Washing aand opinion?

[MichaelReefer]

I am moving over to a new tank tomorrow, its about the same size. I know there are mixed opinions but what do you all feel about washing sand? I hear some say it causes ammonia spikes and others say if you don't wash it, it will cause ammonia spikes. The sand is about six years old. Regular agitation but definitely dusty when things get moved around.

 

[KrisReef]

The sand rinse thread is a great resource.

From that thread, washing sand in tap water (right out of the hose, onto the concrete driveway in my experience) using a bucket, swirling, rinsing, repeating until all of the dust is removed has been provided the best results for my fish tank (I don't have sand in the reef) but I would use it where ever I had sand. Rinsing sand until it doesn't make dust does not impact the sand performance except going forward when you stir it up it will not make the dust clouds that you are now seeing when you do.

Rinse the sand, for the win!
EDIT_
Had to search it, hope this is correct link?

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/official-sand-rinse-and-tank-transfer-thread.230281/post-2679676

there.!

 

[MichaelReefer]

The sand rinse thread is a great resource.

From that thread, washing sand in tap water (right out of the hose, onto the concrete driveway in my experience) using a bucket, swirling, rinsing, repeating until all of the dust is removed has been provided the best results for my fish tank (I don't have sand in the reef) but I would use it where ever I had sand. Rinsing sand until it doesn't make dust does not impact the sand performance except going forward when you stir it up it will not make the dust clouds that you are now seeing when you do.

Rinse the sand, for the win!
EDIT_
Had to search it, hope this is correct link?

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/official-sand-rinse-and-tank-transfer-thread.230281/post-2679676

there.!

I guess my concern is others claim if you wash sand it reduces your beneficial bacterial?

 

[Fish Fan]

I guess my concern is others claim if you wash sand it reduces your beneficial bacterial?

Wash the sand with saltwater and it will have no ill effect on the bacteria.

Wash the sand with fresh tap water, and many of the bacteria will likely still survive.

I'd suggest saving the hassle and just replace the sand. That's what most people seem to do.

Good luck!

 

[exnisstech]

I guess my concern is others claim if you wash sand it reduces your beneficial bacterial?

It will unless you rinse it in saltwater but my understanding is that sand doesn't really hold a lot of bacteria. I've never bothered cleaning old sand and used new but I'm bare bottom in all but one tank now anyway. I struggle to keep sand looking nice.

 

[KrisReef]

I guess my concern is others claim if you wash sand it reduces your beneficial bacterial?

IF all you have is sand for bacteria media (no rock or outside filter media) then it might be a concern, but the washed sand still functions and is plenty bio-active after a bath. Those microbes seem to enjoy the rinse, as long as you don't use any soap, vinegar, or other chemical, the tap water (with chlorine) doesn't make a big dent, ime.

The live rock present in my fish tank and reef carries the vast majority of the microbial mat that is working in the system to keep the ammonia levels below stress levels for fishes.

 

[KrisReef]

Wash the sand with saltwater and it will have no ill effect on the bacteria.

Wash the sand with fresh tap water, and many of the bacteria will likely still survive.

I'd suggest saving the hassle and just replace the sand. That's what most people seem to do.

Good luck!

This is also true, but if I was adding new sand I would rinse it in tap until it made zero dust when stirred in the bucket. The dust isn't useful to the aquarium and should be removed before install.

 

[Fish Fan]

This is also true, but if I was adding new sand I would rinse it in tap until it made zero dust when stirred in the bucket. The dust isn't useful to the aquarium and should be removed before install.

For sure, I should have been more clear about that, but yes, I would certainly rinse new sand too. But at least you're not trying to wash years of fish poo out of new sand

 

[KrisReef]

For sure, I should have been more clear about that, but yes, I would certainly rinse new sand too. But at least you're not trying to wash years of fish poo out of new sand

I'm too cheap to buy new sand*, and so i siphon clean my sand every year or two. I feel I can get away with less frequent sand siphoning in my fish tank since I rinsed it 6 years ago. Rinsed sand resists clouding when stirred, with or without a large poo settlement load/ history.

IF you are squimish about fish poo, fresh sand from the bag, rinsed to remove all cloudiness will make life going forward much bettter, ime.

*Also, my local beach is losing sand so I am "saving the planet" by recycling coral sand in my aquarium.