How to clean dead rock and sand

msl5078 · 12/08/2011, 09:45 AM

Hi everyone,

I wanted to ask a few questions on how to clean dead rock and sand. I have been lucky enough to pick up enough rock and sand for my 90 gallon build but I would like to make sure everything is cleaned properly and looks good before I put it in my 90 gallon mixed reef tank to start my cycle. I have a few months until I can start so if I have to soak anything that should'nt be a problem.

As far as the rock goes it is in decent shape, with a few dead algae spots on it that I would like to get rid of.

As far as the sand goes I am not sure what to do with cleaning it. I can soak it and rinse it but it has been sitting for about a year now and has an awful smell to it.

Any ideas would be great!

thanks,
mike

Pallobi · 12/08/2011, 09:52 AM

Repeated vigorous rinsing, numerous times, can clean used sand pretty well, and needs to be allowed to.completely air dry... And then, i would rinse it one more time for good measure...

ctreefer · 12/08/2011, 10:15 AM

If it's been a year i'd say it isn't worth it (for the sand). There will be dead areas where the sand has gone black and can't be changed back. The amount of work involved in cleaning sand cannot be understated. If it was summer time and you wanted to kill 6 hours bending over buckets rinsing, stirring, rinsing, stirring etc 2-3 pounds at a time then drying out and the sand was fairly new I'd say go for it but not with what you have described.

ctreefer · 12/08/2011, 10:19 AM

Oh, and for dead rock there are lots of threads on RC surrounding how to clean it.

Me personally I would throw them in buckets of water and bleach and let sit for a day or so to make sure all the organics have been oxidized then rinse them off well and let sit in RO water about a week (maybe even changing out the water halfway through). Then let dry out for at least a week more.
Some people are also making acid baths to remove the top layer of calcium chloride that might be trapping phosphates. Haven't tried this yet but makes some sense.

Always lots of research to do.

Good luck!

msl5078 · 12/08/2011, 10:55 AM

Is it possible to bleach the sand using a 1:10 (bleach/water) ratio to kill off all the bacteria thats making it smell? I don't think the sand became black at all, but I did'nt have a chance to look at it very close. Then rinsing it over and over again?

eddiesylas · 12/08/2011, 11:20 AM

Good points on the sand. Your call.

As for the rock, I would NOT bleach it or boil it or...

Look up "Cooking Live Rock". It involves keeping LR in the complete dark with good flow. The bacteria does all the work. From ridding the rock of problem algae and pests to organics breakdown and phosphate removal this is the recommended solution. Of course it takes time the poorer condition you rock is in the longer it takes. There are many threads discussing it so I am not going into it here. Whether you are starting with Dry Rock, Old Rock, Live Rock in good shape it is a great method to prep it for starting your aquarium.

FYI: I was able to do 75 lbs. in a 20 long tank.

In general "quick fixes" are for those who are impatient (and if it is a quick fix... most will say that is a good indicator that it is not a good reefing practice).

It is GOOD that you have a few months. Keep that mentality in every decision you make from here forward and you will be far ahead in the reefing learning curve.

downset21 · 12/29/2011, 03:12 PM

What will happen if you put dead live sand in the tank without rinsing it? I don't plan on having anything alive in this tank for months except rock and sand.

gmate · 12/29/2011, 03:30 PM

Downset21, lots of phosphate, dead and decomposed organics, things you wouldn't want in your tank. Usually it's not even worth the hassle of using this older dead sand.

12/08/2011, 09:45 AM	#1
msl5078 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 411	How to clean dead rock and sand Hi everyone, I wanted to ask a few questions on how to clean dead rock and sand. I have been lucky enough to pick up enough rock and sand for my 90 gallon build but I would like to make sure everything is cleaned properly and looks good before I put it in my 90 gallon mixed reef tank to start my cycle. I have a few months until I can start so if I have to soak anything that should'nt be a problem. As far as the rock goes it is in decent shape, with a few dead algae spots on it that I would like to get rid of. As far as the sand goes I am not sure what to do with cleaning it. I can soak it and rinse it but it has been sitting for about a year now and has an awful smell to it. Any ideas would be great! thanks, mike

12/08/2011, 09:52 AM	#2
Pallobi CTARS, BRS & OSRAS Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 7,001	Repeated vigorous rinsing, numerous times, can clean used sand pretty well, and needs to be allowed to.completely air dry... And then, i would rinse it one more time for good measure... __________________ Zoas & Palys

12/08/2011, 11:20 AM	#6
eddiesylas Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 982	Good points on the sand. Your call. As for the rock, I would NOT bleach it or boil it or... Look up "Cooking Live Rock". It involves keeping LR in the complete dark with good flow. The bacteria does all the work. From ridding the rock of problem algae and pests to organics breakdown and phosphate removal this is the recommended solution. Of course it takes time the poorer condition you rock is in the longer it takes. There are many threads discussing it so I am not going into it here. Whether you are starting with Dry Rock, Old Rock, Live Rock in good shape it is a great method to prep it for starting your aquarium. FYI: I was able to do 75 lbs. in a 20 long tank. In general "quick fixes" are for those who are impatient (and if it is a quick fix... most will say that is a good indicator that it is not a good reefing practice). It is GOOD that you have a few months. Keep that mentality in every decision you make from here forward and you will be far ahead in the reefing learning curve. __________________ Aaron Current Tank Info: 10G Pico Seagrass/macro.

12/29/2011, 03:30 PM	#8
gmate MASC Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 2,267	Downset21, lots of phosphate, dead and decomposed organics, things you wouldn't want in your tank. Usually it's not even worth the hassle of using this older dead sand. __________________ https://www.marinecolorado.org/ 180, 90 and 50 gallon reef ready systems. Fragging & trading since 2010. Current Tank Info: 180g, 90g & 50g frag tank

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12/08/2011, 10:15 AM	#3
ctreefer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: southern CT Posts: 3,274	If it's been a year i'd say it isn't worth it (for the sand). There will be dead areas where the sand has gone black and can't be changed back. The amount of work involved in cleaning sand cannot be understated. If it was summer time and you wanted to kill 6 hours bending over buckets rinsing, stirring, rinsing, stirring etc 2-3 pounds at a time then drying out and the sand was fairly new I'd say go for it but not with what you have described.

12/08/2011, 10:19 AM	#4
ctreefer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: southern CT Posts: 3,274	Oh, and for dead rock there are lots of threads on RC surrounding how to clean it. Me personally I would throw them in buckets of water and bleach and let sit for a day or so to make sure all the organics have been oxidized then rinse them off well and let sit in RO water about a week (maybe even changing out the water halfway through). Then let dry out for at least a week more. Some people are also making acid baths to remove the top layer of calcium chloride that might be trapping phosphates. Haven't tried this yet but makes some sense. Always lots of research to do. Good luck!

12/08/2011, 10:55 AM	#5
msl5078 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 411	Is it possible to bleach the sand using a 1:10 (bleach/water) ratio to kill off all the bacteria thats making it smell? I don't think the sand became black at all, but I did'nt have a chance to look at it very close. Then rinsing it over and over again?

12/29/2011, 03:12 PM	#7
downset21 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 192	What will happen if you put dead live sand in the tank without rinsing it? I don't plan on having anything alive in this tank for months except rock and sand.