Tearing down aquarium to store.

Question
I am tearing down my aquarium while I build a house.  Is there any way to save the 100 pounds of live rock and 200 pounds of sand without having to store in an active aquarium?  Or how do I clean the rock so that it is still usable when start back up?

Thanks
Kevin

Answer
Hi Kevin,
   The rock and sand you are saving have to be washed and rinsed in clear fresh water. The rock should be cleaned with a brush to remove all live growth and then set out to have any life in them, crawl out e.g. bristleworms, etc. If you don't clean everything as best you can and let it air out for at least 2 to 4 weeks it will contain life which will die off and smell pretty bad. The alternative, of course is to run a tank with enough water, circulation and maintainance [ filtration, occassional water changes ] to keep everything alive and well. The bacteria will continue to flourish if you wish to have it ready for fish, etc. No cycling or very little will be needed. If you start back up with cleaned sand and cleaned rock it will cycle like a new tank but eventually the growth will come back with a little "seed" sand and rock. It's the only way you'll be able to move the tank for relocation. Good luck, Gerry.