Can I use this?

[howardj]

I am setting up a 10 gallon tank, and am wondering if I can use this..
It is about 4.5 gallons of water I have from old water changes.
It is sitting in a 5.5 gallon tank w/ some "live" (probably not so live anymore) sand.
This tank has now heater, no flow, no light..
It has some small pieces of rock I have used to put frags on.
Question is:
- When I set up my 10 gallon tank.. Can I put this old water and sand into the tank?
I will be ordering Live rock from somewhere..
edit: there is extremelty noticeable detritus (sp.?) on the sandbed

 

[geridoc]

I wouldn't bother with the water. Such a small volume of water isn't worth worrying about - dump it out. You can use the sand, but don't' expect it to be live. Get live rock form a source, make fresh water and cycle the tank.

 

[howardj]

would there be anything wrong w/ using the water, though?

 

[rcoultas]

I agree - lose the water and keep the sand - you say detritus on sand? In an empty tank? Was it there when you put the water in or is it perhaps some diatoms that have grown since.

 

[rcoultas]

Originally Posted by HowardJ
would there be anything wrong w/ using the water, though?

You removed this water from another tank because it was either high in nitrates or getting low in nutrients - if those are diatoms growing I would guess it is high in nitrates. Either way with that small amount of used water it is not worth re-using it

 

[howardj]

I have the water leftover from weekly water changes..
Detritus is salt 'build-up', right? there is white build up sitting on the sand..