New Tank, new sand?

Discussion in 'Sand' started by Stingray, May 7, 2014.

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  1. Stingray

    Stingray Blue Ringed Angel

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    Im due to swap tanks in the next week or 2, its been set up for a year now, but whenever i read about swapping tanks the only thing that plays with my mind is suggestions to swap out the old sand for new, why is this can someone please elaborate, surely i would be ridding beneficial bacteria not to mention bristle worms and other beneficial small inverts?
     
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  3. Marshall O

    Marshall O Giant Squid

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    I rinsed my shallow sand bed from my old tank in saltwater and then right into my new tank. I would not do this with a deep sand bed due to possible built up gases. How old and deep is the sandbed?
     
  4. Ballgame

    Ballgame Millepora

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    I'm doing same thing. I've read it's better to start new with sand so nothing is built up in ikd sand. It's not worth brining in old sand nutrience
     
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  5. Billme

    Billme Eyelash Blennie

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    I think one of the concerns with a deep sandbed is the possibly of anaerobic bacteria in the deeper parts. Anaerobic generate dangerous toxins and you don't want them released too quickly.
     
  6. Stingray

    Stingray Blue Ringed Angel

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    Sand is around 1 1/2" deep less in some places
    It's 1 year old
    Maybe I could do half and half
     
  7. DSC reef

    DSC reef Giant Squid

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    Rinse your sand in salt water and put it in the new tank.
     
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  9. Marshall O

    Marshall O Giant Squid

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    Yup. In this specific case, don't let horror stories scare you. Just rinse it real good in saltwater (you can just use the water from the tank you are draining) and you will be fine. Should be obvious but don't dump that water into your new tank ;)
     
  10. ivanbosk

    ivanbosk Feather Duster

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    Nothing horror about it, but old sand beds harbor some really bad things and it is much safer to seed a new bed with some sand than run the risk of creating a horror story.
     
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  11. DSC reef

    DSC reef Giant Squid

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    His sand bed isn't old enough or deep enough to harbor anything bad. If anything it will be good as to add established beneficial bacteria to a new system.
     
  12. Billme

    Billme Eyelash Blennie

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    My limited understanding is that it takes a deep (4") sandbed for anaerobic bacteria to exist. Also very fine sand would allow it's growth easier. Even if there is some anaerobic in there, I would guess that a rinse would remove the toxins.