moving sand?

Discussion in 'Sand' started by telamont, Jul 21, 2012.

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  1. telamont

    telamont Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    I set up a new tank and wanted to use the sand from my old tank if possible. Is this a possibility? If not moving the sand to the main tank what about into a sump that is not running yet? I have a sump im building for my new tank that I wanted to make a deep sand bed in could I start the deep sand bed with the sand from my old system?
     
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  3. Dyonopses1

    Dyonopses1 Skunk Shrimp

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    I was wondering the same thing. I was planning to move some live sand from my established tank to the new tank along with some of the water to help with the cycling process. Is this not a good idea?
     
  4. telamont

    telamont Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    i found that adding the water if its clean or at least a little it is a good idea but i read the sand is not. im wondering if there is a safe way or another way to use up this sand though instead of wasting it.
     
  5. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    You can release a lot more trouble by using well established sand. I suggest getting new dry sand to restart with.
     
  6. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    You would want to rinse it very well which would bring you back to about the same level as new dry sand.
     
  7. telamont

    telamont Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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  9. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

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    You can seed the new sand with a couple of cups of sand from an established system to help with your cycle or seeding of microfauna.Using water from an established system will have little effect on a cycling tank because for the most part the bacteria you are trying to grow lives on surfaces not in the water column.;)
     
  10. Dyonopses1

    Dyonopses1 Skunk Shrimp

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    Thanks for the info :)
     
  11. telamont

    telamont Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Yeah thanks for the info. Would you add a few cups of old sand to a new tank to help it cycle or to get all that bacteria again? I added live rock from the old tank to the new Tank... Do you think that added some beneficial bacteria that was in the sand?
     
  12. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    Adding sand from an old tank will help colonize the new sand and adding old rock from a tank to a new one will do the same. Adding live rock from an old tank can help shorten or prevent a cycle.