reusing rock and sand

[fran]

I just got a 55 gallon tank home and in it was sand and then outside of it was about 40 lbs of rock.The water wasnt circulating in the tank for around a week and the rocks were out of the tank for about the same time,do you think I should put everything in a big bucket and turn on the powerhead and let it run in some salt water for about a week to reacclimate it to use?Please let me know.
Fran:

 

[crazydante23]

Hello Fran, I would set the tank up and let it cycle for a while. Test in a few weeks and take it from there.

No livestock in the tank until cycle is over.

 

[MechaSamurai]

I second that, setup, test, wait, test, and then get a cheep hardy fish or two.

 

[sabazerehi]

if the rock and sand have been out of water or not in circulating water they're probably not live anymore which means everything will have to be cured. if you do use the rocks you'll have to wait a few weeks for them to cure again. or you can buy new live rock and live sand from another reefer (save some money) and have the tank up and ready sooner. either way works, you just have to be patient.

 

[fran]

You guys all give great advice but I may just take this rock and sand out and take all the rock and sand I have in my 39 gal.bowfront and just cure this in another container til its ready to add to everything.
Thank you again for all your great advice.
Fran

 

[sssmasss]

I just got a 55 gallon tank home and in it was sand and then outside of it was about 40 lbs of rock.The water wasnt circulating in the tank for around a week and the rocks were out of the tank for about the same time,do you think I should put everything in a big bucket and turn on the powerhead and let it run in some salt water for about a week to reacclimate it to use?Please let me know.
Fran:

let it cycle for about 4 weeks.. tested the water .. and then get damsels.. if they live over 2-3 weeks period then you are good to add fancy fishes... i am recycling my tank right now... btw.. u can used ur "dead" rocks.. just need to cycle them.. i myself added 2 pieces of live rocks from a local store to speed up the process...

 

[supmar85]

i agree with sssmasss, that is exactly what i did. i reused my live rock that i had in my patio and then let the water cycle for six weeks, then added the damsels

 

[fran]

well I just took all the sand and rock out of my tank and put it in an 18 mgallon container with 10 gallons of saltwater and threw a powerhead in there Jason from A.I.M. and I were talking and he said the same thing so next week I will do a waterchange and go another week,test the water and do it again for about 3 weeks or so and see where we are from there,as for the damsels I wish I could catch the ones in my 39 gallon bowfront to put in there but dont feel like tearing my tank apart.
Thank everyone again for such great advice,I am sure glad I found this site as everyone is so helpful.
What can anyone tell me about clowntangs?
Fran