Very Old Sand- how do I use it? - Page 2

Flippers4pups · 01/05/2013, 10:15 AM

I wouldn't use it.

hllywd · 01/05/2013, 10:32 AM

I don't see it leaching anything that wasn't already there, you know it's history so that shouldn't be a problem. I always rinse new sand, or old I'm reusing with the garden hose in the back yard. It takes way too much water for a thorough rinsing than would be reasonable with either synthetic salt water, or RO. I wouldn't like any scenario using the old sand where you don't conventionally cycle the system. A complete cycle should clean up any residual organics by the time you stock the tank.

hllywd · 01/05/2013, 10:40 AM

If you just want to store it, I'd say either way. Drying it would be a pain, but probably not too difficult, and it would be somewhat lighter to handle. New packaged sand is usually dry, but I've had some that was damp too. The Carib Sea Live Sand comes wet. I've had some of that a couple years out of date, rinsed it, and used it with no issues.

hillscp · 01/05/2013, 11:31 AM

The sand in my tank has been in two different tanks, combined into one and in continual use since 1995.

I wouldn't hesitate to use "OLD" sand as long as I know its history.

hillscp · 01/05/2013, 11:40 AM

The sand in my tank has been in two different tanks, combined into one and in continual use since 1995.

I wouldn't hesitate to use "OLD" sand as long as I know its history.

karimwassef · 01/05/2013, 10:47 PM

My sand was essentially in an air tight package just like the live sand is sold... I just know it was dirty cause I made it dirty before I sealed it.

I'll wash and cycle with it and we'll see what happens before anything live goes in - except the caulerpa maybe. If it fails, I'll reset the tank.

01/05/2013, 10:15 AM	#26
Flippers4pups Home made abyss Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lake Saint Louis, MO Posts: 2,047	I wouldn't use it. __________________ Don Reefing since 1993 Current Tank info: 125 gallon DT , 125 gallon basement sump. Rw 15 & Rw 8. Panworld 150ps return. Reef Octopus 150 skimmer, 3 165w mars aqua led.

01/05/2013, 10:32 AM	#27
hllywd Premier World Traveler Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,293	I don't see it leaching anything that wasn't already there, you know it's history so that shouldn't be a problem. I always rinse new sand, or old I'm reusing with the garden hose in the back yard. It takes way too much water for a thorough rinsing than would be reasonable with either synthetic salt water, or RO. I wouldn't like any scenario using the old sand where you don't conventionally cycle the system. A complete cycle should clean up any residual organics by the time you stock the tank. __________________ "The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it..." J.M. Barrie Current Tank Info: 210 AGA RR, Apex, 3x Kessil A360W & 2x 80W T5s, GEO 618 Ca Rx, BM220 CS2 skimmer, Tunze 6100s, 42" ETSS/AE Tech refugium/sump

01/05/2013, 10:40 AM	#28
hllywd Premier World Traveler Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,293	If you just want to store it, I'd say either way. Drying it would be a pain, but probably not too difficult, and it would be somewhat lighter to handle. New packaged sand is usually dry, but I've had some that was damp too. The Carib Sea Live Sand comes wet. I've had some of that a couple years out of date, rinsed it, and used it with no issues. __________________ "The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it..." J.M. Barrie Current Tank Info: 210 AGA RR, Apex, 3x Kessil A360W & 2x 80W T5s, GEO 618 Ca Rx, BM220 CS2 skimmer, Tunze 6100s, 42" ETSS/AE Tech refugium/sump

01/05/2013, 11:31 AM	#29
hillscp Soylent Green is People!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 759	The sand in my tank has been in two different tanks, combined into one and in continual use since 1995. I wouldn't hesitate to use "OLD" sand as long as I know its history. __________________ 125 AGA, 240W DIY MultiChip LED's, Mated pair Clowns, Fox Face, Kole Tang, Purple Tang, 6 Line, CBB, Acanthophyllia, 7 RBTA's, T. Maxima, Orange Monti, Green Monti, seriatopora guttatus, fungia sp Current Tank Info: Salt water since 1995

01/05/2013, 11:40 AM	#30
hillscp Soylent Green is People!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 759	The sand in my tank has been in two different tanks, combined into one and in continual use since 1995. I wouldn't hesitate to use "OLD" sand as long as I know its history. __________________ 125 AGA, 240W DIY MultiChip LED's, Mated pair Clowns, Fox Face, Kole Tang, Purple Tang, 6 Line, CBB, Acanthophyllia, 7 RBTA's, T. Maxima, Orange Monti, Green Monti, seriatopora guttatus, fungia sp Current Tank Info: Salt water since 1995

01/05/2013, 10:47 PM	#31
karimwassef Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 11,033	My sand was essentially in an air tight package just like the live sand is sold... I just know it was dirty cause I made it dirty before I sealed it. I'll wash and cycle with it and we'll see what happens before anything live goes in - except the caulerpa maybe. If it fails, I'll reset the tank.