[bguile]

On yesterday, I removed the DSB from my refugium so that I could redesign my sump. I scooped off the first 1" of the substrate and put that in a seperate container to keep as my live sand. I scooped the rest into a bucket. As I was removing the sand I didn't notice really anything foul in the lower layers. In fact, a lot of the sand was still it's original color. Is it ok to place this sand back into my new sump as the bottom layer?? Thanks.

[kevinpo]

Yes it is. I have done so many times.

Regards,
Kevin

[Krom]

I concur just finshed doing the same thing myself

[bguile]

Thanks.

[johnny gray]

why dont you mix it with your new sand
wont it seed better

[SPasse]

Bguile,

The First inch or so does contain the lion's share of the higher order critters that populate a DSB. But I have observed worm tunnels that went a couple (or more) inches deep.

Bacterial processes predominate in the deepest layers so you may find that you see a nitrate spike until those processes reassert themselves.

johnny gray,

Many of the critters that inhabit the upper layers are rather fragile so there will be some die-off there as well. So this is also the reason why I don't mix the new/old sand together.

Re-establishing a DSB is a good opportunity to "re-inoculate" your DSB with various live sand starter kits and/or small amounts of live sand from other healthy DSBs

Regards,

Scott