live sand question

onemako · Aug 16, 2022

purchased some live sand from lfs no expiration date (was on sale). question does live sand in a sealed bag go bad and is it safe to use in a qt that will be 20 gals.

Jekyl · Aug 16, 2022

onemako said:
purchased some live sand from lfs no expiration date (was on sale). question does live sand in a sealed bag go bad and is it safe to use in a qt that will be 20 gals.

Is there water in the bag?

RedoubtReef · Aug 16, 2022

It's probably fine, but you don't want sand/rock when setting up a QT. You just need a tank, heater and a sponge filter.

Jekyl · Aug 16, 2022

RedoubtReef said:
It's probably fine, but you don't want sand/rock when setting up a QT. You just need a tank, heater and a sponge filter.

This

onemako · Aug 16, 2022

it is damp looking, have not opened it. technically the term i used was qt, but tank is going to be used only for 4 watchman gobies before being given to two friends

RedoubtReef · Aug 16, 2022

are you planning to medicate or treat for any diseases?

onemako · Aug 17, 2022

no, treatment or anything. someone had them well established and are moving and asked me if i wanted them, my main tank is about 7 months old and i am just giving these gobies a roof and bed until their new home can be ready. never thought about sand as possibly being bad, just didn't want to spike the water and was going to introduce the sand slowly thanks for answers

RedoubtReef · Aug 17, 2022

OK, you will need a cycled tank then. I would expect a cycle if you use the bag of live sand you have.

ScionFRSguy · Aug 17, 2022

Anything that is living can expire in bag. The only way to know whether or not it's safe is to test tank once it's set up with a coral or fish. If you plan on using the sand, make sure to give it a good rinse with RODI before use.

I never finish anythi · Sep 24, 2022

ScionFRSguy said:
Anything that is living can expire in bag. The only way to know whether or not it's safe is to test tank once it's set up with a coral or fish. If you plan on using the sand, make sure to give it a good rinse with RODI before use.

Thought you do not rinse live sand tho