Moving and sand question

[MuShu]

So, if all goes well, we will be moving to a new house in the next 4-6 months. I started my tank this past May, so it's only 7-8 months old. Do I need to replace the sand after I move, or is the tank still new enough that stirring up the sand won't be an issue?

Depending on financing, we may need to move it twice. Once to a holding location and then the final move to a new house if we cannot get financing to move before selling our current house. I mention this in case it affects the answer.

I also have planted freshwater tanks. Do they have the same issues with the substrate and moving as saltwater tanks? One has fluorite planted substrate, and the other has the smoother fluval substrate for planted tanks.

 

[kegogut]

Stirring up the sand only matters when you're keeping the tank up and running. It can cause your nitrate to spike. If your breaking the tank down then you dont need to worry about it.

Ive used sand that has been in storage for years. I actually have recycled sand in all 3 of my tanks. I rinse the sand with tap until it runs clear and drain as much as possible,then rinse well with RO/DI and add some dechlorinator. After that I drain it and add it to the tank.

 

[nate16]

I've moved tanks multiple times and always kept the sand.

 

[thegrun]

Well, I'll take the other side. There is some risk in moving a sand bed. By the time you move your tank will be over a year old, so depending on your clean up crew and maintenance that's plenty of time for detritus and phosphates to have polluted the sand bed and moving it does pose a risk of kicking off a new cycle. If you have to move twice I defineatly would not keep the sand simply because it's a pain to deal with, go bare bottom during the moving process.

 

[ericarenee]

Well, I'll take the other side. There is some risk in moving a sand bed. By the time you move your tank will be over a year old, so depending on your clean up crew and maintenance that's plenty of time for detritus and phosphates to have polluted the sand bed and moving it does pose a risk of kicking off a new cycle. If you have to move twice I defineatly would not keep the sand simply because it's a pain to deal with, go bare bottom during the moving process.

i agree ...


If your jut moving from place to place you can keep a small portion of sand to help kick start the new tank..

I also think if your going to store the sand for a while.. CLEAN IT VERY GOOD UP FRONT.. STORE It in a air tight container then clean it very well before you use it again . Ohh Let it completly dry out before storing it. the sand will hold moisture for a very long time and during that time build up with nutrirents

 

[billdogg]

And I'm going to take the middle ground here.

Just how big of a tank and how much sand are we talking about? If it's a 40b with #20 of sand, I wouldn't bother with more than a cup or two to reseed the new sand. If it's #300 of sand then it is probably worth your while to clean it well and re use it. I have done it both ways and never had an issue with either method. I would probably skip the sand on the temporary setup just to avoid one hassle.

 

[MuShu]

And I'm going to take the middle ground here.

Just how big of a tank and how much sand are we talking about? If it's a 40b with #20 of sand, I wouldn't bother with more than a cup or two to reseed the new sand. If it's #300 of sand then it is probably worth your while to clean it well and re use it. I have done it both ways and never had an issue with either method. I would probably skip the sand on the temporary setup just to avoid one hassle.

55gal with 40lbs of sand.

For further clarification, it will be in a second location for 2-3 months, so we will be breaking it down to move, and re setting it up at the interim location (a family business) and then to the new house. Our current house needs all floors refinished and rooms painted, and the contractor doesn't want to risk the health of the tanks, so he wants them out of the house during the work.

 

[kegogut]

I agree on going bare bottom on the in between tank. But It will be more than ok to rinse and reuse the sand. That being said if it's only 40lbs. or basically two bags, it might be worth it to just buy new sand. When I did it it was for 300-400 lbs. so was more cost efficient given time vs. money aspect for me to rinse and reuse.