Frozen Sand and Brute container

[homer1475]

So as the title suggests I just received my BRS order and with it is 80# of aragalive sand(yes I know that live sand isn't really live, but for the difference of 2$ I got the live). My question is, the order came in frozen(sat on a truck since Friday at -37F), will this hurt anything?

Also my local hardware store(ACE)only carries their own brand of brute container, not an actual brute, but still made by rubbermaid. I live about 2 hours from anywhere that would resemble a store where I could buy an actual brute container. Its a rubbermaid container with a marking of LDPE 4, will this still be safe to cycle my rock?

 

[Sk8r]

I'd go for Brute, honestly.
Your live sand should actually have live bacteria. However, if they have died, it will just be biomass for whatever bacteria are available, so ok to use. It just won't be what you ordered.

 

[homer1475]

I just called rubbermaid actually, I was told they are brute containers, just made for ACE hardware stores, and are totally food safe as long as its not green. LDPE just refers to the plastic that was used(low density polyethylene), and that is also food safe.

I figured the sand would be OK to use and not "live" anymore, just wanted to make sure. I had already planned on seeding it with a cup or two from my current tank.

Thanks again sk8r. :thumbsup:

 

[Sk8r]

Good, good idea to call Rubbermaid.

 

[thelawnwrangler]

I am shocked ocean water doesn't freeze at a much lower temp. I saw 28 degrees vs 32 degrees

 

[homer1475]

Everything freezes when its minus 37F. It's -15 out right now, never got above -5 yesterday, and the stuff sat on the UPS truck since Friday afternoon. Unfortunately I live in a very rural area and if its not on the UPS truck in the AM, we don't get it till the next day or several days later. They will only send one truck up here a day.

 

[ryeguyy84]

I did the same with rubbermaid and have been using this:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubberma...n-Hi-Top-Storage-Tote-FG3A00H2MICBL/100347929

for a few years and everything is still alive. it's also LDPE, I think HDPE is better but it works. with the one I use I don't put more than 25 gallons in it because it bows. I don't think it's going to collapse but it bows enough to make the lid not fit.