live sand

[Bobby daniels]

Got a question for you guys. I've got a bag of "live" sand that was left over from a previous build that i never opened. It had set in my garage where temps have been anywhere from 35° to upwards of 100°. I'm now setting up a second tank and was wondering if the bag would still be considered "live" or would the good bacteria would all be dead?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Got a question for you guys. I've got a bag of "live" sand that was left over from a previous build that i never opened. It had set in my garage where temps have been anywhere from 35° to upwards of 100°. I'm now setting up a second tank and was wondering if the bag would still be considered "live" or would the good bacteria would all be dead?

It may have little in the way of bacteria in it.

In all do respect to you, live sand is kind of a gimmick. It can have some bacteria in it as it is most of the time damp from the seller, but it's still sand.

I've always used dry aragonite sand for my sand beds. Rinsed thoroughly before use to remove the fines that are in it. Reduces the cloudiness once wet in the tank and minimizes dust storms in the tank.

Sand will be seeded with bacteria one way or another anyway.

Your sand that has been exposed to very low and high temps still can be used. Just rinse it with tap water and drain it thoroughly.

 

[Bobby daniels]

It may have little in the way of bacteria in it.

In all do respect to you, live sand is kind of a gimmick. It can have some bacteria in it as it is most of the time damp from the seller, but it's still sand.

I've always used dry aragonite sand for my sand beds. Rinsed thoroughly before use to remove the fines that are in it. Reduces the cloudiness once wet in the tank and minimizes dust storms in the tank.

Sand will be seeded with bacteria one way or another anyway.

Your sand that has been exposed to very low and high temps still can be used. Just rinse it with tap water and drain it thoroughly.

Any reason not to use RODI water instead of tap?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Any reason not to use RODI water instead of tap?

Sorry should have said this.
Rinse with tap as it will take a great deal of water to get it clean of dust and fines. I usually use a large fish net to rinse untill clear water runs out. Let it drain and shake. Dump into a bucket. Repeat.

Then add some RO/DI water to the sand with some Prime or amquel.

Drain that off and add the sand.

Large quantities of sand, use a bucket with some panty hose stretched over the bucket to strain the sand. Yes, panty hose works well. Same as above.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Double post