storing live sand

[tebstan]

I just got the sand I ordered, and two bags got busted open. I read a post recently about the horrendous smell if the sand sits for any length of time. I'm not ready to set up the tank until next week, so what is the best way to store the sand?
I have the bags taped for now, but it's oozing and tape won't hold. Once that seal is broken and air gets in, is it a lost cause to avoid the smell? I can put it in buckets with lids if that will help. I'm sure the sand will still be good, I just want to control the odor. It's already unpleasant.

[Bill S]

The odor from "live sand" is generally from that which has been in a tank for a while. The bottom of a sand bed is anaerobic, and quickly builds up that stinky sulphur smell. The addition of O2 quickly knocks out the anaerobic bacteria.

In any case, you should have nothing to worry about. If you want to dump it in a bucket, that's fine.

[robalv]

add a bubbler to the sand in a bucket of saltwater to aerate it that should keep the bacteria from dieing that where the smell comes from.

[robalv]

I have a small pump if you need it

[tebstan]

Thanks, robalv, but I think I still have some from my old FW tanks. I just have to find them. There must have been a leak in one of those bags before the big tear, for it to smell that bad already.

[MikeDeL]

I kept my live sand in an Oceanic salt bucket filled about 6 inches from the top with sand and the rest of the way with SW. Thats where the stink came from. Not much oxygen got to most of the sand. If you want to cut down on the funk store it in a wide container instead of something narrow, like a bucket. That way the sand wont be as deep.

[tebstan]

Two out of four bags have tears in them. (My bad.) How many buckets should I split the 40lb between? Lid or no lid? I've still got them taped shut since I've been busy all evening, but the tape def won't hold till Wednesday.