or am I better off starting with new sand?

Thanks

C. Friesen · 10/17/2008, 11:39 AM

Hi, I would reuse it. Just try not to stir it up to much. You could also rinse it out to remove the detritus and use it that way. Anyway you look at it the new sand will not have beneficial bacteria on it when you get it and it will have to be seeded. This way the bacteria will come from the sand you already had. Your sand is also not that old, so I dont think you will be releasing a lot of detritus when you move the old sand around.

Your biggest concern is releasing anaerobic bacteria into your system. I feel that if you shut down the old sump, remove the sand from it and place it in the new sump and add the fresh rinsed sand to the top you should be just fine. This way anything you have stirred up is covered and the new sand will be seeded with the bacteria from your old sump.

Hope this helps,

Chris

10/17/2008, 10:52 AM	#1
edsbeaker Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bartlett, IL Posts: 857	Upgrading sump, should I reuse deep sand bed from old refugium? Hi, I am about to upgrade to my new sump. I have about 6 inches, maybe 30 lbs. of sand in the old refugium. The sand has been in there for only 5 months. Would I be OK reusing this sand, or am I better off starting with new sand? Thanks

10/17/2008, 11:39 AM	#2
C. Friesen Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Posts: 50	Hi, I would reuse it. Just try not to stir it up to much. You could also rinse it out to remove the detritus and use it that way. Anyway you look at it the new sand will not have beneficial bacteria on it when you get it and it will have to be seeded. This way the bacteria will come from the sand you already had. Your sand is also not that old, so I dont think you will be releasing a lot of detritus when you move the old sand around. Your biggest concern is releasing anaerobic bacteria into your system. I feel that if you shut down the old sump, remove the sand from it and place it in the new sump and add the fresh rinsed sand to the top you should be just fine. This way anything you have stirred up is covered and the new sand will be seeded with the bacteria from your old sump. Hope this helps, Chris