Used sand question

Discussion in 'Sand' started by OCD, Jul 8, 2007.

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  1. OCD

    OCD Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    May 15, 2007
    Messages:
    33
    Location:
    Saucier,ms
    I've got about a 150lbs of sand from a tank that someone else took down for free. I don't know what there tank perimeters were. I Just know the tank was setting for about a month with water flow and a little light and the water looked pretty yuk.
    I have a crushed coral bed right now and it can be a pain in the but.
    Would the sand be ok to use or what to do to make it safe?
     
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  3. Tangster

    Tangster 3reef Sponsor

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2006
    Messages:
    5,644
    Location:
    Va/Ct
    No I would not use that sand.. In concrete for a building a foundation.. Its foul and probably exhausted of all the elements that a good sand should have.. People don't understand that a good grade of sand will dissolve and its mineral content will go in to solution in the water helping to supply ca. Carbonates and many other trace elements. Get yourself some good fresh aragonite substrate as its dissolves better at higher P.H's we maintain in marine tanks..
     
  4. djnzlab1

    djnzlab1 Aiptasia Anemone

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2006
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    Location:
    Va Beach, Va
    what type of sand is it

    HI,
    If you keep the sand wash it well one say 10 pound rinse alot, I use a small coleman cooler to help this and well water,
    If you have rinsed most of the detri out and its rinsing clear, I would cycle it as any new system, I don't depnd on my sand for ca or kh so it rarely ever get used Calcium can"nt dissolve above a ph of about 8 and I never get that low.
    That sand may be just fine as long there's no copper been used in the tank if you want to keep inverts or corals.

    I ve used home depot sand without any problems with silica , my guess it dosen't dissove that easily in saltwater
    There's lots of concerns about quality of sand.
    Doug