Re-using sand

CoreyK · 08/23/2008, 10:24 AM

I recently had to move apartments and the way I move my tanks is to place all the inhabitants in equal tanks at my parent's house, then move everything back into the apartment tanks once they're re-set up.

I know the general consensus is to get new sand (aragonite in my case), but my 20g was only set up for about 8 months so it's not *that* nasty.

Should I stir it up and re-use it, or get all new sand?
Thanks!

stagefright13 · 08/23/2008, 10:27 AM

Alot of people just rinse it and reuse it. If you want to keep it semi alive rinse it with salt water.

tangers · 08/23/2008, 10:30 AM

I'd reuse it. Just make sure you check for a cycle because I'm sure you have some die off which will cause a spike.

FoothillCorals · 08/23/2008, 10:38 AM

That is a can of worms. You may be just fine but it is potential trouble. It is not so much a cycle to look out for but what is trapped in the sand. You may release bound up phosphates or possibly sulfates if there were any dead areas in the sandbed. You could certainly minimize these by rinsing with saltwater. But you will always be safer replacing it with new sand IME.

stagefright13 · 08/23/2008, 11:34 AM

For the record I am replacing mine with new aragonite. I got 40 pounds cheap enough. And I believe it releases Calcium and other trace elements into the water over time.

Sand is pretty cheap. One of the cheapest items in this hobby.

I replaced 12+ pounds at once in my 29 a few days ago and no cycle whatsoever. But I also have 47 pounds of live rock. And I only replaced a small section. I like to go slow with anything related to reefs... Maybe like another month before I replace more. I'm not in a hurry.

doubleduece · 08/23/2008, 11:35 AM

Reuse and recycle and when I say recycle I mean cycle....

You can cycle the sand just like you would rocks. Put a pump at the bottom of a vessel i.e. 55 gallon BRUTE can, then run a tube off the discharge of the pump so that it is higher then the level of sand, and treat it as if you were cycling rocks. We do it all the time to create live sand, and have never had any problems....YET

Just my two cents

08/23/2008, 10:24 AM	#1
CoreyK Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: East Lansing, MI Posts: 136	Re-using sand I recently had to move apartments and the way I move my tanks is to place all the inhabitants in equal tanks at my parent's house, then move everything back into the apartment tanks once they're re-set up. I know the general consensus is to get new sand (aragonite in my case), but my 20g was only set up for about 8 months so it's not that nasty. Should I stir it up and re-use it, or get all new sand? Thanks!

08/23/2008, 10:30 AM	#3
tangers Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 1,411	I'd reuse it. Just make sure you check for a cycle because I'm sure you have some die off which will cause a spike. __________________ "Rather than love, than money, than faith, than fame, than fairness... give me truth." Henry David Thoreau Click on red house for build thread. Current Tank Info: 135 gallon corner. 3x kessil a360we's, gyre xf150, custom "L" shaped sump, all on apex

08/23/2008, 11:34 AM	#5
stagefright13 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hatboro, PA USA Posts: 899	For the record I am replacing mine with new aragonite. I got 40 pounds cheap enough. And I believe it releases Calcium and other trace elements into the water over time. Sand is pretty cheap. One of the cheapest items in this hobby. I replaced 12+ pounds at once in my 29 a few days ago and no cycle whatsoever. But I also have 47 pounds of live rock. And I only replaced a small section. I like to go slow with anything related to reefs... Maybe like another month before I replace more. I'm not in a hurry. Last edited by stagefright13; 08/23/2008 at 11:45 AM.

08/23/2008, 10:27 AM	#2
stagefright13 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hatboro, PA USA Posts: 899	Alot of people just rinse it and reuse it. If you want to keep it semi alive rinse it with salt water.

08/23/2008, 10:38 AM	#4
FoothillCorals Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 522	That is a can of worms. You may be just fine but it is potential trouble. It is not so much a cycle to look out for but what is trapped in the sand. You may release bound up phosphates or possibly sulfates if there were any dead areas in the sandbed. You could certainly minimize these by rinsing with saltwater. But you will always be safer replacing it with new sand IME.

08/23/2008, 11:35 AM	#6
doubleduece Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: virginia beach, VA Posts: 214	Reuse and recycle and when I say recycle I mean cycle.... You can cycle the sand just like you would rocks. Put a pump at the bottom of a vessel i.e. 55 gallon BRUTE can, then run a tube off the discharge of the pump so that it is higher then the level of sand, and treat it as if you were cycling rocks. We do it all the time to create live sand, and have never had any problems....YET Just my two cents