Use the old sand?

2FunKids · 02/09/2013, 07:11 AM

Hi fellow reefers...I purchased a used set up 4 months ago and am completing my fish-less cycle to make sure there isn't any Ich in the DT. I have a bare bottom refugium set up with Cheato and I would like to use the old sand In the refugium. Months back I put all new special grade in the DT. Before I put the old sand in the bucket I rinsed it really well but the other day I started rinsing it again and there is a lot of hydrogen sulfide smell coming from the sand. Should I just give up on this sand and go buy some sand from the LFS? Could this old sand be full of phosphates? My DT is fully cycled with a good qty of LPS/SPS corals.

Thanks

TomTheWicked · 02/09/2013, 08:08 AM

I'm sure you'll get a mixed bag of answers for this, but if it were me, I would likely just buy new sand.

If you're not in a hurry, you might put the old sand in a bucket and cycle it for a few months to see if you can hold good parameters with it. The smell should go away once the organics have been soaked and rinsed.

Mr. Bill · 02/09/2013, 08:26 AM

If in doubt, throw it out. Sand is not that expensive, so IMO, it's not worth the risk or effort.

Denbf58 · 02/09/2013, 08:35 AM

i would not use that sand unless you clean it very good then let it dry and rinsed again that said it is alot of work to save old sand

usmc121581 · 02/09/2013, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denbf58

i would not use that sand unless you clean it very good then let it dry and rinsed again that said it is alot of work to save old sand

I would re use it, but would do one heck of a cleaning job, then letting it dry out a while. This is only if your in no hurry. If you are go buy new sand.

bnumair · 02/09/2013, 11:20 AM

i agree above. either lose the sand or clean it very well before using again.

2FunKids · 02/09/2013, 01:23 PM

I think I will rinse some more and see how bad it smells, based on these responses the odds are I am going to dump it. Thanks!

02/09/2013, 07:11 AM	#1
2FunKids Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Middleville Posts: 156	Use the old sand? Hi fellow reefers...I purchased a used set up 4 months ago and am completing my fish-less cycle to make sure there isn't any Ich in the DT. I have a bare bottom refugium set up with Cheato and I would like to use the old sand In the refugium. Months back I put all new special grade in the DT. Before I put the old sand in the bucket I rinsed it really well but the other day I started rinsing it again and there is a lot of hydrogen sulfide smell coming from the sand. Should I just give up on this sand and go buy some sand from the LFS? Could this old sand be full of phosphates? My DT is fully cycled with a good qty of LPS/SPS corals. Thanks

02/09/2013, 08:08 AM	#2
TomTheWicked Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Frednecksburg, VA Posts: 170	I'm sure you'll get a mixed bag of answers for this, but if it were me, I would likely just buy new sand. If you're not in a hurry, you might put the old sand in a bucket and cycle it for a few months to see if you can hold good parameters with it. The smell should go away once the organics have been soaked and rinsed. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is" Current Tank Info: 40B w/20G sump, custom stand

02/09/2013, 08:35 AM	#4
Denbf58 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: selden N.Y. Posts: 885	i would not use that sand unless you clean it very good then let it dry and rinsed again that said it is alot of work to save old sand __________________ Life is good Current Tank Info: 75gal reef ready koralia 3, 30g sump, 4b 48" t5s lighting, 29g reef with breeding pair clowns 55g reef 55g freshwater

02/09/2013, 11:20 AM	#6
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	i agree above. either lose the sand or clean it very well before using again. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

02/09/2013, 01:23 PM	#7
2FunKids Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Middleville Posts: 156	Ok, thanks I think I will rinse some more and see how bad it smells, based on these responses the odds are I am going to dump it. Thanks!

02/09/2013, 08:26 AM	#3
Mr. Bill Native Floridian Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Top of the Bay Posts: 256	If in doubt, throw it out. Sand is not that expensive, so IMO, it's not worth the risk or effort.