DSB Relocation

[dbartkow]

I starting a new setup and taking down an old one. There is a DSB in the old sump. Is there any issues with scooping it out and putting it in the new sump?

Dave

[Misled]

I wouldn't use it. You're gonna stir up a whole load of stuff when you disturb it. It will release all kinds of stuff.

[dbartkow]

Is there a way to reuse the sand, even for bottom substrate, or is it not worth the risk?

[Misled]

IMO not worth it. You can try to rinse and clean it but the stuff you kill of doing that just adds to it.

[schristi69]

I would take a bit and save it, wash the rest, put it in the sump and then add back the stuff you saved. I have done this many times with minimal issues. You may get a small algae bloom.

[mc-cro]

I would keep a scoop or two to seed the new bed, but other than that I would start with new sand. Absolutely do not just dump the old stuff in the new sump. cleaning it will remove the detritus and crud, but it is not going to remove the phosphates that are bound to the calcium carbonate. Which means your sand bed will not be able to continue to absorb the p04.