Reusing sand from old tannk'

Sly1461 · 12/05/2017, 04:30 AM

I recently had a tank leak and had to take everything out and put into a temporary tank. The broken tank still had half the sand in it and has been sitting outside for a couple of weeks now.
couple of questions:
- when I set up the new tank can I reuse this sand?
- if so, would it be worth boiling it in RO water to effectively sterilise it?

Or ditch it and start again?

Thanks

mcgyvr · 12/05/2017, 05:37 AM

IMO ditch it and just buy new dry sand or just rinse it really well in tap water then let it dry in the sun.. But its just so cheap why even waste the time cleaning it..
Buy new dry sand.. be done with it.

I never recommend boiling anything in this hobby as toxic gases can be released which can cause serious illness or worse..

top shelf · 12/05/2017, 05:51 AM

^^^^^ Like mcgyvr said if your going to reuse it rinse it really well or just buy new. I see no issues reusing sand as I've done it and so haven't countless others it's a personal preference thing. Again like mcgyvr said DO NOT boil the sand. The term cooking liverock means something entirely different and refers to cleaning it in an acid solution.

Sly1461 · 12/05/2017, 05:54 AM

Thank you!

mal7887 · 12/05/2017, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

I never recommend boiling anything in this hobby as toxic gases can be released which can cause serious illness or worse..

+1, heard many horror stories about this.

johnike · 12/05/2017, 06:12 AM

I've thoroughly rinsed used sand before with no problems at all.

Uncle99 · 12/07/2017, 01:02 PM

It will work, me too.
I also used about 4 cups of the old sand unwashed to "seed" the new sand quicker.

12/05/2017, 04:30 AM	#1
Sly1461 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 37	Reusing sand from old tannk' I recently had a tank leak and had to take everything out and put into a temporary tank. The broken tank still had half the sand in it and has been sitting outside for a couple of weeks now. couple of questions: - when I set up the new tank can I reuse this sand? - if so, would it be worth boiling it in RO water to effectively sterilise it? Or ditch it and start again? Thanks __________________ 30g reef tank, TMC V2 iLumenAir 600, Eheim Professional filter running Carbon and Phosbond, Reef Octopus HoB Skimmer, two powerheads.

12/05/2017, 05:37 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	IMO ditch it and just buy new dry sand or just rinse it really well in tap water then let it dry in the sun.. But its just so cheap why even waste the time cleaning it.. Buy new dry sand.. be done with it. I never recommend boiling anything in this hobby as toxic gases can be released which can cause serious illness or worse.. __________________ Who me?

12/05/2017, 05:51 AM	#3
top shelf Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,022	^^^^^ Like mcgyvr said if your going to reuse it rinse it really well or just buy new. I see no issues reusing sand as I've done it and so haven't countless others it's a personal preference thing. Again like mcgyvr said DO NOT boil the sand. The term cooking liverock means something entirely different and refers to cleaning it in an acid solution. __________________ Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it into a fruit salad. Philosophy is wondering if that means ketchup is a smoothie. Current tank info: 45g SCA Cube

12/05/2017, 05:54 AM	#4
Sly1461 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 37	Thank you! __________________ 30g reef tank, TMC V2 iLumenAir 600, Eheim Professional filter running Carbon and Phosbond, Reef Octopus HoB Skimmer, two powerheads.

12/05/2017, 06:12 AM	#6
johnike Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bureau County Illinois Posts: 5,406	I've thoroughly rinsed used sand before with no problems at all.

12/07/2017, 01:02 PM	#7
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	It will work, me too. I also used about 4 cups of the old sand unwashed to "seed" the new sand quicker.