Live Sand: to rinse or not to rinse

[finksmart]

I've heard both sides of the story. Please note that this is for a new tank w/o live stock.

Rinse - to remove the organic or dead matter from fouling your water.

Do not rinse - so you don't lose the beneficial organic matter and bacteria from the sand.

What did you do and how did it turn out?

 

[Mak]

When I start my tank, I did not rinse it at all.. I have the base rock and then dump the sand in there.. and just let it sit, and then I turn on the skimmer & powerhead.

 

[meschaefer]

don't rinse live sand.

 

[Chase]

I didn't rinse mine for reasons you've listed and it turned out fine.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

If you rinse live sand you kill it making it dead sand and wasting your money.

 

[qckwzrd]

The point of live sand is to help cycle the tank. Dont wanna spend $34.99 for live sand to just kill it, you can get a $14.99 bag of sand for that. Check the expiration date on the sand also. Make sure when you add the live sand that your ph, temp and salinity are what they should be at.

 

[masterswimmer]

Dump live sand in without rinsing.....as the others before have already stated.

swimmer

 

[reefman]

only rinse when wc. use the old water to rinse.