Old sand, opinions?

new2u · 03/25/2006, 11:12 PM

Hey guys, i've just picked up my new 120 and almost have it moved into position, but have about 100lbs of sand currently in the tank. It was circulating at his place, and we drained it down with just a little water covering the sand. Then, after the 5 hours plus it sat like that, i put some more water in to get a little deeper covering, but I won't be finished plumbing and mixing water till tuesday or wednsday, latest saturday. Do you think that this can still be used? I'd also like to add a little more to cover some of the closed loop plumbing, could i add this on top?

Airman · 03/25/2006, 11:44 PM

Your sand should be okay. Just give it a good rinse before you put it in your tank. Your new tank will go through several cycles before it stabilizes. If this sand work well in your old tank than it will work well in your new tank.

What can of sand do you have? Silicate or calcium based? The reason I ask is because I have silicate base sand in my tank and calcium base in my refugium. The silicate sand in the tank is older and it is out performing the refugium sand. I plan to give the sand in the refugium about six more months and if it does not improve than I will change it out.

new2u · 03/25/2006, 11:56 PM

well, it never actually moved, and its already in the tank, so do you think rinsing is nessisary? I'm thinking its calcium based, i'm going to add some larger grains with the new addition sand.

new2u · 03/26/2006, 10:49 AM

Well, today its got a pretty intense ocean smell, and i can't find my ammonia test kit to see if its got any going on, but i can see some hermits and a snail or two moving around in the 2" of water, do you think i could add new sand right on top?

Shoestring Reefer · 03/26/2006, 12:10 PM

I'd use it. You can add sand on top.

Newreeflady · 03/26/2006, 12:38 PM

I've heard not to add sand right on top, which makes sense because the creatures on the top of your current sandbed obviously use oxygen. I would had no more than an inch, and kinda try to "work it in."

jmo,
-A

03/25/2006, 11:12 PM	#1
new2u Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Atlanta / DFW Posts: 861	Old sand, opinions? Hey guys, i've just picked up my new 120 and almost have it moved into position, but have about 100lbs of sand currently in the tank. It was circulating at his place, and we drained it down with just a little water covering the sand. Then, after the 5 hours plus it sat like that, i put some more water in to get a little deeper covering, but I won't be finished plumbing and mixing water till tuesday or wednsday, latest saturday. Do you think that this can still be used? I'd also like to add a little more to cover some of the closed loop plumbing, could i add this on top? __________________ Whats the use of Aqua man anyways. There isn't really that much water based crime... Current Tank Info: Reefer 850 XXL - LPS/Zoa Dominant mixed reef

03/25/2006, 11:44 PM	#2
Airman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 643	Your sand should be okay. Just give it a good rinse before you put it in your tank. Your new tank will go through several cycles before it stabilizes. If this sand work well in your old tank than it will work well in your new tank. What can of sand do you have? Silicate or calcium based? The reason I ask is because I have silicate base sand in my tank and calcium base in my refugium. The silicate sand in the tank is older and it is out performing the refugium sand. I plan to give the sand in the refugium about six more months and if it does not improve than I will change it out. __________________ What is man, that thou art mindful of him?...:) Current Tank Info: 55 Gal, DSB, protein skimmer, UV light, Sump/Refugium

03/25/2006, 11:56 PM	#3
new2u Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Atlanta / DFW Posts: 861	well, it never actually moved, and its already in the tank, so do you think rinsing is nessisary? I'm thinking its calcium based, i'm going to add some larger grains with the new addition sand. __________________ Whats the use of Aqua man anyways. There isn't really that much water based crime... Current Tank Info: Reefer 850 XXL - LPS/Zoa Dominant mixed reef

03/26/2006, 10:49 AM	#4
new2u Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Atlanta / DFW Posts: 861	Well, today its got a pretty intense ocean smell, and i can't find my ammonia test kit to see if its got any going on, but i can see some hermits and a snail or two moving around in the 2" of water, do you think i could add new sand right on top? __________________ Whats the use of Aqua man anyways. There isn't really that much water based crime... Current Tank Info: Reefer 850 XXL - LPS/Zoa Dominant mixed reef

03/26/2006, 12:10 PM	#5
Shoestring Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Westerly, RI Posts: 4,989	I'd use it. You can add sand on top. __________________ Mike Reefcentral Folding@Home team 37251 - Click my little red house to learn more and help medical science! Current Tank Info: 2, 20-gal low tech tanks

03/26/2006, 12:38 PM	#6
Newreeflady Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 4,840	I've heard not to add sand right on top, which makes sense because the creatures on the top of your current sandbed obviously use oxygen. I would had no more than an inch, and kinda try to "work it in." jmo, -A __________________ A university professor went to visit a famous Zen master. While the master quietly served tea, the professor talked about Zen. The master poured the visitor’s cup to the brim, and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself. “It’s overfull! No more will go in!” the professor blurted. “You are like this cup,” the master replied, “How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup.” Current Tank Info: 56g, 20g.