New (Used) Sand Smell

[beedyb220]

I just received some sand from a 55 gallon tank that was being broken down. The sand was in it for 1/2 a year. It was placed in a bucket with a little salt water. I opened the bucket a little while ago to notice a strong rotten egg odor coming from the sand. Is there a way to et rid of this before putting it in my tank. I just filled my tank and added some liverock to cure in it. Now I want to add some substrate.

Thanks for the advice in advance....
Bryan N.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

Thats just how real live sand smells when its stirred up. Dont worry about it IMO. Are you just starting off your tank? If so, it wont matter if it causes amonia or anything because your tank has to cycle anyways (which produces amonia) and there shouldnt be any fish in there anyways (or corals or anything else).

 

[LarryW]

it should be fine. it should go away in a few days, and esp. with the LR cycling in the tank.

 

[beedyb220]

Thanks ... I think that I'll add it and then do a water change.

 

[beedyb220]

What is the best way to add the sand to the tank with water in it? I read about a technique where you fill a gallon zip lock with sand and sink it in the tank and open/dump it on the bottom of the tank. Anyone, try this?

 

[LarryW]

you could do that, or take a piece of PVC, preferably 2or 3" put it in the tank and pour the sand into the pipe. this will allow you to add it where you want and with just a little bit of a sand storm. usually I add sand first, then water. I place a garbage bag over the sand and pour the water in. the bag floats to the top, and the water is only slightly cloudy.

 

[beedyb220]

Wow.. never thought of that!!! I will try both techniques.

 

[lfduty]

Put a protein skimmer the time you had it put up you killed all the bugs in the sand.

 

[Azial]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9807027#post9807027 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lfduty
Put a protein skimmer the time you had it put up you killed all the bugs in the sand.

I read this a couple times, I am not sure what it means. Are you suggesting using a protein skimmer to kill bugs or something? Or during the cycle? Or on the bucket?

 

[magdelan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9807027#post9807027 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lfduty
Put a protein skimmer the time you had it put up you killed all the bugs in the sand.

So, I've had a few tequilla's and other misc. beverages. I thought that I was not capable of reading this correctly. Azial, thanks for helping me to realize that I am still coherrent.