Culturing Live sand from the reefs of Curaçao

[Tuna Melt]

So I recently returned from a scubba trip to Curaçao (which was beautiful by the way). While I was 60 feet under on a reef slope, I grabbed a small mason jar of sand. I had no issues getting through customs (I suspect because of global entry) though I cannot recommend anyone try it lol. Evidence of last summer's SCTLD epidemic was everywhere in shallower waters so I definitely want to test the sand with aquabiomics prior to adding it to my tank. I also am just generally curious to see what the biome looks like. My last experience with aquabiomics took a few months and this is a very small sample of sand so I would like to try and sustain the bacterial community while I wait for results. I was thinking of just throwing it in a small 5 gallon tank with some dry sand, an airstone, and occasionally feeding it. Maybe putting a carbon source in as well.

Anyone have any thoughts on how to go about this?

Best,
Taylor

 

[KrisReef]

Rinse the dry sand clean, add some sand sifters and pickers and feed it coral foods (plankton) every now and again, lightly.