Old sand, opinions?

[new2u]

Hey guys, i've just picked up my new 120 and almost have it moved into position, but have about 100lbs of sand currently in the tank. It was circulating at his place, and we drained it down with just a little water covering the sand. Then, after the 5 hours plus it sat like that, i put some more water in to get a little deeper covering, but I won't be finished plumbing and mixing water till tuesday or wednsday, latest saturday. Do you think that this can still be used? I'd also like to add a little more to cover some of the closed loop plumbing, could i add this on top?

 

[Airman]

Your sand should be okay. Just give it a good rinse before you put it in your tank. Your new tank will go through several cycles before it stabilizes. If this sand work well in your old tank than it will work well in your new tank.

What can of sand do you have? Silicate or calcium based? The reason I ask is because I have silicate base sand in my tank and calcium base in my refugium. The silicate sand in the tank is older and it is out performing the refugium sand. I plan to give the sand in the refugium about six more months and if it does not improve than I will change it out.

 

[new2u]

well, it never actually moved, and its already in the tank, so do you think rinsing is nessisary? I'm thinking its calcium based, i'm going to add some larger grains with the new addition sand.

 

[new2u]

Well, today its got a pretty intense ocean smell, and i can't find my ammonia test kit to see if its got any going on, but i can see some hermits and a snail or two moving around in the 2" of water, do you think i could add new sand right on top?

 

[Shoestring Reefer]

I'd use it. You can add sand on top.

 

[Newreeflady]

I've heard not to add sand right on top, which makes sense because the creatures on the top of your current sandbed obviously use oxygen. I would had no more than an inch, and kinda try to "work it in."

jmo,
-A