New Setup, Ok To Use Some Old Sand?

[diamondgeezer]

Hi all,

New to this forum, and I'm glad it seems really active.

I used to keep marines about 8 years ago, and when I broke the tank down I stored the sand I had in some plastic bin bags with the idea of stating it up again. That time has come around again, and I am currently building up an 80 Gallon tank, with a sump, skiimer nitrator and refrigium; much more serious than the efforts previously made.

My question is related to the sand I kept. I have what amounts to about a 20 gallon bucket full. I had not looked at it in years, and see the sand which was in the middle of the bags in storage had gone grey! It also smells a bit. Despite this I have cleaned it up as much as possible by splitting the sand into several buckets and washing with a pressure washer. The grey sand has mixed with the normal colour sand and the effect, or look is much more dull than some newly purchased sand from a LFS.

Is this sand still safe to use? and is there a way I can restore the colour of it. I was temped to soak it in vinegar for a week or so, for better cleaning. At these times it's going be more economical to re-use it (If Possible) than purchase some new sand.

Many thanks in advance...

 

[rabbut]

I would have thought that it would be safe to use as it is after a good wash, though I'd await confirmation.

Don't soak Coral sand in vinegar. Coral sand is not inert, it will react (often farily violently depending on age) with any acidic solution (such as Vinegar) untill the acid is nutralised (stopping the Vinegar from doing it's job) or all the Coral sand has disolved. Have fun getting the Vinegar out of normal sand It would likely need loads of rincing....

All the best
Rabbut

 

[SkiFletch]

Wash it really thoroughly and it should be fine. As rabbut said, no vinegar or other acids

 

[diamondgeezer]

Wash it really thoroughly and it should be fine. As rabbut said, no vinegar or other acids

Thanks for your help, I will avoid the vinegar, and other acids. I did some further reading with regards grey sand, and after a while it's possible colour can come back eventually; so we will see how it goes.