Live Rock/Live Sand

[jbjints1]

My tank has been disconnected for almost a year due to construction that I've had done to my house, time and space is now available for me to reconnect my tank once again.

I was wondering how I should handle the live sand and live rock I once had. The water that I will be adding will be DI water (TWP), I had to totally empty my tank of water, will the live rock or live sand I once had become live once again or will I have to start from scratch by buying live rock and live sand?

Thanks in advance,

Joe

 

[Anonymous]

I am doing something similar this week. To answer your question, it depends on the condition of the sand and rock. If they are in good shape, with living coralline algea and worms (they survived in my tank, without circulation and heating/chilling), then the procedure will be different from restarting from dried "live" rock and sand.

For me, I am going to drain the old water out, make new salt water in a small tank, then pump the saltwater up so that the rock and sand will not be shocked by the DI water. I need to do this like 4 or 5 times to fill up the tank, but the hassel is worth it since the rock and sand is in good shape.

 

[Anonymous]

If it's dried out and sitting that way for a year, it's not 'live' anymore. However, the rock could be used for good base rock and the sand is good base sand - just buy a 40# bag of live sand and mix it in with the old sand when you set your tank up. then put your old dead/dry rocks on bottom and purchase new live rock for the upper portions of your reef.