Live Sand in Cycling Dry Rock

[crocogator106]

Hey folks looking for some advise. I ordered a 20lb bag of live sand and when it was delivered the box was soaking wet because the live sand bag had a leak due to shipping. I have 50lbs of dry rock curing in a plastic trash can. I called the company I ordered it through and they are sending a new bag. My concern is that I just dumped the bag of sand in with my curing rock thinking I might save any bacteria that were still alive in the sand. The rock is pukani and has been leeching phosphates for the past month. I have been dosing LC and almost have the phosphates and a manageable level (0.06-0.06). I'm worried that the phosphates might now bind up in the sand with the LC and be even harder to remove. What do you guys think, are my concerns valid?

 

[thegrun]

I suspect you are fine. Since the LC is keeping the phosphates low I don't see an issue with them being high enough for the sand to absorb much.

 

[crocogator106]

I was hoping to hear that-thanks!

 

[JWClark]

How will you separate the LC precipitate from the sand? That would be my only concern. If the sand was still wet then the bacteria were still alive.

 

[crocogator106]

That's my main concern that the lc precipitate which has bonded with the phosphates has settled into the sand. The sand was still wet when I added it. The bag was only in shipping 2 days so I'm hoping most of the bacteria made it.


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[JWClark]

If this is the case then what I would do, when ready to use, would be to move the sand into a 5 gal bucket and stir. I would imagine that the sand is heavier than the LC precipitate so should settle to the bottom, w/ LC precipitate on top. Once stagnant, I'd skim or suck the sand surface off, then repeat a few times.

You could stick a hose to the bottom of the bucket w/ enough flow to flush the LC precipitate out but not so much you blow sand out. Using fresh watewr will kill a lot of bacteria though (I wouldn't care since your rock will be well colonized).

I don't think the LC would ever release the phosphates so any residual remaining in the sand would never be available for biological use. I just wouldn't want a lot as it might be an irritant for something when blown around in the tank. Someone smarter than mew can jump in here on these aspects though.

 

[crocogator106]

Yea I'm thinking of just not using it. I'm afraid the phosphates might continue to leech or start leeching a year down the road once in the tank. I just hate to waste the sand but it may not be worth the trouble or risk. Rinsing with tap water might only add more phosphates as well.


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[JWClark]

Could rinse w/ salt water but will cost salt.

If it were me I'd just not use. Like you said, not worth the risk. One of the hardest things in this hobby, outside patience, is to stop yourself from making a potential mistake because $$ was already spent.