Moving Live Sand

J

James331

New member
I think I know the answer, but want to ask it anyway....

Is there a safe way to move live sand from one system to another without starting a new cycle in the new system? I have approximately 200 pounds that I want to use in a new system, but also don't want to nuke the new one, either...

Thanks,
James
 
Have sorta the same issue... if you treat it like a fish and keep in under water and up to temp can it stay out of the system for 4-5 hours without causing a major cycle or much of one at all?
 
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I helped a buddy upgrade tanks. We scooped all the sand out of his old tank and spread it into his new tank, pretty much the way it came out of the old. We then put a 1in. layer of South Down over it. Put all the rock and water into the new tank, then the critters. Didn't lose a single coral or fish.
 
I've always just started anew or completely dried out the old and then added it... this is just the first time I've wanted to use the same sand.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12438102#post12438102 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 2crazyreefers
IMO I would not re-use the sand, I know people who lost their tanks by doing this. Just my 2 cents.
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...and a whole tank's inhabitants are probably not worth buying a few new bags of sand.... Thanks for justifying it for me!
 
It seems like you've made your decision already, but I laid down some new sand in a new tank then poured my old sand over it. I had a very minor cycle, a little ammonia, and then everything was fine. I didn't keep a deep sand bed, though, so your mileage may vary with sand depth.
 
I've found that the best way to use some of your LS to "seed" a barren sandbed is to put maybe 5 lbs of LS into the leg of pantyhose, then cut the hose and ties the open end...use the sand in the top inch or so of your existing sandbed; don't scoop down to the bottom layers as you may have some nasty stuff in there...

lay it on top of your new sandbed, leave it there for a 4 days to a week, then remove...

an excellent way to introduce a hefty amount of bacteria and other life into a new sandbed IMO.

But no, I wouldn't move an entire sandbed from 1 tank to the other...
 
I have made the move with the same 200 lbs. of sand bed twice, I too added about 80 lbs. of sand on top of the existing (once transferred) and 5 days later moved ALL livestock back in without a single loss, over the past 2 more years I have a total of 340 lbs. This year I will be upgrading again to a 220 inwall and I will either completely use all the same sand and add another 40 lbs. or remove half and add the other half with new. I don't believe in the sand bed crash syndrome for the most part, there are too many variables, It's hard to imagine that after 5 years the sand dies........ remove some-add some. It's like worrying about weather or not your car will last a million miles, who owns a car to 200,000. very few people keep the same tank over 5 years...etc.. etc.. James-use the same sand and add some more.
 
I guess I should have posted what was happening to me with this one and I didn't mean to hijack this thread :( . I am in the process of moving and the whole tank must come with me. It looks like I will need to get a new bag of sand from what I can tell But it would be nice if I didn't have to.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12439291#post12439291 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Matt850
I guess I should have posted what was happening to me with this one and I didn't mean to hijack this thread :( . I am in the process of moving and the whole tank must come with me. It looks like I will need to get a new bag of sand from what I can tell But it would be nice if I didn't have to.
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lol... no problem...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12438596#post12438596 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by corals b 4 bills
I have made the move with the same 200 lbs. of sand bed twice, I too added about 80 lbs. of sand on top of the existing (once transferred) and 5 days later moved ALL livestock back in without a single loss, over the past 2 more years I have a total of 340 lbs. This year I will be upgrading again to a 220 inwall and I will either completely use all the same sand and add another 40 lbs. or remove half and add the other half with new. I don't believe in the sand bed crash syndrome for the most part, there are too many variables, It's hard to imagine that after 5 years the sand dies........ remove some-add some. It's like worrying about weather or not your car will last a million miles, who owns a car to 200,000. very few people keep the same tank over 5 years...etc.. etc.. James-use the same sand and add some more.
Click to expand...

I did actually think of doing that. I do have 40 lbs. of brand new tropic eden and approx. 40 lbs. of southdown.... that may just work... Thanks!
 
I am just about to go through something similar upgrading from a 55 to a 120. I am scared if I replace the sand the tank will recycle. I have to break down the 55 and set up the 120, moving everything into it the same day. I am nervous! 1/2 of people told me not to worry, 1/2 have told me not to be an idiot, replace the sand while you can.
 
I've heard of folks taking 25% of the top of the bed to seed new sand in another tank. But (as noted by others) you can release a lot of toxins if sand from the lower portion of the bed is brought to the surface.
 
I'm in the same boat. I'm upgrading from at 75 to 120 and wanted to take the old sand as well. At this point I'm unsure what to do.
 
Well, I'll be upgrading my 75g to a 120g this weekend, all LS and LR will move to the new tank, fishes and corals will go to two 20g tanks that were setup 2 weeks ago (0 ammonia already), and once the new tank cycles I'll put them back there, I'm expecting one or two weeks maximum since I'm reusing the old LR&LS plus adding more LR and LS that are already cured.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12445157#post12445157 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ccampo
Well, I'll be upgrading my 75g to a 120g this weekend, all LS and LR will move to the new tank, fishes and corals will go to two 20g tanks that were setup 2 weeks ago (0 ammonia already), and once the new tank cycles I'll put them back there, I'm expecting one or two weeks maximum since I'm reusing the old LR&LS plus adding more LR and LS that are already cured.
Click to expand...

Please keep us updated on how the testing goes and how long the cycle is.
 
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