large substrate movers or cleaners

[dirk_brijs]

Have an aquarium with a larger grain substrate in it. Its like a 1mn++ stone sand mixture. Cucumbers are not an option and not sure if snails would dig in even.
Anyone any suggestion on what to add that could shake up that sandbed regular or something that would help keep it clean.....have been thinking about horseshiecrabs (tank is huge 3mx1m) or larger size hermits?
Any suggestions welcome....

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I have mixed substrate too, with some very coarse gravel, and my cucumber does fine. I like fighting conches, cucumbers and multiple, reproducing snails. Hermits are fine algae eaters if they have nothing else to eat. Once they get a taste of fish food they become useless, plus they kill snails, which are much better algae eaters. Pods can also help, believe it or not. Coarse gravel provides them refuge and food.

If you want your sand bed overworked and lifeless, sand-sifting gobies and star fish will do the trick.