Transfering sand to another tank

Reef_Aquarium72 · Jan 31, 2017

Hi everyone,

So recently i switched over from a 72g tank to a 75g tank and went BB(bare bottom). The sand i removed from the display i would like to put it in my 40g refugium but ive been nervous to add it due to the fact that i didnt know if it would affect the parameters in the tank. So because of this the sand has been in 5g bucket for about a week now. If i add it would it affect the tank? Is there anyway to clean it and make it safe? I just dont want to thow away about 80 pounds of sand thats been in my display for over a year.

Also, ive seen other tanks that are bb and see the corals encrusting on the glass bottom. Ive tried to glue the frags to the glass but the bsi ic gel doesnt seem to stick to glass surface. Any glue in particular that needs to be used?

Heres a picture of my display

CodyRVA · Jan 31, 2017

At this point, most of what was beneficial in the sand is likely dead or dying. You can save it, but you'll have to rinse it thoroughly or risk a nutrient spike. It's probably holding all the detritus from your previous tank and considering it's been sitting; I would rinse it with RODI several times.

Js.Aqua.Project · Jan 31, 2017

CodyRVA said:
At this point, most of what was beneficial in the sand is likely dead or dying. You can save it, but you'll have to rinse it thoroughly or risk a nutrient spike. It's probably holding all the detritus from your previous tank and considering it's been sitting; I would rinse it with RODI several times.

Ditto, if you're just wanting to use the sand to save some money, rinse it like crazy with RODI before putting it in the new tank. All of the dissolved organics hiding in the sand can nuke your tank through a big sulfur, ammonia, and nitrate release so it just isn't worth it.

Scrambler87 · Jan 31, 2017

Honestly, I would advise against reusing the sand. There is alot of built up toxins in that sand bed. Disturbing it in general is a bad idea. It releases gas pockets,high nutrients,ammonia,phosphates and many other toxins back into the water...

Now if your dead set on reusing it...From personal expierences I would take small batches in a strainer (unless its the oolite sand) and rinse it with a pump forcing RO/DI water through it then put it in a clean bucket. Once that is done and all your sand is rinsed I would put it into a tank and start off by adding a bacteria supplement into it to help jump start it to handle any of the old organics or toxins that may still be present. Let it sit with your rock for about 6 weeks then slowly add livestock.

CodyRVA · Jan 31, 2017

There's no reason to not re use the sand if you rinse/clean aggressively, as suggested. Theres no need to wait 6 weeks if you're using your pre-established live rock either. If you were using dry/dead rock then sure, but thats an entirely different convo which would require a full cycle regardless if you had new or established sand. +1 on adding a bacteria supplement.

Js.Aqua.Project · Jan 31, 2017

I personally advise not to reuse sand, but I know some people want/need save the money and if you're willing to put in the work there is nothing wrong with it.

I strongly recommend rinsing with RODI (but I know plenty of people who have just used tap water and Prime after) until there is no debris or odors left in the water.

Reef_Aquarium72 · Feb 1, 2017

Thanks guys. I don't think iam going to risk losing thousands of dollars worth of corals, fish, and etc. over $60 in live sand. I'll just keep my 1" deep sand in my refuge for now lol Thanks again everyone