new or old sand for upgrade and move.

[ChrisB]

I will be upgrading in the coming months and moving. I been reading mixed feelings on using existing sand. Has anyone upgraded or moved tank and used new sand if so what brand sand ? I know when I used Natures Ocean live sand when I started my existing tank it was cloudy for a few days.

 

[bertyboy69]

From what i have read , and im not aiming to be an expert but ive read alot on the subject of sand, sand overtime absorbs phospates and it becomes essentially used up , and live sand in a bag most likely isnt live its just wet sand

When i set up my tank i used a bag of live sand but when i move i will actually be replacing it with just regular dry sand since we dont really use tye sand as a filter unless u have a dsb

I personally would use new dry sand thats my plan when i move in the neae future

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Reefs

 

[ChrisB]

From what i have read , and im not aiming to be an expert but ive read alot on the subject of sand, sand overtime absorbs phospates and it becomes essentially used up , and live sand in a bag most likely isnt live its just wet sand

When i set up my tank i used a bag of live sand but when i move i will actually be replacing it with just regular dry sand since we dont really use tye sand as a filter unless u have a dsb

I personally would use new dry sand thats my plan when i move in the neae future

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Reefs

Brand?

 

[bertyboy69]

I havent gotten that far lol , i would assume any sand will do , the size and color depends on what u like

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Reefs

 

[cmantis]

It really depends if you feel like cleaning it well then go for it. I have done it a couple of times.

 

[Mattl22]

It also depends what u wanna keep !
I
Be found no sand bed to be pretty usefull for keeping nutrients down!

 

[drej424]

I've always used new sand when starting a new tank. I started with a 55, upgraded to a 75, then a 90, and now I have a 150 & a 215. My next tank will be a 300 DD. I've always used CaribSea live sand, but I think I'm going to try Tropic Eden reef flakes this time.

 

[SanmanReefer]

I love Tropic Eden Reef flakes. I've been using that for awhile and don't want to use any other brand. The only downside is that it's sold only from Premium Aquatics. Hope this helps.

 

[ecvernon]

I like tropic Eden reef flakes also. A great substrate! Hopefully PA gets it in stock before my upgrade or I will have to go with the finer grade mini flakes.

 

[SanmanReefer]

I like tropic Eden reef flakes also. A great substrate! Hopefully PA gets it in stick into e for my upgrade or I will have to go with the fiber grade mini flakes

That's what happened to me, they were out of it and I had to order the Mini Flakes. They said they'd be getting more in about a month and a half.

 

[ecvernon]

Will the minifkakes make sandstorms in a high flow aquarium?

 

[drej424]

How did you like the mini flakes, Sanman? I was thinking of getting the sample pack sold at PA to see what the difference is.

 

[samksy]

I have use existing sand for upgrade and downgrade for several times. No ill effect as long as you clean the old sand up and rise out. If you think of it this way, we are all using 2nd hand sand, it all came from the ocean at one point. I'm using figi pink, it's not too small and not too big....perfect grain size.

 

[ChrisB]

I would use the old sand , I am asking because most people replace it on a move or upgrade because of it starts to hold phosphate over time.

 

[samksy]

I would use the old sand , I am asking because most people replace it on a move or upgrade because of it starts to hold phosphate over time.

That's because everyone think it's bad to reuse the sand and it gets spread as rumors. Just rinse it out nicely. I restarted my 150 with new sand only because i didn't have old sand to use as i total left the hobby 3 years ago. But i didn't have enough, and got a 5 gallon USED sand from a buddy. All I did was rinse it with my water change nicely and 1/5 of a gallon each week. My tank is striving after a year ...."knock on wood".