"dead sand" cycle question

[riche]

The guy I got my set up from took all his sand out and put in a buclet and put a lid on it, it was taken out of the water a week ago tomorrow and has been in the bucket with the lid since

If I put it in my tank will it start the cycle because its dead but not for long?

 

[jda]

It could if it is full of organics. I would rinse it really well and introduce it slowly.

When you remove sand, you disturb the deeper, anoxic areas that now have oxygen and you can bury the shallower oxic regions that now have no oxygen. Both can die off.

 

[cracker]

Agreed ! rinse it with the garden hose real good until the water runs clear. drain this out & add some ro or new salt water. drain again.
You wanting to startup right away ? If not put it out in the sun to dry. That will remove any chlorine & kill any bad guys.

 

[Dodge Ram]

That sand is still full of life/bacteria. Rinse out the big crap.

 

[riche]

That sand is still full of life/bacteria. Rinse out the big crap.

What if I put it in the tank and put a hang on the back filter on the tank for a few days while stirring it up every few hrs?