expired live sand, throw it out?

[kelrn98]

I had plans to set up my tank much earlier than now and had purchased 3 bags of live sand, which I just noticed are expired by about 6 months. They have been kept in a constant temperature in my home the entire time. My tank is nearly done cycling. Would it be harmful to use this sand?

[3rotorFD]

i'd say just RINSE it a couple times and FEED it w/ some more live sand? are you putting LR in that new tank? if so i wouln't even worry about. just let it CYCLE for at least 3 weeks

[kelrn98]

That's what I was thinking as well. I have 110g tank in week 3 of cycle with 160# live rock. I was planning to add the live sand (the 3 expired bags) as well 3 other bags this week. Hopefully resulting in a 2 inch sandbed.

[3rotorFD]

just put it in and let it cycle. don't worry about it.....

[rkelman]

I wouldnt worry about it either. Let it cycle before adding livestock.

[Steven Pro]

I agree with the previous two posters. Don't worry about it. Just add the sand (no rinsing) and allow it to cycle. There was probably not that much live stuff in the bag to begin with anyhow.

[cilyjr]

i agree also. to get really good live sand just get a cup or to from an est. auqarium (that you trust) and place that in a couple of areas in your tank. sand will go live much faster than rock. IMO

[Dubbin1]

Yup just dump it in and let it cycle.

[Shagsbeard]

And quit buying the stuff... it's really only designed to help speed up a process that shouldn't be sped up anyway. Learning patience is a very important lesson in setting up a salt water tank.

The only reason I would ever use the stuff is for a tank that started completely sterile... no live rock, no grunge from another tank... no fish... just plastic furnature or what not. I'd still prefer to get the bacteria fresh from a healthy tank rather than from a bag at the store.

[hubris007]

Do you think the people that make that stuff can stop laughing while they are bagging it up? What a joke.

Get as much "dead" sand as you need from home depot, add a couple cups of sand directly from a couple few established tanks, some live rock, and a case of this:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y177/hubris007/patience.jpg

[dippin61]

yup.. put it in and cycle, as long you dont have any livestock you shouldnt have any problems.

[wolfpackgrl]

I agree