Disturbing a Sand bed hydrogen sulfide risk

[Caliguy1983]

I have a question for @Randy Holmes-Farley , I've recently set up a new 120 gallon reef with a new batch of live sand. The rest of the tank inhabitants were transferred from my previous tank. A week after my tank was set up my stand cracked. Fortunately, it was a cosmetic crack. Unfortunately, I have to wait 4 weeks for a new stand to be built and shipped. I'm going to have to remove the sand and water in order to switch out stands. Do I run the risk of hurting my tank inhabitants by releasing hydrogen sulfide since the sand will be disturbed? Or will 4 week old sand be ok displace and go back into the system. I can buy new sand if needed but I'd rather not. Thanks!!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'd rinse the sand, and if possible, and not store it long in a big bucket.

When I've taken tanks and refugia down, I did not have any H2S issues from the sand (if it stinks like rotten eggs or is black, that's a big warning sign). However, the sand stored in a bucket can go bad overnight.

 

[Caliguy1983]

I'd rinse the sand, and if possible, and not store it long in a big bucket.

When I've taken tanks and refugia down, I did not have any H2S issues from the sand (if it stinks like rotten eggs or is black, that's a big warning sign). However, the sand stored in a bucket can go bad overnight.

Thanks it will go out then back in quickly there will not be any overnight storage. I'll try and do the entire rebuild as quickly as possible.