RDSB & Remote LR Container

[qterry22]

I am not sure how to structure this thread. I will first list my idea....then my concerns.

I want to implement a remote sand bed in a 5g bucket and another 5g bucket full of LR plumbed together and fed by a maxijet 1200. The pump would feed from the sump and the return would be plumbed to return back to the sump. This is to prevent any overflowing issues in the event of a power failure. This will provide extra filtration for my system and also provide me with away to culture live rock for QT tanks, selling frags, etc.

My concerns.

1. I want to have the DSB come before the LR bucket. Any reasons why this wouldn't be a good order?
2. The sand I am going to use is from my tank before I moved. Instead of ditching the sand bed I stored it in a bucket. This has been in a bucket for roughly a little over a week with some old tank water and no circulation. I figured there would already be bacteria and things going on to help speed up the DSB. My concern is connecting this to my system and polluting it?
3. The live rock has also been sitting in a bucket of old tank water with no circulation. Will it still be active live rock or will there be die off and more possible polution?
4. Both have been sitting at room temperature with no circulation in old tank water. Tomorrow all the supplies needed to complete this setup will arrive. Should I let this system run independently for a month before implementing it into my main system? If so I could add a third bucket of fresh saltwater for the pump and return. This will add circulation to the system without connecting it to my main system. I could even add a heater if necessary.

I hope I did a decent job of explaining whats going on in my head at 3am lol. Any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Q

 

[qterry22]

bump

 

[cdness]

The old sand and water if not circulating will be toxic and full of death... Personally sand is cheap, i would never risk my system over re-used sand... Also the live rock will more than likely be dead too as no new oxygen has been added...

How long was the sand used in the old system before you moved?

I would clean them all out, acid bathe the rocks and cycle separate for awhile. Then add it to the main system once parameters are in check.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Definitely cycle them separately before using. Test, test, and test again before connecting to your main system.

 

[qterry22]

Aight cool. The sand has been in use roughly 2 years before the move. I agree sand is cheap however I have been kinda reckless with my reefing budget and I am now trying to be as efficient as possible with what I already have. For example I have a box of plumbing parts that I cant return because I don't remember what came from where and I have equipment that I dont even use from before the move when I was planning on setting up a breeding system for clowns. So all this is going into being re-purposed for as much DIY projects as I can think of and selling the rest.

Back to the topic I am def. gonna cycle the system separate now after listening to the advice. I didn't even think about the oxygen issue for the LR I will wait untill the cycle completes and test results stabilize before tying it into my main system. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[qterry22]

Do you think temp is important when cycling a system. I plan to leave this system cycle on my back pattio. The buckets will be covered but I was wondering if not running a heater in it will make a difference?

Thanks

Q