Is my live sand dead?

mmw64 · Dec 6, 2017

My hubster took my live sand out to the garage without my knowledge. It was there for over a week and the temps have been in the 30s at night. Can I still use it a few cups at a time to replace lost sand due to water changes?

Jason mack · Dec 6, 2017

Was the sand still wet or had it dried out .. if it was as still wet the chances are it still has some bacteria in it .. if it had chance too dry out then not .. either way you could just wash it with old tank water or rodi water till there’s no sediment coming out or th water stays clean and then add it a little at a time .. if you take a plastic bottle with the top on cut the bottom off it( wash it obviously) then fill it with your sand .. when you put it in your tank till it fills with water then near the bottom of the tank in the place you want too place it remove lid ( have it loosely on before filling with sand) the sand will flow out and you can direct it where you want .. remember add small amounts slowly too your tank .. good luck !

mmw64 · Dec 7, 2017

Jason mack said:
Was the sand still wet or had it dried out .. if it was as still wet the chances are it still has some bacteria in it .. if it had chance too dry out then not .. either way you could just wash it with old tank water or rodi water till there’s no sediment coming out or th water stays clean and then add it a little at a time .. if you take a plastic bottle with the top on cut the bottom off it( wash it obviously) then fill it with your sand .. when you put it in your tank till it fills with water then near the bottom of the tank in the place you want too place it remove lid ( have it loosely on before filling with sand) the sand will flow out and you can direct it where you want .. remember add small amounts slowly too your tank .. good luck !

Thanks. No, still wet in bag. Will follow your advice.

brandon429 · Dec 7, 2017

agreed. and per our sand rinse thread, even if the bacteria did die it means nothing, sand isn't our breakpoint for anything in the tank. if you make sure the sand is rinsed perfectly clean where no rotten material pent up inside it gets put back in, no harm no foul done.

temp issues wont kill the bac, nor a follow up rinse. if they were wet they have the bac still

The very very few worms and pods are incidental for our systems. we routinely fix large scale tank invasions simply by washing, replacing, or removing a tanks sandbed.