Sand Hardened, How to Remove

[tuggerlake26]

Looking for some opinions.

My sand recently hardened because if an imbalance with dosing. It's almost completely solid except the back corner.

I am moving in four months and need to take the tank down and reset it back up.

I know I need to replace my sand. If I don't do it now, and wait until I move, will it impact my tank? I'd obviously have less surface area for bacteria, and assuming potentially have waste solidified within the rock. Would my nitrates potentially spike from this?

Also, if I use vinegar or citric acid to soften the sand, how well do I need to rinse afterwards? Is one less toxic?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Also, if I use vinegar or citric acid to soften the sand, how well do I need to rinse afterwards? Is one less toxic?

Neither is toxic,. Just rinse them away, but unless this is silica sand, I'm not sure it will work.

 

[Snoopy 67]

Better off with new sand - a lot less work especially if it's hard.

 

[shakacuz]

I know I need to replace my sand. If I don't do it now, and wait until I move, will it impact my tank? I'd obviously have less surface area for bacteria, and assuming potentially have waste solidified within the rock. Would my nitrates potentially spike from this?

could always compensate for less sand with some bio blocks/plates in the sump?

 

[MnFish1]

Looking for some opinions.

My sand recently hardened because if an imbalance with dosing. It's almost completely solid except the back corner.

I am moving in four months and need to take the tank down and reset it back up.

I know I need to replace my sand. If I don't do it now, and wait until I move, will it impact my tank? I'd obviously have less surface area for bacteria, and assuming potentially have waste solidified within the rock. Would my nitrates potentially spike from this?

Also, if I use vinegar or citric acid to soften the sand, how well do I need to rinse afterwards? Is one less toxic?

I do not think you need to do it now. And - it will likely (once drained - when you go to move it - crack out - break off. I would not 'keep' it. But - are you sure its 'completely solid'- as compared to just a hard coating - like an eggshell on top of the old sand. Either way - Its my opinion that sand is not a big factor in cycling - its the rock thats more important. When you move - and change sand - you can get live sand if you're worried - or add bacteria in a bottle. The biggest factor in moving a tank - IMHO - is the length of time.

 

[tuggerlake26]

I do not think you need to do it now. And - it will likely (once drained - when you go to move it - crack out - break off. I would not 'keep' it. But - are you sure its 'completely solid'- as compared to just a hard coating - like an eggshell on top of the old sand. Either way - Its my opinion that sand is not a big factor in cycling - its the rock thats more important. When you move - and change sand - you can get live sand if you're worried - or add bacteria in a bottle. The biggest factor in moving a tank - IMHO - is the length of time.

Yeah, when I dig into the soft section of the sand, I can feel the rest of the sand is solid through to the glass bottom.

My sand is Carib Sea arag alive sand.

 

[MnFish1]

Yeah, when I dig into the soft section of the sand, I can feel the rest of the sand is solid through to the glass bottom.

My sand is Carib Sea arag alive sand.

Ahhh. Then I would do as suggested above if it was me

 

[Super Fly]

Agree w others, I would wait till the move and just throw out the old sand and use new when setting up the tank in new house.