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Reusing old sand ....really old sand

melly mel

melly mel

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I have a bin with about 100lbs of sand. I rinsed it and it has been sitting in storage for about 2 years. If i rinse it out really good again, can i use this for my next setup or should i save the trouble and just buy new sand? Where can I buy dry sugar sized white sand locally?
 
No Chemicals. Been covered the whole time. Any other precautions i need to take prior to adding to tank? Would i be ok after rinsing with with tap water and letting it dry or should I rinse with RO/DI water before putting in tank?
 
I re-use sand too when needed even collect sand buckets from people getting out; always rinse it, I use the hose and keep on running water until it comes out clear.
At one point I had like five or six 5G buckets full of sand from people giving it away; then paid it forward and gave most away.
 
I'm reclaiming sand that is approx 5 years old.....it turns out that the mice had a mini-condo complex carved out of it. After rinsing for what seemed hours I put it into a new holding tank to cycle with some new rock. I then added a some sand, water, and rock from an established tank to start the process. Even with the rinsing the ammonia has spiked almost off the scale and nitrites are pretty high as well (this is after only 2 days). I think the problem is with solid waste. The color and texture of the sand made it difficult to clean solids out. At least with nitrites this quickley it shows that there was some benefit from the addition of the sand/water/rock from the established tank.

Now the question: After cycling is this sand still good to use or have the mice contaminated it too badly? I have two good sized buckets that are destined for a 75gal tall with a 2 to 3 inch layer. I really don't want to have buy new sand.

-Gregory
 
I wouldnt use it if you had mice living in the sand. With whatever type of disease they carry, why would you risk it? I would only consider re-using old sand if it was stored in a sealed container where it couldnt get contaminated. If i were you I'd get new sand or find someone with extra. Thats just me tho. Maybe some of the big doggs here can give better advice.
 
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