Live sand getting clumpy.

[pjos11]

I added live sand about four weeks ago and as you know it is very fine.
Over the last week I have noticed the sand getting compacted together in some places. I added two star fish and I have one flounder.

Is there anything you can suggest as to what causes this? Also what can I do to keep the sand looking good?

 

[Brenden]

Any pics? How large is the clumped areas? Are they a different color?

 

[bertoni]

That's fairly commonly reported. If calcium, alkalinity, or pH are high, that might encourage some clumping. Otherwise, more animals moving the sand (bioturbation) might help. What kind of live sand did you add? What kind of starfish are they?

I've had good luck keeping sand in good shape by stocking various detritivore kits ad similar animals, but they're not cheap.

 

[akrimmel]

^^^^^^^^^^
AGREED!!!

 

[pjos11]

I have tested the Calcium level today and its slightly low 380. The live sand I got from my LFS I really can`t say what type it is though I did not realise there were different types. The star fish I only bought yesterday and I cant for the life of me remember what type they are (doing well)

I think the fish are in this pic. I have posted a couple of pics of the tank as it is now for those of you that have been following my setup.

 

[pjos11]

I would live to buy a fish that sifts the sand but I was told that it would only get sand all over the corals.

Can I ask you also what you think about this?

 

[akrimmel]

yes a engineer goby buried some expensive zoo's i gave a friend and a few other corals as well so beware.

 

[bertoni]

I had a tank with two yellow watchman goby fish, and they did seem to keep the sand clean without throwing all that much sand around, but I might have been lucky. Certainly an engineer goby or some of the other sand-sifting goby fishes can crater a tank, from what I've seen. Each fish is an individual, though.

 

[3D-Reef]

To figure out whats causing the clumping.Take a clump and drop it in some clorox.If it breaks up,(back into sand)then it's a bacteria "glueing" the sand together.If it doesn't,then it is a Ca,Mag,alk issue.

I like the dragon goby for sand sifting.

 

[akrimmel]

3D-Reef

I like the dragon goby for sand sifting.

do you say this from having one?

 

[3D-Reef]

akrimmel,
I've got one in the DT.He takes big gulps of sand and sifts it about 2-3 inches above the sand.He doesn't go up very high in the water.And boy howdy does he move a lot of sand.
But,I may have just got lucky with this one.

 

[chrisstie]

While on the topic and not to steal the OP's thunder - are there any gobies that will pair up with pistols that are also considered sand sifters?

 

[3D-Reef]

I could be wrong,But I believe the diamond watchman goby or the yellow headed jawfish would go with a tiger pistol shrimp.I'd have to go look it up to be sure.