Reusing sand

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

What is the best way to clean sand for reuse? I'm rebooting a 120 and would like to clean my sand for when I start the tank over.

 

[Small triggers]

Rinse with rodi till it runs clear....

 

[mike007]

I would replace with new sand. Since you will have tank down it would be a good time to replace. Old sand will eventually cause you some problems down the road.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I would replace with new sand. Since you will have tank down it would be a good time to replace. Old sand will eventually cause you some problems down the road.

Thanks, but I would really like to use this sand...it's a lot to throw away if it can be cleaned and reused. I've probably got close to 300 lb. It's a dsb in a 120.

 

[Dog Boy Dave]

If you are going to rinse it use salt water so you dont kill every thing. I wouldnt recomend you reuse it in your main tank. Remote DSB are much easier to manage. Expect a nitrate surge and 3 or four months of algae if you reuse the sand. If you set up new tank with loads that you can manage you can clean it up long term but you will have a nutrient surge when you reuse the sand.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I have successfully done this a number of times. Note that the sand will be “dead” after you are done….but also note that I question “live-sand” that has been sitting on the shelf for X-number of months/years in some LFS..


Using a five gallon bucket, I fill it about half way with dirty sand. With a hose running (regular tap water), I push it up and down through the sand, letting it overflow with water. I dump as much water out and repeat this 10 to 15 times until the water is running clear. I now spread the this sand out and let it dry. I have very large stainless steel trays for doing this. I repeat the process with all the dirty sand.

When reusing this sand, I allow it to cycle with the new tank I’m setting up.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I have successfully done this a number of times. Note that the sand will be “dead†after you are done….but also note that I question “live-sand†that has been sitting on the shelf for X-number of months/years in some LFS..


Using a five gallon bucket, I fill it about half way with dirty sand. With a hose running (regular tap water), I push it up and down through the sand, letting it overflow with water. I dump as much water out and repeat this 10 to 15 times until the water is running clear. I now spread the this sand out and let it dry. I have very large stainless steel trays for doing this. I repeat the process with all the dirty sand.

When reusing this sand, I allow it to cycle with the new tank I’m setting up.

This is very helpful info. Thanks! I'll try to use this procedure.

 

[Small triggers]

I have successfully done this a number of times. Note that the sand will be “dead” after you are done….but also note that I question “live-sand” that has been sitting on the shelf for X-number of months/years in some LFS..


Using a five gallon bucket, I fill it about half way with dirty sand. With a hose running (regular tap water), I push it up and down through the sand, letting it overflow with water. I dump as much water out and repeat this 10 to 15 times until the water is running clear. I now spread the this sand out and let it dry. I have very large stainless steel trays for doing this. I repeat the process with all the dirty sand.

When reusing this sand, I allow it to cycle with the new tank I’m setting up.

This is exactly what I have done...I reused someone else's sand for my tank...never had any problems, and actually just rinsed it and reused it again in my 150g...