Sand question

[renato120]

Im doing a tank transfer in a couple of days. I have a 60g cube, and Im upgrading to a 120g. 60g is running for 14 months. I bought some new sand for the 120g but not enough.
Can I use the sand of the old tank?
If yes do I need to rinse it, or better to just put in the new tank the way it is now?
Thank you.

 

[Brandon Donaldson]

The sand in your 60 will help the 120 cycle I do believe

 

[trido]

Id do the tank upgrade with the sand you have in the new tank. Then when you get everything situated start rinsing the old sand and add it to the new tank in small amounts daily over the course of a week. Put it into a ziploc, lower it to the bottom, and then slowly pour it out to avoid a large cloud. Then you can rinse it real well when you have the time to do it right. I do not like adding old nasty sand to any tank.

Also, if you don't let your rock sit out or get cold your cycle will be almost non existant. Your tank cycles everyday.

 

[renato120]

Im going to rinse a little before I transfer to the new tank

 

[brandon429]

I would agree with trido above. It's possible to rinse your old sand so harshly that it cannot cloud whatsoever, then it's no liability. This leaves bacteria on the grains though they are no requirement considering the live rock. My own sandbed has always been this way, not ever did it store up waste and be a cycle liability it was either taken apart and blast cleaned or I did several water changes back to back pouring roughly, and that exported it