Cleaning used sand

[dym]

Hello, I recently bought a tank and it came with sand. The guy said his tank was active 2 weeks ago but I don't believe that because the sand smells absolutely awful and has little shells of critters in it. I already know the best option is to throw it out, but can I sanitize and use this sand somehow? Google says bleach but I'm worried I won't rinse it well enough. It's like 60-70 pounds

 

[JTP424]

Just rinse it with tap water until it runs clear, then a quick rinse with RODI water and it should be good to use!
There are a whole bunch of threads on here about how to do that :)

 

[Idoc]

Just follow the best option and replace the sand completely. The work and headaches of issues that can come from it don't seem worth the time and effort.

I guess a bleach solution would clean it theoretically if you changed the water constantly and started again with fresh water/bleach. But, then you are going to have to rinse that sand so many times to ensure all the bleach/chlorine is out of it. But, I've never done this to confirm. Just buy new sand...

 

[Subsea]

RIP clean using potable water.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Put it in a bucket fill it with tap water, stir it, empty out the brown water, and repeat over and over until the water runs clear when you stir it. I have nano tanks and I do this and it takes hours, its going to be a long job to clean 70 lbs of sand, good luck or buy new sand.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Personally I am a fan of just buying all new sand, but that’s just me!

 

[dym]

Personally I am a fan of just buying all new sand, but that’s just me!

would u also throw out the filter media in a canister filter like sponges? the guy i got it from had a really nice reef tank so i kinda trust it but it was sitting in a garage for 2-3 weeks. i just soaked it in very hot water btw it smelled fine, earthy like a normal filter does