Fish/invert to sift sand?

[Aquat]

I've been having diatom issues with my sand bed. My pump still hasn't came in to provide more circulation in the lower section (sand bed) of my reef. So, diatom tend to settle on top. I'm tired of having to manually turn over the sand myself but it does get the job done. I bought 7 Nassarius Snail to help. But they're slow and can't quite turn over the sand fast enough.

So, if anyone care to recommend me some sand sifting organism, please chime in! It's a 36g bow front by the way.

 

[Thekingy]

My yellow Watchman Goby does a great job turning my sand bed prob twice a week. I use to have the same problem your having until he went to work. Also he stays close to my sand bed and does not drop it all over my corals.

 

[Tradewinds]

A Diamond Goby will move sand sand all day long, at times maybe too much.

 

[CedzAquAddictio]

A Diamond Goby will move sand sand all day long, at times maybe too much.

+1. My sandbed stays clean, and my water stays cloudy. Love/Hate Relationship...

 

[Aquat]

No problem on sand floating around. The aquarium filtered 400 gallon every hour. I use micro-fine polishing cloth, Purigen, and Chemi Pure Elite to keep the water parameter in check and crystal clear.

 

[cakemanPA]

Fighting conch is my favorite sand stirrer

 

[SushiGirl]

We love our tiger sand conchs. Haven't needed anything else since getting them as a last resort (after nassarius snails & a sand sifting goby).

 

[johnike]

I have 3 conchs, best thing that ever happened to my sandbed.

 

[SaltwaterSensei]

I've always liked using conchs and sea cucumbers for my sand bed. Im not really a fan of the sand sifting gobies as they tend to strip the sand bed of its life. With the conchs and cucumbers they mostly just eat algae and detritus. Also nassarius snails are great, but they mostly eat carrion and its been my experience that if they don't have enough leftovers they can end up starving to death.

 

[downbeach]

How long has your system been running? What material did you use for substrate? How deep? Are you using RO/DI water?

 

[kimdawg]

I like the fighting conch as well. They keep my sand bed really clean looking.

 

[rogermccray]

I used to have a dirty sandbed, then I got "Merv" the diamond goby. Now my sand is pristine and it is very entertaining fish to watch.

 

[Aquat]

How long has your system been running? What material did you use for substrate? How deep? Are you using RO/DI water?

A little over 3 months. Everything is stable. Ammonia 0, Nitrate/nitrite 0, Phosphate 0.05 ppm, Calcium 400ppm. I store water in a bucket with a HOB loaded with Purigen and ChemiPure Elite. It's said to remove all phosphate, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite. I leave it there for atleast a week for top off and 3 weeks for WC. I can't afford an RODI unit. So I'm making the most of it

I'm using fine dried reef sand

 

[MuldoonJT]

The issue you have right now is selecting something that can survive. You started with dry sand instead of live sand so right now your sand bed might now have enough food in it to sustain critters that thrive on sand feeding. Especially if its a small tank

 

[Aquat]

I have 7 Blue Legs, 7 Nassarius, 1 Turbo. The Blue Legs and Turbo has been in there since week 4.

 

[rogermccray]

I put a diamond goby in my 125 with dry sand right away and just made sure to feed well and it was fine. I think you would be alright but can't say for sure.

Since your tank is so new you may just want to wait a month or so and see if your issues work themselves out. This type of thing is normal for a new tank.

 

[ptreef]

Tonga Nassarius snails!! Sweet to see them pop up to at feeding time

 

[Bashbro]

Yellow headed goby is the only thing that has ever worked for me. Works great and is fun to watch. Just be careful because they are jumpers.

 

[usmc121581]

A Diamond Goby will move sand sand all day long, at times maybe too much.

+1 although he doesnt make my tank look cloudy maybe due to the size.

 

[t4zalews]

my conch only stays on the top of the sand.