HELP! Old sand new system question

[aceav8er]

Hi everyone,

I am building a new 120 system after taking down my 240 7yrs ago.

I know it's been too long but the bug finally bit me again and the time is right. Plus the kids want to see it running ASAP.. lol

I have a couple questions because it's about time for me to put my sand and my base rock in next weekend hopefully.

1. Can I reuse my old dry sand that I stored away in a rubbermade tote?

2. If so how do I prepare it? Or do I just put it in my new system after rinsing it with fresh water a little bit?

Thanks in advance!

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Personally, I would just go with new sand. If you decide to use the old sand, I would rinse it real well with RO/DI water to get any debris out. It might have decaying matter in it that may help start the cycling process.

 

[reefndude]

I think your old sand will be fine. After 7 years decaying is done. Rinse and set, should be good to go

 

[mike007]

Personally, I would just go with new sand. If you decide to use the old sand, I would rinse it real well with RO/DI water to get any debris out. It might have decaying matter in it that may help start the cycling process.

+ 1 I totaly agree you should replace. Now is the time since you are starting a new tank. You don't want to have issues with the old sand and have to tear down tank.

 

[aceav8er]

If I went with my old dry sand, Would there be an issue with rinsing it with regular water? I still have to obviously cycle the tank. Would I need to dry it out completely before placing it in tank?

 

[55g]

Split response. Why take the chance on a big investment. No one really know what that sand has been thru over the years especially if you have kids. Maybe to shake things up research on another form/color of substrate (so many to choose from)... New definitely, you will have peace of mind as your tank cycles....

 

[reefndude]

Do you want to spend the money on new sand? Unless old sand has been contamimated, I dont see any issues with old sand. Give it a good rinse, I would use jist tap water. Good to go.

I wouldn't fill the tank with tap water

 

[aceav8er]

I don't want to spend more money, this build is already out of budget. I had my sand in a Rubbermaid in a storage container so no one not even kids had access to it, so I know it's not contaminated.

How does sand go bad? Can anyone please educate me on that?

 

[reefndude]

Rinse and go with it. Sand doesnt go bad, everyone is afraid of stuff that could potentially be in the sand. After 7 years anything that could decompose has done so

 

[55g]

My kids get into everything. If you know it's been secure and there were no other issues (like, why did you tear down your system) including adding copper etc.., do as above, rinse and move on. For me, changing tanks/rebuilding is an opportunity to shake it up. Don't let your kids sweat you time wise. They are not going anywhere. I'm going to do a new build and looking at all the options, sand/crushed coral included. Budget is sweating me also, so I'm taking it very slow and researching all my options as I go along. Use it...

 

[aceav8er]

I am looking for opinions and help because I am not an expert and I will go with what the general consensus is, even if it means spending more money or more time on it.
So I hope I don't come off as asking for advise and not taking it from all you wonderful people here at R2R. I do really appreciate the time you all have taken to answer my silly questions.

I will take a look at some sand pricing and weigh the options, if I can't swing it I may just rinse and reuse. I'm very confident the sand is not contaminated and no copper or other reasons besides moving and going through a divorce forced me to take it down.