Basic DSB questions

[virginiadiver69]

I am completing my first set up and am going with a DSB. I am starting to think about my stocking plan and would like to know if burrowing fish such as jawfish will cause problems? What about so called "sand sifters"? Will they eat the critters that I am trying to harbor in by sand bed?

 

[virginiadiver69]

Bump

 

[virginiadiver69]

bump

 

[Burgman]

Hi,

Sand burrowing fish can cause problems mostly with the look of the tank. Some people don't like to see the burrows where a goby would live, some do. Sand sifting star fish will eat some of the micro critters out of the sand bed. But I think if you keep the number of sand sifters low they should not hurt the critter population all that much. Just don't go out and put 6 sand sifting star fish in a 55 gal. tank. Use some common sense......

Dave

 

[virginiadiver69]

I not concerned with asthetics. I 'm talking about the issue of burrowing fish disturbing the DSB and releasing any of the "bad stuff" into the water column. Could this be a problem?

 

[cristhiam]

Some gobies would cause a problem I guess the ones that like to dig everywhere, I have a jawfish that it's been in the same burrow for months, I have a 5-6" DSB, I also have a pistol shrimp that has many tunnels around the rockwork, so far no problems.

 

[virginiadiver69]

Bump

 

[antonsemrad]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9249921#post9249921 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by virginiadiver69
I not concerned with asthetics. I 'm talking about the issue of burrowing fish disturbing the DSB and releasing any of the "bad stuff" into the water column. Could this be a problem?

I say no.

Problems with sand beds are because of flow issues.

Keep the rock off the back glass. less is more.

Use prop pumps.

Jawfish article

 

[greenbean36191]

Sand sifters are an absolute no no with functional DSBs. That even includes hermits. You can get away with burrowing fish in a DSB, but you're sacrificing surface area, which is important. In a 125, it shouldn't be such a big issue.

 

[virginiadiver69]

Thank you greenbean36191.