How long will sand from an existing tank remain useful...

[Angry the Clown]

as a seed for a new tank? I have some sand from an established tank, still wet, that has been sitting for about two weeks. Got here while I was out of town on business.

I would like to use it to set up a temp tank... so my sister in law can FedEx me her fish while she drives out here... she's moving out here. I don't really intend on keep salt in this tank, I only need to set it up for holding her fish until she gets out here to setup their normal tank.

So how long will this sand remain viable? Is it still? Should I search for another source for seed material?

Thanks!
AtC

 

[afishyonados]

While it may have some biological capacity left, it may take up to two weeks for nitrifying bacteria to reproduce to functional levels. There is also a high probability of extreme spikes in waste, especially nitrites, from the stagnant anaerobic bacterial byproducts.