Destroying bleach in sand

[cope413]

I have about 30lbs of sand I've vacuumed out of my tank over the past few years. I want to reuse it, so I bleached it for a few days, then thoroughly rinsed it and let it sit with a powerhead and airstone for about a week.

I drained it and still had a faint smell of bleach, so I dumped a bottle of h202 in it (32oz), and that sit for a few days.

There's no hint of any smell at this point, but can I be confident the bleach has been destroyed?

It's been 2+ weeks, and it sat in the peroxide for 8 days.

Thanks in advance

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I have about 30lbs of sand I've vacuumed out of my tank over the past few years. I want to reuse it, so I bleached it for a few days, then thoroughly rinsed it and let it sit with a powerhead and airstone for about a week.

I drained it and still had a faint smell of bleach, so I dumped a bottle of h202 in it (32oz), and that sit for a few days.

There's no hint of any smell at this point, but can I be confident the bleach has been destroyed?

It's been 2+ weeks, and it sat in the peroxide for 8 days.

Thanks in advance

Dechlorinator is the thing to use to destroy residual bleach.

 

[cope413]

I've had Prime screw with my pH in the past when recharging purigen. I figured 30 lbs of sand would have a much larger effect than 12 oz of purigen.

Not something to worry about?

 

[mcarroll]

Personally, I wouldn't deal with the bother or the risk since replacement sand is so cheap.

Too late to recycle it and go buy a fresh bag?

 

[cope413]

Nope, not too late. Not really about the expense. I just like the idea of reusing it.

If it's risky, then I'll find some other use for the sand. I can use it to add to some soil in the spring.

 

[Salty1962]

Dechlorinator is the thing to use to destroy residual bleach.

+1, I use Seachem's Prime.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yo

I've had Prime screw with my pH in the past when recharging purigen. I figured 30 lbs of sand would have a much larger effect than 12 oz of purigen.

Not something to worry about?

You mean from residual chemicals left on the sand? Just rinse and it will be OK.

 

[cope413]

Thanks Randy. I got mixed up and thought that Prime just temporarily bound chlorine. Turns out that is ammonia.

I'll use Prime and rinse.

Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks Randy. I got mixed up and thought that Prime just temporarily bound chlorine. Turns out that is ammonia.

I'll use Prime and rinse.

Thanks

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.