To rinse, or not to rinse?

[number1gsxxr]

I'm upgrading my 46-bow front to a 75-gal soon, and I keep reading conflicting things about what to do with my existing live sand. Some say to rinse it in saltwater before adding it to the tank. Others say to use a new plastic dust pan to scoop the sand as is, and try not to disturb it as much as possible. Obvisouly I'll need to buy some new sand in addition to using my old sand.
The sand I have now is a little over a year old and about 2 inches deep. It's a fine sugar-size argonite sand. The new tank is going in the same location as the old tank so I can't really run both tanks at once.

 

[t316]

You can rinse...but the more you rinse, the more your "live sand" becomes "dead sand". You make the call.

 

[flower]

I have upgraded and moved my tanks...I always just scoop it up and transfer it with no problems. I never rinsed it.

 

[number1gsxxr]

Originally Posted by T316
http:///forum/post/3216532
You can rinse...but the more you rinse, the more your "live sand" becomes "dead sand". You make the call.
That makes sense. I think I'll just scoop it and forget it. If the water gets nasty I can always do a large water change and skim wet for a bit.

 

[btldreef]

I've never rinsed mine and dumped it from one tank to another. I think the confusion is over whether it's a deep sand bed or not. I think if you're 4" or less, you can just swap it over.

 

[spanko]

IMO you are just taking a chance. It depends on the age of the sand being moved and the CUC as to how much detritus may be contained in it.
Like said above a lot of people have no problem but then some do.

 

[number1gsxxr]

I have 2 clowns, 1 firefish, and 1 pygmy angel. So I have a pretty small bioload I'd say. I also don't feed very heavy. For CUC I have 4 nassarius snails, 1 fighting conch, and various other snails and hermits. I also never detect nitrate when I test my water (salifert). I'm gonna guess that I don't have too much detritus trapped in the sand, but you're right it's still a chance.