I bought a 125g from Northside Aquatics last night and I was wondering should I use the sand that is in it or start fresh? John
HIya, glad to hear you got the 125! That sand will definitely help you cycle the tank, but I don't know. I would almost say start fresh since you don't know what meds may have been used to treat that tank. Kim/Benton, AR
Definitely start fresh even without the consideration it's an LFS tank (I assume it's one of the coral sales tanks?) You don't know what meds have been used in it especially if it housed fish. All those tanks were full of aiptasia and detritus and phosphates probably abound. Always better to start with new sand IMO. If the sand has dried out any it's not really "live" anyway. All you need is a few bacteria from a piece of live rock or rubble....or if you're more patient, time as the bacteria are ubiquitous and will make their way to your tank without your help.
I went and pulled all of the sand out and removed several pounds of live rock that were buried in the sand. I also found a brittle star and a pistol shrimp, the shrimp died before I left the store though. John
