killing sand? or will it go bad?

[jacobsdad09]

ok so i had a buddy break down his tank to down size and he put his sand in a drum to keep and try to get rid of via craigslist....fails so he say hey u can have it.....i take it (why not?)but then realize its in a drum w a little bit of water and i have no tank to put it in...it stinks now if i open the drum what do i do? will it keep till the spring when i set up a tank for it?

 

[meowzer]

Throw it out......
OR...bleach the heck out of it...and just use it as dead
I'd throw it out though

 

[jacobsdad09]

uhhh...its 60 lbs thats alot of cash to waste...but what would happen if i put it in?

 

[meowzer]

as it is???? IMO you would have a lot of troubles from the death in it....Like I said...Unless you totally bleach it and use it for dead....

 

[2quills]

Can't you cure it and re-use it?

 

[meowzer]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/388019/killing-sand-or-will-it-go-bad#post_3418915
Can't you cure it and re-use it?
That's kinda what I mean by bleaching it.....

 

[2quills]

Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///t/388019/killing-sand-or-will-it-go-bad#post_3418931
That's kinda what I mean by bleaching it.....
I always get leary when I hear the word bleach in relation to aquariums lol. I know it can be done safely it's just a mental thing with me. If there wasn't an issue with it before hand I don't see why it couldn't be placed in a tote with saltwater, stired every once in a while to release toxic build up and do a couple of water changes until all parameters are safe?

 

[acrylic51]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/388019/killing-sand-or-will-it-go-bad#post_3418948
I always get leary when I hear the word bleach in relation to aquariums lol. I know it can be done safely it's just a mental thing with me. If there wasn't an issue with it before hand I don't see why it couldn't be placed in a tote with saltwater, stired every once in a while to release toxic build up and do a couple of water changes until all parameters are safe?
Corey....You've never bleached filter socks, or old filters?????

 

[meowzer]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/388019/killing-sand-or-will-it-go-bad#post_3418948
I always get leary when I hear the word bleach in relation to aquariums lol. I know it can be done safely it's just a mental thing with me. If there wasn't an issue with it before hand I don't see why it couldn't be placed in a tote with saltwater, stired every once in a while to release toxic build up and do a couple of water changes until all parameters are safe?
LOL...I know......but it works
I always "read" that it is best to get new sand....or clean the heck out of the used sand....Just going by what I "read"

 

[2quills]

Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/388019/killing-sand-or-will-it-go-bad#post_3418951
Corey....You've never bleached filter socks, or old filters?????
No, I was told a long time ago not to go near bleach. I understand these days the methods that are used so that it can be done safely, I have just never had a need to bleach anything at this point. Mental baggage, remnants of the old days I suppose when it used to be considered a no no.

 

[acrylic51]

He$$ I was bleaching back in the mid to late 80's.......Sunlight neutralizes bleach, or rinse and air dry till you can't smell the bleach smell......

 

[2quills]

Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/388019/killing-sand-or-will-it-go-bad#post_3418975
He$$ I was bleaching back in the mid to late 80's.......Sunlight neutralizes bleach, or rinse and air dry till you can't smell the bleach smell......

Yes, that's what happens when you take lfs advice. From what I understand, dechlorinator helps to neutralize it as well.

 

[meowzer]

YUP...after bleaching let soak in water with dechlorinator works

 

[acrylic51]

I've never used dechlorinator.....I think some of the guys that have bleached their LR used it......But honestly sand I wouldn't even bother......the price of sand to me isn't worth the hassle.

 

[meowzer]

Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/388019/killing-sand-or-will-it-go-bad#post_3418983
I've never used dechlorinator.....I think some of the guys that have bleached their LR used it......But honestly sand I wouldn't even bother......the price of sand to me isn't worth the hassle.
LOL...That's why I said to throw it out in my first post

 

[jacobsdad09]

okie dokie what would happen if i put it in when i started? also what would happen if i left it out in the cold during winter would that killing everything instead of bleach?...and by cold im talkin its goin to start snowing before thanksgiving and goes till like march cold....

 

[meowzer]

I would still clean it....

 

[florida joe]

FYI every major public aquarium around the world uses one universal method for sterilization chlorine aka your common bleach

 

[meowzer]

Quote:
Originally Posted by florida joe http:///t/388019/killing-sand-or-will-it-go-bad#post_3419198
FYI every major public aquarium around the world uses one universal method for sterilization chlorine aka your common bleach
LOL...FYI....I got the knowledge of using bleach from Joe

 

[mpgt]

Pretty much the same thing just happened to me. I tried saving money by buying "LS" off a local craigslist ad. It's not live. Set the tank up 3 days ago with the sand and base rock from the same guy. I just now pulled the rocks out to even out the sand, and the water is all milky again, with an oily substance on the top, getting sucked into my surface skimmer to the canister fltr. The rocks don't smell great. Not sure if I should leave the sand and rocks in and see if it ever cycles, or start all over...or just forget the whole idea. I'm pretty disappointed.