washing an storing sand questions

[ToXIc]

hey R2R i've got about 40lbs of Caribsea live sand i need to prepare for storage..

i was just thinking about flushing the bucket of sand out with tap water while stirring it up until it runs clear then spreading it out in the sun let it dry the put it back into the bucket close it up and store it..

 

[mrcoffee]

I would use RODI water but yea same sort of deal. In my last move I tossed the sand bed out completely but I am not as freaked as some about re-using sand esp if you are re-using sand in a tank that is not going to be filled with really expensive corals IE full new cycle with nothing in there. When dealing with a tank full of corals I get more and more freaked depending on the number and expense of the corals.

I have frequently pulled sand from the ocean floor to put in coolers and drive back home.

Naturally I have developed some rules about reusing sand and here they are good or bad I AM NO EXPERT but sand is expensive given the fact that it is just sand.

1. wash your sand with RODI water
2. rewash your sand with RODI water
3. Only re-use sand in the bottom of the sand bed. IE cover with a least 1" of new sand.
4. always use a plate or some thing to prevent the sand from stirring up. This is especially important when you are re-using old sand on the bottom of the tank.

As my coral collection grows and my willingness to spend more on my corals and fish increases I become more likely to pay for sand which I think is silly in some ways but I can be cautious.