Old Live sand reuse ?
 

I have about 60 pounds live sand in plastic bag .been seating in back yard for almost 2 years .can I wash it with bleach and use it ?

I wouldn't, I'd just buy new. Of all the things in this hobby, new substrate is not expensive.

I always reuse sand.


Wash it thoroughly...like really thoroughly.

Put it in a big rubbermaid, stick a hose in and stir stir stir until the water runs clear.

Once that's done, let it sit in some RO water for a day with some chemiclean or GFO, stir, dump water, rinse once more with RO.

Lots of effort for not a lot of savings but if you are so inclined, you don't need to buy new sand.

Never used bleach, I don't see why it wouldn't work if rinsed very, very well.

If you have ever treated your tank with copper I wouldn't re-use it.

Thanks for the info the bag I put sand in has some rip so all kinda of water been in sand so I think I should throw it away ?

Just rinse it for a long time

Too much work, and probably still have issue with it after, is probably one of the cheapest thing to buy for the hobby, personally I will go for new


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Rinsing new sand is a lot of work. Rinsing old sand is a LOT of work. You already have it might as well use it. I have reused sand several times in the past. It requires a lot of rinsing but so does most new sand. Rinse a little at a time get it clean.

If you could buy pre rinsed sand that was not going to cloud water at all I might consider buying new sand each time since new sand is also labor intensive might as well use what you got.

There are a lot of affordable options out there for sand. IMO just start fresh with new sand and puck what substrate will work for the inhabitants and what looks good to you :smile:

I tried to rinse some but it was to much wasting water and too much work went and bought 10 lb sand now I need a little live sand from a fully cycled tank

Thanks a lot for your tips

It IS a lot of work for not much savings.

I know. And I don't know what could be in that sand. Not worth the risk