Trying to get tank up and running again

Griff1324 · 01/31/2007, 08:26 PM

I had to take down my take awhile back. Therefore, all my rock and sand is "dead". I already have all the sand and rock I need, but I need to bring it back to life.

What is the quickest way to get this tank up and running again? Should I buy a bag of Cheato to get some critters? Should I buy some live sand from someone on here or from the pet store? Thoughts and suggestions are appreciated!

Thanks,

Chris

zoomfish1 · 01/31/2007, 08:36 PM

Easiest way to re-seed the rock would be from someone elses tank. I would ditch the sand though. I doubt that this process will be "fast" though.

I wouldn't buy Live Sand. After packaging, setting on store shelves, etc....most of that live sand is now dead bacteria.

drummereef · 01/31/2007, 09:16 PM

Just use your rock as base rock, seed it with a couple new live pieces and use new sand. Some will probably say it's cool to rinse and use the old sand, but I would want a new 'clean' sandbed to start out. You can also seed the sandbed with a few cups of sand from a fellow reefer's tank.

Griff1324 · 01/31/2007, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by drummereef
Just use your rock as base rock, seed it with a couple new live pieces and use new sand. Some will probably say it's cool to rinse and use the old sand, but I would want a new 'clean' sandbed to start out. You can also seed the sandbed with a few cups of sand from a fellow reefer's tank.

If I am using the old rock what is wrong with using the old sand?

Thanks,

Chris

swjim · 01/31/2007, 10:15 PM

I'm also in the don't use the old sand camp. It likely has old detritus and possibly residual phosphates left in it. Replacing it would be a relatively inexpensive piece of mind. The rock could hold some of these things as well, but it's more expensive to replace. JMO

Good luck!

fish 511 · 01/31/2007, 11:08 PM

Imo, I would keep the rock and ditch the sand. You can go to your local hardware store and get sand for really cheap...HTH

drummereef · 01/31/2007, 11:22 PM

Like swjim said, I would rather use new clean sand then one laden with dead bacteria etc... Lots of excess crud introduced into the new system.

01/31/2007, 08:26 PM	#1
Griff1324 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 17	Trying to get tank up and running again I had to take down my take awhile back. Therefore, all my rock and sand is "dead". I already have all the sand and rock I need, but I need to bring it back to life. What is the quickest way to get this tank up and running again? Should I buy a bag of Cheato to get some critters? Should I buy some live sand from someone on here or from the pet store? Thoughts and suggestions are appreciated! Thanks, Chris

01/31/2007, 08:36 PM	#2
zoomfish1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Claremore, Oklahoma Posts: 1,659	Easiest way to re-seed the rock would be from someone elses tank. I would ditch the sand though. I doubt that this process will be "fast" though. I wouldn't buy Live Sand. After packaging, setting on store shelves, etc....most of that live sand is now dead bacteria. __________________ Zoomfish Current Tank Info: 75g RR, dsb w/90 lbs sand, 150 lb live rock, anemone & LPS tank

01/31/2007, 09:16 PM	#3
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Just use your rock as base rock, seed it with a couple new live pieces and use new sand. Some will probably say it's cool to rinse and use the old sand, but I would want a new 'clean' sandbed to start out. You can also seed the sandbed with a few cups of sand from a fellow reefer's tank. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

01/31/2007, 11:22 PM	#7
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Like swjim said, I would rather use new clean sand then one laden with dead bacteria etc... Lots of excess crud introduced into the new system. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

01/31/2007, 10:15 PM	#5
swjim Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boerne, TX Posts: 884	I'm also in the don't use the old sand camp. It likely has old detritus and possibly residual phosphates left in it. Replacing it would be a relatively inexpensive piece of mind. The rock could hold some of these things as well, but it's more expensive to replace. JMO Good luck!

01/31/2007, 11:08 PM	#6
fish 511 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Huntington Beach, California Posts: 679	Imo, I would keep the rock and ditch the sand. You can go to your local hardware store and get sand for really cheap...HTH