did I make a mistake?

[Sammy28]

So i've been experimenting with substrate in my new 55g tank.

First, I put down paper towel and 12inx12in slate tiles. After a week I just didn't like how the whole thing worked out cleaning-wise.
So, then I bought some play sand from Walmart (sorry I don't know the brand, I'm terrible), and put the sand down in the tank, leaving approx. 2ft of slate tile on top of the sand, the other half of the tank just sand.

Okay, I'll be the first to say I've done some dumb things, but when I bought the play sand, it was wet. The entire palet of play sand was wet. So I, and in afterthought regret, put the wet generic brand play sand in the tank. At the time, I thought if it's play sand I shouldn't have to worry about anything being in it that would danger my pet.

No surprise, but the sand after 3 days hasn't dried at all (go figure), and I'm starting to gain back some common sense that just poofed out of nowhere. This wet sand is dangerous for holding bacteria, right? and now it stinks in the tank. I've read this is common for sand, but not enjoyable for me.

Should I take the sand out and...dry it somehow? Juju won't go on it, probably because it's cold and icky, and I don't blame him.

-sam

 

[ScooterBlenny]

Eeeeew, yucky. I'm not a sand person, but I'll respect your desire to test out different substrates for yourself.

I'd get that stuff out of there, at least until you find a way to dry it. Remember that beardies' respiratory systems don't fare well in humid conditions...and a hot tank full of wet sand sounds pretty humid.

It probably needs to be spread out in order to dry - so maybe dividing the sand among a few rubbermaid bins so that it's not too deep in any one of them would help it to dry.

 

[shimmeriing]

that's a lot of work.. and I would think it'd take a long time for the sand to dry. But I'm no expert.
I personally, if wanted dry sand, would just go buy dry sand instead of dividing it up and drying it out.

 

[MissT]

I did the same thing about a year ago, in Abu's viv. The next morning, the viv doors were all steamed up and I couldnt even get a humidity reading - it was a disaster.... so your not the only one who has

done some dumb things