How long will livesand and rock stay "live"

[jcolon2]

I have over 70 pounds of livesand. If I remove it from my tank and put it in buckets with a little water on top, how long will the sand stay live? I know there will be some die-off, but approximately how much? I have somebody taking the livesand tomorrow for free, but I'd like to get it out of the tank before then.

 

[albano]

I have over 70 pounds of livesand. If I remove it from my tank and put it in buckets with a little water on top, how long will the sand stay live? I know there will be some die-off, but approximately how much? I have somebody taking the livesand tomorrow for free, but I'd like to get it out of the tank before then.

There will be die off, but when it goes back in a tank (after rinsing, with salt water), it should reseed itself

 

[Og Drogon]

I was told that sand in a bucket would completely die, if kept with out proper heat and that any sand thats more 5-6 inches in a bucket would be dead...don't know how true though. :-/


Fix Your Fin Or Get Your Fin Fixed!

 

[albano]

I was told that sand in a bucket would completely die, if kept with out proper heat and that any sand thats more 5-6 inches in a bucket would be dead...don't know how true though. :-/

I think you're right...but that top layer can help reseed the rest, once it's back in a tank.

 

[Wesley]

Put a powerhead and heater in there and they'll survive just like when they are in your tank.

 

[LongIslandAndy]

Sand does not move too well, every layer has different bacteria growing and mixing it usually just make a mess. If it was me I would wash it thoroughly in fresh salt water and start over. Of course this is just my opinion

 

[Og Drogon]

I think you're right...but that top layer can help reseed the rest, once it's back in a tank.

Unfortunately I agree with albano ;-)



Fix Your Fin Or Get Your Fin Fixed!

 

[KathyC]

If you gave it away as 'live sand' - then leave it in your tank until the person comes to pick it up..otherwise,the bulk of it will not be live when he gets there...

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Reusing live sand is a bad idea.

 

[ming]

How much die offs from live rocks in buckets will depends on what type of life is on it. If there is any sponges, they don't last very well as air bubbles get stuck in them suffocating them. Optimally, if the rocks can stay submerged in water, thats best

 

[NYCrooner]

That begs the question then if Live Sand sold in stores in bags is really live sand at all?!?!


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[Wesley]

Nope, not at all.

 

[Og Drogon]

That begs the question then if Live Sand sold in stores in bags is really live sand at all?!?!


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I've read where they put in something to make the bacteria live longer .... If I'm not mistaken I think it's says it on the bags of live sand


Fix Your Fin Or Get Your Fin Fixed!

 

[Chris Jury]

Agreed with the above: I'd leave the live sand as is, if possible, or keep it damp but not submerged. The biggest problem with putting it in a bucket, or something to that effect, is suffocating animals and microbes by burying them. Most will survive damp and buried much better than in water because oxygen will diffuse to them much more easily, and they can tolerate being out of water much better than out of oxygen.

The "live sand" sold in a bag is, IMHO, little different than the dry sand sold in a bag...other than perhaps a somewhat higher price. It's so far removed from what "live sand" typically should/would mean, it's comical.

cj

 

[Imbarrie]

I would not reuse that sand without rinsing it in a lot of water. The layers will get disturbed and then it becomes a mess.
I would siphon off a couple inches in a separate bucket to seed the rest after I rinsed it.

 

[jcolon2]

Thanks everyone!

 

[albano]

Thanks everyone!

THAT'S IT! ... Thanks!....

Will we ever find out what happened to the sand?
Was it picked up?
Was the buyer 'happy' with the advise you received?

...You really, just gonna leave us hanging?

...You think I got nothing better to do, than worry about your DAMN sand!