sand mix dilemma

[mr_X]

well, i made the mistake of mixing crushed coral with my fiji pink. why? i don't know i was worried about the fiji sand being too fine i guess. meanwhile, it's gotten quite ugly, and needs to be removed.
i am reluctant to vaccuum it thoroughly, due to a few sand dwelling/sifting creatures i keep.
i don't know if it is reducing nitrates. i rarely have any, but that could be due to a few reasons. but then again, the rare presence of minimal nitrates might be caused by this ugly dsb.
i am planning a major change- new glass tank, new location, reef ready..bla bla bla, and i am wondering if i should use this sand at all.
if i want to keep the live sand i spent lots of money on, how can i save it?
is it as simple as straining out the coral and keeping whatever falls through? i am wondering if this would be more trouble than it is worth.
basically, i'm asking for input/ideas.

 

[Anonymous]

I would save it. But keep in mind that I am a cheapskate.

 

[Len]

You have corals IN your sandbed to strain out? I'd use some of it to seed your new tank. Personally, I wouldn't use it all (would get some new sand).

 

[JKDMan]

i would also get new sand but would also seed with a bit of the old stuff

 

[mr_X]

yes, i was given about 75 pounds of crushed coral substrate for free. i simply added it to the 100 pounds of live sand i had just purchased.
the crushed coral has grains about the size of BB's. while they used to be white, now they are algae/grime covered and kind of look like little pieces of live rock rubble.