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After a few deaths, I consolidated two of my tanks and dismantled the empty one. I don't want to set it up again since I will be moving this spring. How do you dry and store your gravel and decorations for use later? Or do you just discard the gravel?
Thanks

Hi,
I would wash the ornaments with a weak solution of bleach
then rinse throughly, dry, and pack away.
The gravel, I would wash throughly and then spread it out
to dry in the sun. When dry, I would pack it in bags and
store it.

That being said, unless there is some strong reason to
keep any of that stuff, I would simply discard it and
purchase new when necessary. It is too easy to have
something (bacteria) grow on the stuff while in storage
and then have some strange disease crop up after starting
a new tank.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Like Frank mentioned it might be best to just discard the gravel and ornaments due to possible contamination. It can be washed so if you're on a budget it is possible to save it. Most things will die out without a host, and with cleaning as was outlined before.

Rather than just tossing it in the trash, depending on the type of gravel it is you may be able to offer it to someone you might know that keeps houseplants (if you don't that is ). Gravel can be an attractive addition to houseplants. I'd suggest rinsing it first if you suspect contamination. If your looking to move I would suggest just getting new once you've moved. I usually keep everything and find new uses/reuse old things, but with a move to the other side of the planet coming up I've found I've been tossing a lot of stuff !


^_^

I agree with the other posters here, However I dont use bleach I simply use Aquarium salt and hot water. Also if you do keep the Gravel when you spread it out put it on Newspaper. It will help with water absorption.

mts.gif" border="0"> I vote do you?
My Tanks at Photobucket

I have done this before...

Washed in bleach water
rinse
rinse
rinse
dry on towels (make sure it's bone dry so you don't have bacteria growth)
store in tupperware container


When ready to use again I rinse rinse rinse

I know our local Petland will buy used gravel as well maybe try that if your not into losing out money.


Purple Osiris