Live Sand question

[jason604]

hi is it a bad idea to buy lets say 100lbs of used live sand, clean it and mix it with about 20 lbs or new live sand from the LFS? if so whats the best way to clean it? or should i just buy all new from lfs?

[daplatapus]

I've only ever done it once, but I managed to kill everything in the tank from the ammonia spike. Personally, I'll never re-use live sand again. Unless it's just a cup or two to seed a much larger volume of new sand.
But, many have washed live sand and haven't had issues, so maybe it was the way I did it or I didn't clean it enough.

[jason604]

I've only ever done it once, but I managed to kill everything in the tank from the ammonia spike. Personally, I'll never re-use live sand again. Unless it's just a cup or two to seed a much larger volume of new sand.
But, many have washed live sand and haven't had issues, so maybe it was the way I did it or I didn't clean it enough.

i dont have anything in my tank yet its still cycling with just live rock but sorry to hear about what happened to u

[daplatapus]

i dont have anything in my tank yet its still cycling with just live rock but sorry to hear about what happened to u

Worse, I was helping moving someone else's tank :(
If you're just starting a tank, it'll no doubt kick start your cycle. But I wouldn't necessarily pay any more for live sand though. It'll become live soon enough.

[jason604]

Any1 know the proper way to clean used live sand?

[FragIt Dan]

I have moved my tanks a few times. Each time I have emptied the DSB and put it into several buckets, filling each about half way. I stick a garden hose going near full blast down to the bottom and liquify the sand. Swish the hose around holding the end in the bottom of the sand for several minutes until the water is completely clear. Dump the water out and move onto the next bucket. Your hand will be freezing by the end :).
If you are doing FOWLR I have virtually an infinite amount you can have for free, but I am in Nanaimo. I might be able to find a ride over for it around the 8th. How many 20l pails would you like? Some of these came out of Cu treated tanks so I would not use it with a reef tank.
Dan

[jason604]

yea im planning to have a reef tank

[FragIt Dan]

It was worth a try :). Guess you'll have to clean somebody else's sand for your tank :)


Dan