how to store rock and sand for 6+ month

I am moving in a few month and in preparation I've taken down my tank

I took my live rock out of my tank, dried it a bit, and put it in buckets with lid...it's still damp (I would of air dried fully but the smell became too much)...can I store it long term like this (I understand it will become dry rock) but is it harmful to the rock/create any mold/bacteria doing this? or should I really dry it well before this?

same for the sand...it was very wet when I put it in...can I just leave it in the bucket or should I take it out and dry it? and if so, how would I go about dying sand?

thanks!

 

Hi Tony,

You need to set it on fire - it is the only way that the bacteria will not mutate to a swamp monster and attack your family.

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I am only kidding! - Assuming you do not want the bacteria due to the length of time it will be out of water. I would let it dry out.

 

whats the best way to dry out the sand?

 

Depends on what is available to you! IF it is a soft bucket I would just drill a couple of small holes in the bottom and leave it!

IF you need to rush it, just stir it daily. Takes awhile if the sand is stacked within a bucket. IF you have a garage (which I know you do LOL) you can just lay it out on garbage bags to spread it out.

 

Yeah, I'd spread it as thinly as possible (maximize area exposed to air to facilitate evaporation). If you can do it somewhere protected from the wind and in the sun, all the better. Alternately, you could put it on a cookie sheet and bake it for awhile. That might smell pretty bad though.

 

ok this is from my personal experience by all means im not a expert. I took a 55 gallon bucket put all the rock in it filled it with tank water stuck 2 power head and a heater i kept in my bathroom with a light on a timer on i kept in the bucket for 5 month i did a small water change every month. The sand i took the bed sheet off my bed when my wife wasnt home be careful they dont take that kindly for some reason laid it out in the sun and spreed the sand on in and let it dry out once its dry stick it in bucked and rinse it out couple of times repeat the process and store it so there you.

and since you took the rock out already the smell is only going to get worse i would rinse the rock out with fresh water and set them out in the backyard and let them completely dry out before sticking them in the bucket