Sand turned into cement

[Anonymous]

Hopefully someone has a suggestion-

During a move 4 years ago I took down a 100gal tank and distributed the inhabitants/nice rock to various reefs and FOWLR tanks around the house. There was some rock left along with about a 5" sand/araganite base that I decided to keep for the future when I restart it.

I took a look last night as I'm ready to set it up and sand has solidified into cement. I added a little water to it and it didn't seem to want to break up. The worst part is that it's still in the tank with the rock inbedded in it and I can't get it out!

Any ideas??

-Greg

 

[Coraltank]

GDawson,The bacteria that once lived on the sand has caused the cementing.You could try some vinegar to disolve the sand from around your rock to free it.HTH

 

[Grandczar]

Kill the bacteria and you will free the sand!
I would use bleach... if its real stubborn stuff. Go to pool supply place and get some muretic acid(spelling?)It will free the sand for sure...!

 

[Anonymous]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Grandczar:
<STRONG>Kill the bacteria and you will free the sand!
I would use bleach... if its real stubborn stuff. Go to pool supply place and get some muretic acid(spelling?)It will free the sand for sure...!

</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Is there any bacteria still living in it? Its been dry for 4 years and packed solid (it really looks like a good quality cement). I tried an ice pick was only able to chip off a couple of small pieces.

Tonight I'll try the vinegar and bleach on an experimental patch. If that's a no go I'll try the acid. Would I need to neutralize the acid after?

 

[Anonymous]

I assume if the tank has been empty for 4 years the bacteria are dead. I would try the vinegar suggestion. You might pour a lot in and let it sit for some time...

 

[kaotica]

make sure it's really acetic vinegar, and not balsamic vinegar.

it will take a while for it to take effect...
basically the bond has to decalcify

 

[davelin315]

Dump stuff on top of it and leave it the way it is. Sound's like you've got a pretty cool set up in your tank, with a large base of potential "live rock" already permanently in place. If it eventually, dissolves, cool, otherwise, who else can say they have a tank that is immune to rock slides?