Is using leftover live sand safe?

[Karen00]

Hello fellow saltines,

I setup my 5g about 3 months ago using CaribSea live sand. I have about 1/2 a bag left that I have been keeping sealed in my basement where it's cool and dark. I would like to add some more to my tank. My question is... if there has been die off in the sand can this cause an ammonia spike in my tank? I don't need it for it's live properties anymore so would it be safer to rinse it first?

 

[blaxsun]

It should be fine - but if you're overly concerned you can always rinse it off. You may want to rinse it anyway just to remove 99% of the dust and other crap so that this doesn't get blown all over your system when you add it.

 

[Timfish]

If you add a fourth at a time you should be fine.

 

[Karen00]

It should be fine - but if you're overly concerned you can always rinse it off. You may want to rinse it anyway just to remove 99% of the dust and other crap so that this doesn't get blown all over your system when you add it.

Thanks for this. According to the CaribSea bag you don't rinse their live sand. I guess it rinses away the live stuff if you do. I always rinse my sand but it's always been dead stuff for my freshwater tanks. I'm glad I actually read the instructions on the bag. Haha. It was quite clean when I added it so no regrets not rinsing it. Now that my tank is up and running I don't mind rinsing it if it prevents possible ammonia issues. I will only be adding a bit so it might not be an issue regardless.

 

[Karen00]

If you add a fourth at a time you should be fine.

Thanks. I don't have to add that much. Fingers crossed although I'm sure I will probably chicken out and rinse it. Haha.

 

[blaxsun]

At this point, since the bag has already been opened and your tank has already been established, there's not really any downside to rinsing it. In fact, there's every upside to rinse it.

 

[Karen00]

At this point, since the bag has already been opened and your tank has already been established, there's not really any downside to rinsing it. In fact, there's every upside to rinse it.

Thank you! I agree. I thought more of the sand was actually sitting dry in the bag when I finished using it after setting up my tank and that's why I was concerned about die off. When I opened it today I found that most of the sand was still sitting in its liquid so it's possible everything was still alive but I figured it was better to be safe than sorry so I rinsed it. So far so good after adding it.

 

[Uzidaisies]

Does it stink?

 

[Karen00]

Does it stink?

No. I guess that probably means it's fine correct? Interesting you mention this... I saw another thread about live sand and the person found it was growing mold (which is not surprising). That was the first thing I checked for but didn't necessarily think about the smell other than I know it didn't have any (other than a faint "wet sand" smell).

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have more than once and very recently with no effects other than water slightly milky for a couple of days

 

[Uzidaisies]

No. I guess that probably means it's fine correct? Interesting you mention this... I saw another thread about live sand and the person found it was growing mold (which is not surprising). That was the first thing I checked for but didn't necessarily think about the smell other than I know it didn't have any (other than a faint "wet sand" smell).

I wouldn’t say it necessarily means it’s fine. I’m not sure which pathogens would survive in such an environment. But I would say that it’s better than smelling bad. I smell everything, idk. I smell my tanks even. Some believe that if you know what your smelling for, you can even smell some algae outbreaks before you see them. I’d just rinse the sand.

 

[RedReefer]

At this point, since the bag has already been opened and your tank has already been established, there's not really any downside to rinsing it. In fact, there's every upside to rinse it.

Agreed, rinse. Or cloudy water....

 

[Karen00]

I have more than once and very recently with no effects other than water slightly milky for a couple of days

Nice... Good to know. It was a bit of a pain rinsing it so if I don't have to in future (other than if there are obvious signs something is wrong) that would be ideal.