Moving Tank, Sand Question

I have a 45 Gallon that has been up for about 2 years and I will be moving it soon about 5 miles across town and I have about 2-3 inches of sand in there now in the back left theres a small 4 inch pile and was wondering if i should keep the old sand or use new one? I can see alot of life in my sand and am reluctant to toss it out for new one or rinse it. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated ;D

 

New sand with a sup of the old would be the best. Shifting sand that old around can release a lot of bad.

 

what kind of sand sifting crew have you had in the past?
For that short a move, assuming your setting back up the same tank, you can drain the water to an inch over the sand and transport it as is in the tank. As long as you go slow and careful you wont disturb the sandbed too much.
On the other hand if you have no clean up crew/ sand sifters in the tank then mikejrice is correct, save a cup full of the old sand, and start with fresh new sand.

 

IMO it's a risk to transport a tank with a layer of sand in it. If it's only an inch tall, in a 45gallon tank, that's a lot of weight. Tanks are not made to be moved with anything inside, the silicone might not survive such shear. This information is usually included with new tanks on the paperwork.

That said, IMO it's also a risk to use disturbed sand; and it's next to impossible to move a tank without disturbing the sand.

I'd use new. For the price, it's well worth the insurance you get.

 

I moved from a 65g to a 120g to a 210g and I bought new live sand each time and seeded it with a cup of the old.

 

I have never understood "live sand" that is bought. I guess the LFS I have been to have never carried it other than the CaribSea "live sand", although I would think that months on a shelf would eliminate most life.. Im not trying to be a pest, just curious on thoughts.. If I were to upgrade, I would buy the non silicate sand at home depot and then use a cup or two of my current sand to make it live and save a ton of money..

 

I would just get new sand and add a cup of the old also. I have always got dry sand when I did the tank and it will become live.

 

I have done exactly what your talking about on a 29 fowlr with 2" SB and never saw any ill effects. If it had been a deeper SB I would have throwed it away. On your 45 I would personelly change it out and not risk damage to the tank. JMO

 

OK, thanks everyone, I'm just going to toss out the old and get some new sand.

 

I moved my 40 gallon three times with the sand and bout 5" of water in it and ll ws fine. This is what I would suggest doing. Whatever you do, do not disturb it! If you do disturb it, then new sand would be best, but you'll still probably cycle.