SB Move...Crash possible?

stevedola · #1 12/26/2007, 11:47 AM

wondering if there is any contrete tests done when reusing a 4" sandbed. Ill be moving a 90g tank and wanted to reuse the sb however other reefers are contending that by reusing the sandbed I will be releasing toxins and other harmful agents into my newly set up tank. is that correct>? or is it a scapegoat of others from personal ill proper planning and bad decisions?

boxfishpooalot · #2 12/26/2007, 11:51 AM

Yep your correct. There are many possiblitys that can happen. Like:

-disturb H2S and sufforcate the fish
-Disturb sand and all the goodies inside, like organic materials, and suforcate the fish due to bacterial growth consuming oxygen.
-Release Phosphate killing the corals.
-Relase an enormous number of bacteria causing all sorts of infections/disease.
-Disturbing the bed, loss of denitrification. Takes time to reestablish, now you got nitrates rising.

Those are my observations.

stevedola · #3 12/26/2007, 01:13 PM

do you think I can wash the sand and then reseed using live sand?

Mike O'Brien · #4 12/26/2007, 03:17 PM

You could do that. A nice bath in water with some Muriatic acid will help to dissolve the outer layer of the sand. That will help with some of the nutrient issues you'll hear about.

Personally, I'd use this as a chance to get some fresh sand. Hopefully not, but possibly some day, you'll have a problem and suspect the old sand bed. Been there, done that.

stevedola · #5 12/26/2007, 04:34 PM

the sand bed is only 8 mths old...would rather not have to spend 150 on new sand. why muriatic acid? couldnt just wash off the fauna and other organics>?

Mike O'Brien · #6 12/26/2007, 04:43 PM

Because Phosphate and other bad things binds to aragonite sand. How much that will matter, I don't know. But it would be a fresh start.

bertoni · #7 12/26/2007, 07:40 PM

If the sandbed is only eight months old, it likely can be moved safely. I've done that myself without any problems. I'd be ready with water for changes, and have some Prime on hand, though, since animals on the live rock might die.

If there are large black sections or other signs of a lot of anaerobic decay, I'd pitch the sand, though.

stevedola · #8 12/26/2007, 09:32 PM

ok, thanks bertoni. A few fellow BRS members piped up and a gave similar response. If I see the black areas Ill ditch it.