Old Live sand reuse ?

mohammadali · #1 05-19-2017, 09:00 PM

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 ?

WarDog · #2 05-19-2017, 09:37 PM

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

corallivore · #3 05-19-2017, 09:56 PM

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.

Frogger · #4 05-20-2017, 02:02 AM

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

mohammadali · #5 05-20-2017, 04:13 PM

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 ?

dino · #6 05-20-2017, 07:16 PM

Just rinse it for a long time

Galizio · #7 05-21-2017, 09:23 PM

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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corpusse · #8 05-24-2017, 01:19 PM

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.

DKoKoMan · #9 05-24-2017, 02:26 PM

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

mohammadali · #10 05-26-2017, 06:34 AM

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