What do I do about bad-smelling live sand?

[sommisofish]

Hi, I left some live sand in a bucket for a little too long (with days as hot as they are in CA), and now they have a bad dead odor to them. I was wondering what I should do if I still want to use the sand for my tank?
Thanks!

 

[miaheatlvr]

Originally Posted by sommisofish
Hi, I left some live sand in a bucket for a little too long (with days as hot as they are in CA), and now they have a bad dead odor to them. I was wondering what I should do if I still want to use the sand for my tank?
Thanks!

IF i HAD to reuse it, and it was rotten I would wash it thouroughly wash it with some fresh water. If it isnt alot I would just toss it a get some more..

 

[cjason3041]

i would definatly allow it to cycle

 

[stanlalee]

if you want live sand might as well throw it out and buy new sand because it aint alive anymore. otherwise just rinse it thoroughly and you can reuse it as regular non live sand. perhaps receed it with a small amount of new live sand.

 

[sommisofish]

Okay thanks for all the advice. I will cycle it outside of the main tank.

 

[shogun323]

I wouldnt just cycle with it. If you have to reuse it as miaheatlvr said I would rinse it thoroughly with fresh water.

 

[stanlalee]

I agree rinse the hell out of it. you dont want all that dead matter still there. the aragonite sand itself (assumming thats what it is) never goes bad. I used the same crush coral in my 30gallon for the past 12yrs and its been put out of commission several times (years). If you rinse it good there shouldn't be enough dead stuff to start a cycle with. it will be simular to starting again with new dry sand.